What Do You Love About Yourself?

The first counselor I had challenged me to write a list of things I loved about myself. It wasn’t hard to list a few things off the top, but it got more complicated once I got past the first 10. She challenged me to think deeper. She began listing things that she saw in me, and then the list started to grow again.

I recently put a story on my Instagram page and asked my followers what they loved about themselves. Compared to how many people usually respond to me, only a few people responded. I even had to prompt some of my friends to respond and give themselves some love. It always seems to be harder to compliment yourself rather than others. Here are a few reasons why you may struggle with this:

“Be Humble”

Those of us who grew up in church have always been beaten over the head with the word “humble.” We’re taught to “be humble” at every turn, which causes some of us to shy away from giving ourselves the praise we deserve. We worry about seeming boastful or arrogant when you sometimes need to big yourself up. There’s nothing wrong with speaking highly about yourself and your accomplishments. There’s a point where a person can be too humble, and you begin to shrink yourself for other people’s comfort. There is no benefit to this.

You Don’t Feel Good Enough

If you have ever struggled with your self-esteem, you know that it’s an uphill battle. We are bombarded with images every day on TV and social media that have a strong ability to wreak havoc on a person’s self-esteem. If you are constantly comparing yourself to people’s edited photos and videos, along with the highlights of their lives, you may begin to feel inadequate. As they say, comparison is the thief of joy. It is also the result of a lack of trust in yourself. Low self-esteem has other causes, such as past traumatic experiences, childhood issues, and more. When a person feels less than, it is hard for them to see the wonderful things within them.

People Pleaser

A person that tends to put everyone and everything before themselves will always have a hard time giving themselves the love they deserve. Being “selfish” has its place. You have to know that you are worthy and make a point to put yourself first when necessary. Neglecting yourself and your needs is a betrayal, leading to even more self-esteem issues. When you learn to value yourself, you will honor yourself, which will make it easier for you to identify the great qualities you possess.

What Do I Love About Me?

Here is a small list of what I love about me:

• Intelligence: I was not an “it” girl when I was younger. So, my intelligence was something I worked on and relied upon to set me apart.

• Sensitivity: If you do not know me very intimately, you may not know that I am a very sensitive person. Sensitivity is often viewed as a weakness, but I see it as a strength. Allowing myself to feel enables me to relate and connect with others better.

• Compassion: I have a soft spot for the underdog. I am compassionate toward all living things, and I love that. It guides me in how to treat others.

• Beauty: This may be self-indulgent to some, but the facecard never declines. I come from good-looking parents, so we cute over here!

• Legs: This is probably many people’s favorite thing about me. I’m aware that they are one of my premier assets. I love working on them and seeing the progress.

• Eyes: This has been a recent thing that I’ve grown to love about myself. A friend of mine used to say I have “doll eyes.” They are dark and expressive. I love the way they look in photographs.

• Sense of humor: I am a fool, and I know it! I get it from my mom and her side of the family. She was absolutely hilarious in the most inappropriate way, and it was the best.

• Empathy: I feel very deeply for people and their struggles. I always try to hold space for my friends and loved ones to come to me. I try to be empathetic to them in the ways I used to wish someone would be to me.

• Smile: My smile is one of my favorite things about myself. And it means even more to me because it's one of the traits I got from my late mother. When I smile, I see her.

• Open-mindedness: I am probably one of the least judgmental people you could meet. I am a firm believer in the idea that everyone deserves to be happy. And if you aren’t harming anyone, do your thing! Live life how you see fit.

• Muscles: I struggled with this one because being a muscular woman is interesting. People sometimes see you as masculine because of it, even though you can’t help it. I’ve grown to appreciate my muscles and my strength. Working on them brings me a lot of joy.

• Faith: Over the years, I have grown a lot in my faith, and for that, I am grateful. It is what sustains me in times of need.

• Resilience: I have had a lot of challenging moments in my life, and I’ve always persevered. I am stronger and wiser now.

• Honesty: I pride myself on being honest. Being honest may not always be easy, but it makes life easier. It prevents a lot of unnecessary drama.

• Nurturing side: Children and animals love me. When my friends’ babies won’t go to anyone else, they will come to me. And whenever I go to the park, everyone’s dogs end up on my blanket. It makes me feel like a Disney princess, and I love it. I am also a professional-level cuddle buddy.

• Trustworthiness: I’ve been told by many people that something about me seems very trustworthy, and I don’t take that lightly. I strive to be that.

• Dependability: If I love and care about you, you know I got you! I am the person I want other people to be to me.

• My Walk: Fierce, dahling! I worked on it when I was younger. Miss Jay from America’s Next Top Model helped a lot!

• Wisdom: I’ve been told that I am very wise, and I love that. People come to me for advice and a listening ear all the time. It means a lot to me to be seen in that light.

• Writing ability: I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, and it has always been my go-to when I want to express myself. And now that I share my writing with the world, it is rewarding to touch people with it.

• Creativity: I am a creative being, and I love creative people. It just adds extra color and razzle-dazzle to the world.

Now, I challenge all of you to make a list of what you love about yourself! It is okay to bask in your own light. In fact, it is necessary. Let me know in the comments what you love about yourself!