Self-Esteem: Working at Liking You

Some time ago I wrote a short article about using the power of your mind to help lose weight. 

It worked for me because I have ‘worked’ on myself quite a bit over the years and have a belief in myself that many of us lack.  I am not saying I am ‘fixed’, I continue to work through issues the same as everyone.  However, a heart breaking message from a reader and sent me back to the computer to try to help face some of the many issues we all face. 

1. I am what I am – does not give you free rein.  It does not mean you can be horrible to your parents, friends or strangers just because… what it gives you is confidence and surety; it gives you acceptance of who and what you are.  Of course there is room for improvement, it is called life, and it is what we are all here for, to be better people, to learn life lessons and leave the world a better place.  That doesn’t mean saving the world, it means being the best person you can be and being at ease with who you are.
2. Look after the physical – eat a healthy diet, get some sort of exercise, walking cost nothing, is easy to do and takes only as much time as you are willing to give it.  Look after your skin and your clothes.
3. Pick the clothes that suit you best, not necessarily what is in fashion.  Society today is very free, and imagine, you may even set a trend by what you choose.  I see too many young girls with rubber tyres of fat on display from cropped tops.  They don’t suit them so why are they wearing them?  Whether they know it or not they will get as much ridicule from their peers for dressing inappropriately.  Layers look wonderful, and they are slimming.  You can still buy the cropped top but with a layer underneath it, you will look and feel a hundred times better. 
4. Buy clothes that fit.  Clothes that are slightly tight show up the bulges making you look fatter than you probably are. Trust me I know, I just have to look at my photo.  In fact it is a good idea to take a photo of yourself in your new outfit when you are buying it.  It is easy to do with digital cameras and gives you an accurate image of exactly how you look in, much better than in neon-lit mirrors. 
5. Emphasize your best feature.   For me it is my ears and my eyes so I wear nice earrings and have learned how to emphasize my eyes. 

This is not a definitive guide to increasing your self esteem but I hope it gives you a place to start.