Just a few minutes ago I happened to be in a situation where a very close friend of mine passed a comment stating something negative about herself. I then thought for a while about it and came to a conclusion that it’s indeed rare that I meet people who talk positively about themselves. I know a few who I can count on my fingers (and believe me I won’t fall short of fingers for it) who seem to be happily accepting themselves as they are. Don’t misunderstand me here as I’m not against self improvement at all. Working on yourself to become a better version of your own self is great and must be a part and parcel of our your life, as that’s how you grow as a human being. However criticizing, expressing dislike and hating constantly things about yourself fabricates self-hatred and negativity which is neither good for you nor for the people around. Here’s 5 ways how you can take tiny steps to start loving and accepting yourself:

1. Write down 5 positive things about you: Thinking about positive things and having them noted down on a sheet of paper helps you visualize the good things about you. It can be anything: People like your parents, siblings, friends, teachers or things like a home, your own room, your bed where you sleep, food that you can eat, or a day that you cherish. Visualizing is a powerful way to remember things, and when you visualize positive things related to your life you tend to feel confident and happier.

2. Compliment yourself at least once a day: This is one thing that I have learned pretty late in my life. We often compliment other people on their looks, the way they work, the food they cook and many other similar things. However, for yourself you seldom think about giving a compliment. How about, you get up right now and compliment yourself for something you’re proud of doing or having. Try doing this at least for a week and you’ll see the change.

3. Maintain an ‘I’m beautiful’ journal: Writing a journal can be one of the most satisfying and successful way to happiness. Take any register, diary or a simple copy to write down 5 reasons why you think you’re beautiful. Don’t restrict yourself to the outer beauty of your body but think deeper considering your being and your very soul. Beauty lies in each one of us, to find the ways how to appreciate our own beauty is the most easy yet difficult task to achieve. Writing down will help you see within yourself, beyond the flesh and bones you have. Life is much more than just this body and once you see how amazingly great you’re inside, you’ll begin to love yourself.

4. Say yes to your weaknesses: There’s no human being whose not got any weakness. Each one of us is scared of one or the other thing, incapable of certain things, bad at something, failed in some sense, but at the same time we’re master in few things and extremely talented in our own ways. Accepting yourself doesn’t always mean to boost your confidence and keep thinking about the good and best traits in you, but accepting that you’re flawed. Flaws are what makes you, the individual you are. Your flaws are as much yours as your strengths and accepting them proudly is not weakness, but wisdom.

5. Have right people around you: The people you are surrounded by influences you the most. Be it your childhood or adult life, the toxicity of people around you can make your life harder or the inspirational behavior of strong people can make it worth living. Peer pressure of being someone else and looking or behaving like someone you are not will crush your confidence and happiness. It is crucial to have strong, decent and positive minded people around you who not only uplift you, but motivate you to accept yourself and be a better version of it.