1. Write Down at least 10 things that you love about yourself.
With this exercise, try at least 3 specific things that you like about yourself physically, and 7 specific things you like about your personality. As you start to brainstorm these things that you love about yourself, a little "Negative Nancy/Norm" voice in your head may start to spew unkind feedback, such as "Your butt isn't that cute, since you have stopped going to the gym," or "You're not really a giving person, remember when you completely ignored that homeless man the other day." When that voice starts chatting, recognize that it is there and let your true self tell it to "Fuck off." You do not have to listen to every thought that enters your mind. Not every thought is really looking out for your best interest, some of them are purely destructive. The voice that is making it hard for you to feel comfortable uncovering things you love about yourself, is the same voice that tells you to "take another shot, you can be hungover at work tomorrow," or says "you can totally gossip about your best friend Kristen, she deserves it." That voice is not trying to help you be your best self, it actually gets satisfaction when you are your worst self. It is the voice that greatly contributes to your lack of self-worth. Choose to battle that voice. Right now.
Here is my list:
1. Eyelashes
2. My Good Posture
3. Pretty Nails
4. Affective Communicator
5. Confident
6. Nurturing
7. Helpful
8. Independent
9. Passionate
10. Spiritually Connected
To be honest, it makes me feel vulnerable to post these things because I don't want anyone to think that I am egotistical. But this list is about celebrating myself, and that is exactly what I want you to do too. Also, some traits might pop up, that you didn't even know you recognized about yourself, it's all good. Let that unexpected love flow out, and simply write down the first 10 things that pop into your head. This is just for you.
2. Now write some short explanations about WHY you love these things about your self.
* Eye Lashes - they are really long, they are really black, they make me feel feminine
* My Good Posture - its makes me feel graceful, unique and like a dancer
* Affective Communicator - I have meaningful and deep relationships with others, I avoid fights, I am able to make my expectations known clearly
* Confident - I feel grounded in myself, interviews/auditions are less stressful, it helps me trust my choices.
3. Now write down some ways in which you could enhance/highlight these things in your life.
* Pretty Nails - Go get a mani/pedi or treat yourself to nice lotion.
* Nurturing - Play with your dog or a friends dog, offer to babysit your niece, write your best friend Kristen a supportive email
* Helpful - Offer to buy that neglected homeless man a toiletry/his favorite candy, agree to drive your sister to the airport
* Independent - Go for walk/drive alone, take yourself to lunch or a movie
4. Write Down 5 Talents/Gifts that you are proud of or grateful for.
* I am proud of being a good performer.
* I am proud that I can write poetry that connects me to others.
* I am proud to be a good leader.
* I am proud to be a driven person.
* I am proud to be a positive person.
5. Now write down at least one thing you can do to highlight/enhance each of those Talents/Gifts.
* Performer - I can go take a dance class or warm up my voice
* Poet - I can post a poem on my blog or read Poe's "Annabel Lee" like I've been wanting to
* Leader - I can be extra patient when I am babysitting and a great listener
6. Write down 5 of your favorite things!
* Independent Coffee Shops
* Walks/Hikes in Nature
* Jazz Music
* Trying New Food
* Travel
7. You guessed it! Write down at least 1 way that you could add more of your Favorite Things to your life.
* Independent Coffee Shops - Go to Indian Road Cafe for a almond milk Latte!
* Walks/Hikes in Nature - Hiking trails in Inwood Park, take a run along the Hudson river
* Jazz Music - Check out the free afternoon jazz piano concerts in Bryant Park or Cleopatra's Needle
* Trying New Food - Go to Astoria for Greek Food, Hell's Kitchen for Ethiopian, The Heights for Dominican
* Travel - Go Apple Picking in the Catskills or even the Bronx Zoo!
8. Lastly, write down 10 things you are grateful for.
1. The good health and love of my parents and sisters
2. September weather in NYC
3. My personal good health
4. Billy's beautiful paintings that fill our apartment
5. Billy's love
6. My amazing girlfriends
7. My Grammy V.
8. My freedom
9. Our lovely apartment
10. You, for reading this!
So... lets recap, you have now discovered:
* 10 things you love about yourself and why
* 5 Talents/Gifts that you are proud of about yourself
* 5 of your Favorite Things in the whole world
* 10 things you are grateful for
That adds up to be 30 things that are awesome about you! You have SO many unique things about yourself and your life to feel worthy about and grateful for. The challenge now is to consciously keep them at the forefront of your mind. Don't let that destructive voice get you down, and choose not to listen to that voice that is within others as well.
Be bold, be brave and love yourself. You are worth it!
Jess
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