Create positive habits of self-care to replenish your mind, body, and spirit as well as your self-esteem and confidence.
Many of us are stuck working on the day-to-day grind and at the end of the day, we’re left feeling inadequate and unfulfilled. If you’re not intentional about how you live your life, it can be exhausting, depleting, and downright nasty, sucking the life out of you and beating you down.
What is Self-Care?
Anything you do intentionally for yourself can be considered self-care.
Often, we engage in self-care activities and don’t even recognize them – for instance, soaking in a relaxing bubble bath or enjoying a massage are self-care tactics.
It’s the “me” time we tend to overlook because we think it’s selfish, self-indulgent or we simply don’t have the time. We’ve also been told far too many times that we shouldn’t put ourselves first – that there’s so much we need to do, so many demands on our time, that we must put ourselves last on our own to-do list.
But we do have, and perhaps more importantly, we should make the time. Self-care doesn’t have to be 2 or 3 hour-long stints at a time. 10 – 15 minutes of self-care, including journaling, affirmations, and a short meditation session first thing in the morning can start your day on the right path.
Mindfully eating or having a coffee break with a good friend are also self-care activities. Don’t make (or continue) the mistake of denying yourself some much-deserved “me” time.
The Full Circle Effect of Self-Care
Imagine if doing something positive for yourself actually improved your self-esteem and confidence! This is exactly what happens when you are intentional about self-care activities. Yes, self-care restores and replenishes your energy levels and brings a sense of balance in an otherwise hectic world, but there are so many more benefits!
After, and even during, an act of self-care, you should feel less stressed and more refreshed. When you are less stressed, you are more productive.
You’ll be able to give more, produce more, and enjoy more. And when you are functioning at full capacity, you feel more confident and your self-esteem is increased. It’s simple logic, really, when you think about it.
The key is to think about it. To be aware of how the cycle comes full circle and how you can listen to the needs of your mind and your body.
Confidence and Self-Esteem Boosting Self-Care Ideas
Here are some ideas to help jumpstart your new routine of self-care. Self-care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and everybody is unique. Choose things that will boost your spirit, make you smile on the inside, and bring you joy and contentment.
Be Young Again
Remember preschool? Get in touch with your inner child and engage in some kiddie activities. Finger-paint, play hopscotch, or go to a park and enjoy the swings and slides. Eat a scoop of ice cream with whipped topping and sprinkles.
Play hide and seek with the kiddos. Act silly no matter who is watching. Do whatever suits your fancy, but be a kid again, if even for just a few moments.
Community Service
Giving back to the community stirs up all sorts of feel-goods. Those dress clothes just hanging in your closet that are never worn? Hand those off to a service that provides clothes for folks just entering the workforce. Spend some time in a nursing home engaging with the residents.
Offer to work in a soup kitchen or food pantry. The confidence we get from giving back is incredible. It’s impossible not to reap rewards from community service.
Change Up Your Appearance
We are our own worst critics much of the time. If you are tired of the same-old same-old? Change something up. Do something different with your hairstyle or try a new color.
Dress up your normal attire for the day and feel the boost of confidence oozing from your pores.
Ladies, try a bold shade of lipstick or wear that beautiful jewelry set you purchased, but which has never seen the light of day. Fellas, put on a nice dress shirt and ditch the ballcap for a sharp fedora. Choose a different tie that you would normally wear and add a tie bar or tie tack for a little extra oomph. Spritz on a little of the cologne you save for special occasions and revel in your newfound self-esteem.
Do Something Out of the Ordinary
A huge factor in gaining confidence is in conquering fear. Try something new. Something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. For some of us, this might look like eating alone at a restaurant. For others, it might be skydiving.
Remember, self-care is completely individual, and the point is to feel good during and after. When we feel more confident and secure in ourselves, life gets easier. We tend to adjust to life’s curveballs with greater ease when we feel good inside and out.
It’s time you learn how to take care of your emotional and spiritual needs, as well as your physical and social. Self-care sometimes feels selfish and self-indulgent, but it’s quite the opposite. You need to be whole and strong to share yourself. Life demands that we give, give, give, but you’ve heard the old saying,
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
— Norm Kelly, Canadian politician (from Quote Catalog.com)
But what are we really giving if we aren’t complete? Do yourself the ultimate favor and intentionally practice self-care habits to increase your self-esteem and give a powerful boost to your confidence. It will serve you, and others, well.
Affirmations to Boost your Self Esteem and Confidence
I live my life free of concern about what other people think about me.
I make my decisions for myself.
I will enjoy life and forget about what others think.
With each passing day, I become more confident.
I have, I do, and I will always love myself.
With every passing day, I worry less and less about what other people think.
I maintain a positive mindset and I am a happy person.
I accept myself. My self-acceptance is natural.
