Do you respect yourself?

Being honest and kind with yourself not only gives you the ability to experience positive emotions such as joy, compassion and love but it also gives you the energy to support others.

It all starts with you.

But, practically speaking, how do you show yourself respect? What does it look like? Here are five practices to try.

Be Honest About Who You Are

Many of us go through life trying to be the person other people want us to be. We get a certain job because that’s what we’re supposed to do, and we choose a certain partner because “that’s the type of person we should be with.”

There’s just one problem with this approach: it’s not authentic. You’re doing things in life that are not a true extension of who you want to become.

Being honest about who you are is the first step towards showing yourself more respect. When you stop living the life that other people have set out for you and start living for yourself, things change tremendously.

Learn To Say No To People

Learning to say no is one of the biggest things you can do to show yourself respect. You don’t have to continually go along with what other people want you to do. Instead, you can choose your own path.
Learning to say no actually gives you time and energy. When you refuse to help people or spend time with them, it frees you up for the things that matter most in your life.

Choose A Respectful Partner

Many people get into disrespectful relationships. Their partner doesn’t support or cherish them. Instead, they bring them down.

It can be scary to break off a relationship, but it’s also necessary sometimes. If your partner doesn’t respect you, then it can lead to you no longer respecting yourself.

Get a Team that Supports You

Sometimes we have to face our fears or navigate challenging situations— but we don’t have to do it alone. If you faced something like a divorce or lawsuit, get a team in place to support you. Use the best legal services in town if necessary, and never give up. If you’re going through a career change, move, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a loved one, consider finding a therapist. And if you have a physical recovery from a trauma, be sure to find a team of doctors and healthcare providers that you trust.

Let Today Be Enough

Sometimes, we can get into the habit of being overly self-critical. We look at our lives and imagine that they could have progressed further than they have.

These thought patterns are a subtle form of self-attack. You’re coming down hard on yourself because you didn’t get more done.

The solution to this is to take each day as it comes, one at a time. Just make sure that you move yourself closer to the life that you want every day, even if it is by a small amount. Be kind to yourself and recognize the power of this moment you’re in. You’re right where you need to be.