We all have our insecurities, those small imperfections that we analyze with a microscope. We’re quick to overlook other people’s flaws, but we can’t get past the ones we see in ourselves.
What’s the solution for that? How can we overcome the self-consciousness and embrace the beauty of our imperfections? Check out these self-esteem boosting strategies from Urban Balance.
Let’s Talk about Golf Balls
When golf balls were first developed, they had smooth sides. Golfers began to notice that their old, dinged up balls performed better than the smooth new ones. Over time, researchers realized that the dings improved the balls’ aerodynamics – the flaws made them better. Manufacturers eventually added divots on the surface of golf balls to enhance their performance and improve the sport as a whole.
Every obstacle you overcome, every challenge you face, and every imperfection you have only adds to your success. Think of all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, and how your aesthetic flaws separate you from the crowd. There is someone in the world who would love to have ‘imperfections’ just like yours. Embrace the fact that you’re a golf ball in the making.
Golf Balls Not Your Thing? How about Wabi-Sabi?
If the golf ball analogy didn’t ‘hit a hole in one’ for you, let’s try a different approach. In Japanese culture, there is an art form known as wabi-sabi. It has been around for centuries. When a plate becomes chipped or cracked, it is not discarded like trash. The cracks are filled with metallic materials to accentuate their details. Wabi-sabi celebrates imperfections because no two are exactly the same. You possess that uniqueness in your own life, and you should be proud of what it’s helped you become.
Self-Esteem Boosting Strategies That Actually Work
Now that we’re in the right frame of mind, let’s try some real-life confidence building exercises.
- Maintain a healthy sleep routine. Sleep reduces stress, increases energy levels, and improves your appearance. If you wake up after a solid night of sleep, you feel alert, healthy and productive. Sleep is a key element in depression treatment, and it’s something you can achieve with a few lifestyle adjustments. (Check out Six Tips for Better Sleep)
- Create a morning mantra. This is a simple saying you go through every morning to get yourself ready for the day. Take a cue from the movie The Help, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” Remind yourself just how special you are, and take control of the day from the start.
- Put effort in something you don’t normally focus on. This could be a dash of eye makeup one day or a quick closet organization the next. It doesn’t have to take long. Spending 5-15 extra minutes on a new task will make you feel proud and accomplished.
- Set achievable goals for yourself. If you have unrealistic expectations, you’re always going to feel disappointed. Instead, set realistic and achievable goals that you know you can accomplish in a day.
- Eliminate negative influences in your life. That nagging voice in the back of your head is a combination of voices you’ve heard in the past. If those people are still around, distance yourself from the toxic ones. This may be friends, close family members, peers at work, or even celebrities you’ve long looked up to. Get rid of the negatives and make room for the positives.
- Talk to a therapist. Your therapist will work with you one-on-one to find self-esteem boosting strategies that work for you specifically. You can bring closure to issues from your past and learn how to retrain your brain to eliminate negative thought patterns.
To get matched with a therapist near you, contact Urban Balance at (888) 726-7170. We offer individual counseling, couples counseling and family counseling for adults, teens and children. Our therapists have high referral rates, and we accept most insurance plans. Give us a call to learn more.