Life has a funny habit of throwing its expectations on us. It tries to turn us one by one into the images that the media wants us to be. The media and it's influence are all around us and it is practically inescapable these days, due to the impact of social media and its connections that are intertwined within our day to day lives. It's time to disconnect and find what truly makes us filled with joy. At the same time, we can learn how to accept our differences instead of trying to change what sets us apart. Here is a list of five suggestions to help with accepting ourselves and purging the negative influence of the media on our self-esteem.

1.) Disconnecting from the social media world.

This is a seemingly easy task, but tends to be difficult due to how we are constantly connected to the world around us. This can be a great thing, but can also wreck havoc on our self-esteem. We often log onto our various social media accounts and compare ourselves and our own lives to the people who pop up on our news feed. We invalidate our own accomplishments and strengths and wish for another person's life instead. Log off, take a break and appreciate you!

2.) Make a List.

It's time to focus on you. Sit down and pull out a sheet of paper and listen to the silence. Start to compile a list of your greatest attributes, accomplishments, and strengths. This is you. You have the ability to change and grow, but appreciate who you are at this very moment in time and how far you have already come. You possess things that many others do not.

3.) Do what makes you happy!

Again, this also seems to be another seemingly easy task to accomplish, but can often be a difficult thing to do, because of the guilt that can come from outside forces on our choices of enjoyment. This is all about you! Ask yourself the question of what makes you happy and go and do it without any guilt!

4.) Find a way to express your individuality.

This can be done in many different ways, however you see fit! You can do this by expressing through art, music, writing, even altering your physical appearance. It's time to embrace yourself and who you are without outside pressures filling your head.

5.) Friends, Friends, Friends.

Make sure to surround yourself with those who love and support you just the way that you are. Surrounding yourself with positive influences and a strong support system can make a world of difference. Friends see the best in us and accept our lovable quirks.

When all is said and done, you and who you are is important and is of a great value. Disconnecting and doing soul searching can help to set you down the path of finding yourself once more.