Building a Positive Self Image Starts With You.
by Joi Harris
How do you see yourself? That is one of the most important questions that a person can ask themself. We are all have a mental picture of who we are, what we look like and what our talents are. Our lives and everyday experiences help shape how we view ourselves and that is what is called a self image. Our self image contributes to our self esteem which is how we feel about ourselves.
This is why it is so important to have a positive self image. If you view yourself in a positive way, you will feel better about yourself and that will reflect in the way that you live your life. There are ways to build a positive self image because sometimes lets face it its easier said than done.
The most important thing to remember is that you are enough. The media can show an unrealistic picture of how people should look or act and you may feel like you have to live up to that standard. Understanding that you are unique and that you are enough just as you are is the first step to building a positive self image.
The next thing to remember is that you have people who care about you and accept you. Your family and friends love you just the way you are and want you to be happy and grow up strong. That is just as important to them as it is to you.
Building a positive self images means understanding who you are. What do you like ? Do you like to read? Do you like to draw? Do you like to sing? Think of your talents, your strengths and your dreams and use those to help you develop your sense of self.
There are even clubs and programs that you can get involved in so you can get a sense of community and a place to make friends. Organizations like Girls in Power bring girls together in an environment that builds self esteem and prepares girls for their futures.
Girls in Power offers programs that discuss body images and how to develop a healthy lifestyle as well as learning about the negative effects of low self esteem. How we view ourselves plays a major role in not just how we treat ourselves but in how we treat others.
Here is a video from three lovely ladies as they discuss what it takes to be yourself, to be happy and to begin building a self image that is positive and beautiful. Jessica Lizama, Nikki Phillippi, and Miranda Mayo star in the video and talk about some issues that affect us girls and what we can do about them. Watch the Video HERE
After you watch the video discuss with your family and friends about your self image. How do you see yourself? How do you feel about yourself? Look in the mirror and make sure you say hello and remind yourself that you are special and you are enough.
Get more information about Melinda’s Coaching Programs HERE
works and how we can learn to create one. She says that “life is like a jar of rocks” and that once we know how to put each item in its correct place, we can then handle most anything life throws at us. Melinda believes the jar contains four items and describes what each of them represents to give us a better understanding of her metaphor. Below is how she describes them:
Once we have taken this time to identify what each item represents to us, we can then start to place them inside of the jar. Melinda says we need to make sure that our “big rocks are laid down first… and the little pebbles are on top.” The reason for this is because if we put the sand or pebbles at the bottom of our jar, the weight of our big rocks will cause the foundation to move and eventually fall apart. But if we place the big rocks at the bottom they will stay firmly in place to create a strong foundation because the pressure from the pebbles and sand isn’t strong enough to make our big rocks move.
Good Question! Melinda describes boundaries as “imaginary lines that help you protect yourself both physically and emotionally.” That’s a pretty cool way of thinking about it, don’t you think? Imaginary lines?
For example, some of my friends and family, well… let’s just say they can be a little nosy at times. They want to know certain things about my life which I’d rather not share, and it makes me feel uncomfortable when they ask about it. So, you know what I did? Yeah, you got it. I set some boundaries and limits!
ding their bullies.”
