Actively work to find love for every piece of your identity, as this self-love will build confidence and enable you to set boundaries against external negativity.
To build self-esteem and self-love, look in the mirror daily and practice saying one positive thing about yourself, starting small and gradually adding more. This creates a barrier against negative external narratives.
Stop the habit of immediately saying negative things about yourself when you wake up and look in the mirror; instead, intentionally practice saying positive things to build self-esteem.
To prevent self-love from becoming conceit, set daily reminders to ‘keep the compassion up, ego down,’ ensuring your self-affirmation is for personal protection and safety, not to feel superior to others.
Challenge societal norms that discourage men from showing emotion; recognize that vulnerability is a strength and can lead to deeper self-love and confidence.
Counter the societal pressure to constantly be busy by slowing down and asking if your current activities, careers, or relationships truly make you happy and feed your soul.
Remove yourself from comparing your life, achievements, or relationships to others, as comparison steals your joy, self-love, and appreciation for your own capabilities.
Be mindful of your own self-talk and self-love practices, as children mirror parental behavior, and your actions directly influence their self-perception and self-esteem.
When facing criticism, write down the criticism and then write down what you did to make real change; this process helps evaluate your intentions and actions, rebuilding self-esteem by aligning them.
When feeling criticized or lacking confidence, reach out to a small, trusted group and ask them to ’love you a little bit louder,’ allowing their support to provide the emotional fuel needed to get through tough times.
Serve others and witness their joy, as this emotional contagion will inadvertently change your own mood, rebuild your self-love, and remind you of your own positive qualities.
Avoid making resolutions that stem from hating your current self or body; instead, fall in love with where you are now to appreciate every step of your growth journey.
Instead of traditional New Year’s resolutions, set emotional goals like trusting yourself more or becoming more compassionate, allowing for a flexible, self-loving journey of growth without pressure or guilt.
Practice meditation to gain insight into your thought patterns, unexamined assumptions, and self-narratives, which is crucial for motivating yourself without resorting to shame.
Invite friends and family to join you in challenges like meditation, using mutual notifications to kindly keep each other accountable and supported in your practices.
Participate in a structured meditation challenge, like the free 21-day program, to learn and practice self-love, self-compassion, and self-acceptance, building resilience for sustained healthy change.