Life can knock you down so don’t knock yourself down. It’s cheesy, but it can be the difference to your overall well-being and can be the thing that can open and close doors for you. A good way to start seeing yourself in a better light is to quit worrying and basing your self-worth on things that really don’t matter in the grand scheme of life. What things are those, then?
- Your looks. Looks are fleeting, they’re temporary and you did absolutely nothing to determine how you’re going to look, so stop scolding yourself for not being as pretty as Jennifer Lawrence or patting yourself on the back because you got tons of likes on your selfie. Besides, people who judge you strictly for your appearance aren’t really people you want to hang out with, anyway.
- Your weight. Like looks, your weight is temporary because, as we all know, it can fluctuate depending on your current situation or eating habits. But just because you can’t run a marathon without barfing on yourself at the ten mile mark doesn’t mean you’re a bad or awful person. It has nothing to do with who you are and everything to do with the fact that the only marathon you can participate involves Netflix and Game of Thrones. And that’s fine!
- Your age. You know what’s happening right now? You’re totally aging. You’re getting older by the minute. You know that last sentence? You’re older now than you were when you read that. It’s not a crappy superpower that only you have. EVERYONE AGES. Don’t minimize achievements in your life over some random number you’re given every year.
- Your relationship status. There’s a reason there are a lot of articles reassuring singles that it’s okay not to have someone, because let’s face it: sometimes it does suck to be alone. But just because you aren’t with somebody at the moment doesn’t mean that you’re not as capable, smart or as personable as those who have a boyfriend or husband. It simply means that you’re in between relationships and you don’t have to fight anyone for the remote.
- Your family history. Another thing to add to your list of stuff you have no control over is your family. Good people are born to crappy families all the time. You are NOT your drug addict cousin, your drama queen mom or your drunk uncle, nor are you in any way responsible for their crappy behavior. It certainly isn’t a reflection on who you are. You’re a separate entity from your family, so don’t feel like their bad reputation is yours to bear.
- Your shady past. A questionable past doesn’t mean you’re doomed as a person. Irresponsible high school or college you is not the same person as current you, who now has a steady job and a savings account. You’re an improved version of yourself and that’s who the world sees first, not your past. Let it go.
- What others think/say. There are always going to be some people who love you, some who think you’re okay, and some who think you’re annoying. In the end, people around you are going to think what they’re going to think, so who cares? Just do you. Do you hard.
- Your social media presence. So, your selfie got over 100 likes! Yay! But… so what? How did it change your life, exactly? Is that an ‘achievement’ you want to boast about on your gravestone? If you didn’t picture that in your head and immediately laugh at how ridiculous that would be, it’s time to step away from the phone and mingle with real people you can’t ‘like’ or swipe right on.
- Your financial status. If the likes of Dan Bilzerian, Kanye West, or Justin Bieber prove anything, it’s that having money DEFINITELY does NOT mean you’re a better person than everyone else and vice versa. Because if money did make you a better person, TMZ would have footage of Kim Kardashian helping out at a homeless shelter every week. Rich, poor or right in the middle, how much cash you have in your pocket or brand shoes you own isn’t a gauge on what type of person you are.
