Having confidence in yourself completely changes your entire outlook on life. We've all experienced those moments at the gym or beach, where we compare ourselves to those around us. We're constantly being shown what we should look like or act like and it can be damaging. Of course, there's no easy fix, but here are three things that I've learned.
1. Stop comparing yourself to others
We've all done it. Someone posts on Instagram their beautifully sculpted body and we start thinking negatively about ourselves. Someone gets a higher grade on a test or gets the newest iPhone. Everyone around us is getting engaged and we're still single. Everyone's life around us starts to look better in comparison to our own. We let doubt start to set in and we question ourselves.
What we need to remember is that, who we are today is made up of who we are from every other yesterday. Everyone has to start somewhere and the only person you should compare yourself to is the person you once were. Who you are in the past is not who you are today and you should be proud of that. Appreciate where you've come from and how much you've grown. It doesn't matter how much someone else has or what they look like, you've got your own life and journey to live.
2. Celebrate your successes and milestones
Celebrate the small accomplishments and don't let anyone belittle them. If you took that first step to be healthier, went to the gym for the first time or re-enrolled in classes, celebrate that! Don't doubt yourself because of where you think you should be, celebrate those first steps! Trust in the process and believe you'll get to where you want to go. Rome wasn't built in a day, but I bet they sure got a lot done! So go and take those first steps and take time to celebrate them!
3. Forget about perfect
Love yourself for who you are. None of us are perfect and are ever going to be. Get rid of whatever image you have in your head of who you should be. Always have goals, but don't sacrifice happiness because you aren't where you want to be. One of my favorite quotes is by Henry David Thoreau. He said:
"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."
Focus on your goals, but enjoy the journey while you do it. Your happiness should be your main priority. Forget that perfect image you have of yourself and start loving the one in the mirror.
