There can be so many ways that we can feel like we aren’t good enough. We may feel that we have imposter syndrome, that we don’t deserve to be where we are in the workplace or who we are friends with. We can feel unsure of living life as authentically as we want to be, for fear of judgment and criticism of others. However, learning to love yourself is something that is so important, as well as embracing who you are. 

If you find yourself feeling like this, then it is important to take some steps to help. Your life can change dramatically when you love yourself, trust yourself, and can fully embrace yourself for who you are. There are podcasts, blogs, and books that can help, but here are some things that could get you started.

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Embrace being a work in progress

We can all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect. But we can waste so much time and energy with this, as it isn’t something that is realistic. We aren’t perfect, that is a fact, so embrace being a work in progress and you’ll have a much happier life. Pick yourself back up if things aren’t going your way, and learn from mistakes that are made. 

Change things you can change

By embracing who you are, you may want to change some aspects in your life. It might be time to break up from a toxic relationship or friendship, in order to really feel free, true to yourself, and live life in the best way that you can. There may be some other aspects in your life that you want to change, such as a haircut, trying something that you’ve always wanted to, like getting silicone plugs for ears, or trying a new style of clothing. If you want to embrace yourself and love yourself, then there are definitely some small and simple ways that can get you in the right headspace to do just that.

Let go of what is out of your control

If you put a lot of pressure on yourself to say the right things and do the right things for the people around you, then it is a big weight to carry. You shouldn’t be taking a burden like that yourself, especially if your happiness comes at the expense of someone else. You can only be responsible for yourself and your own actions, not those of others. It can be a hard thing to do, but if you start to focus more of your time and energy on helping yourself to live in a way that reflects your own personal values, rather than trying to control that of other people, it can make a big difference in your life. 

Allow time for fun and enjoyment

It can be easy to feel guilty if you take some time out to do something fun. After all, there are always other things that you can be doing from a never-ending to-do list. The thing with hard work and sacrifice is that it isn’t something that has to take over your life. If you want to live life to the fullest and embrace who you are, then you need to take time for fun, and not wait until you think that you deserve it. So put aside some time in your schedule to do something that you really enjoy. It could be exercise, walking, crafts, singing, reading, or a range of other activities. Having fun and enjoying life can give you a rest and help to energize you, but it will also remind you that you are worthy of self-care and looking after yourself; you’re not an afterthought. 

Be vulnerable with others

If you dislike yourself, then it can be an easy excuse to stay away from others. You may only try to show a version of yourself that you think they are going to accept. Rejection and fear of that can be hard, especially if you think you’ll be on your own if they accept you for who you are. 

Letting someone else see what bothers you, lifts you up, fears that you have, or what can disappoint you, can be hard. Although we are all human, it can be hard to let others know that we are, if that makes sense? Not showing off vulnerability can be hard, especially if you hate yourself. You’ll just think that they will too.

Small things can make a difference in how you see yourself, and help you to really embrace who you are. It can be a long road for some, but definitely worth it.