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Five Things I Like About Myself: Practising Self-Compassion

Over the next week or so, my support worker asked me to list some things I like about myself. I tried doing it on the phone with her but felt too embarrassed. Why is being nice about myself so hard? Probably because I've had years of being awful to myself, and others being the same way.

No matter how hard it is, today I'm going to show some self-compassion. I'm going to list at least five things that I like about myself. There's no doubt that I may struggle with this and I'm nervous about posting it on the internet. But self-compassion needs to be a more accepted thing. How we view ourselves matters.


1. My Eyes

I'm going to start with my eyes as I've spent a long time hating them. In the past, I've researched how to make your eyes appear bigger, I've tried eyelash growing serum. People have called them "Asian eyes" as if that's some kind of insult (don't worry, I don't associate myself with people like that anymore). But how lucky am I? Asian eyes are beautiful.

Of course, I have to mention my eye colour as well. Sometimes, they're so dark that they're almost black. Someone used to say that I have Rottweiler eyes. Again, what luck - Rottweilers are adorable. And then in the sun, they glisten and a golden brown comes out. Brown eyes are amazing.

2. I'm a Hard-Worker

There's no denying that I work hard every day. Things haven't come easy for me in life, as is the case for most of us. I'm determined to get to where I want to go, despite coming from a poorer background and suffering from my mental health which has often hindered my education. Nearly every day I am tapping away on my laptop, writing something new or working on a project. I've almost finished my university degree as well. I know that no matter what the outcome, I've worked hard.

3. My Willingness to Learn 

Whether I'm learning a new skill or learning from a mistake I've made, I'm always willing to learn. Over the years, I feel that I've really grown as a person and learnt from my wrongdoings which I'm really proud of. If my actions have hurt someone or annoyed them, I make sure to act better in the future. Equally, if something I've done has hurt me then I'll change that too.

I also love how I'm more willing to learn skills outside my usual area of interests. In the past, I never had the motivation and that was partly down to my mental health. However, nowadays I enjoy learning more about how politics work, I love watching documentaries and I've even started learning Spanish.
  
4. How I Stand Up for My Beliefs

Although I have taken a step back from politics for now, I do love how I stand up for what I believe is right. This is something else I'm still learning about. In the past, I would be quick to anger but now I try to remain as calm as possible. I like that I try to keep debates as kind and healthy as possible, even if some people don't do the same to me.

5. My Strength

Over the years, I've been through a lot, to say the least. I admire how even in the darkest of times, I have powered through. Even when I wanted to end my life, I've stayed alive. I continued on with education, even when things have been tough. More recently, when I've wanted to harm myself, I've refused to do so and instead had a bath or read a book. During lockdown, I've tried to remain as positive as possible.

Above all else, I can say that I am brave, and I am strong. No one can ever take that away from me.


I encourage you, dear reader, to write at least five things that you like about yourself. Leave them in the comment section or just write them down in a journal if you prefer to keep it private. Practising self-love and self-compassion is so important for our mental health.


Five Things You Like About Yourself

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Until the next time,

Char
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