Okay, look. I’m going to be honest with you.
Some days, when I look in the mirror, I don’t like who looks back at me.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike what I saw physically. Mentally, I just felt… off.
I felt drained, unmotivated, and honestly mad at myself.
Life had kicked my butt one too many times that month. I was stressed about responsibilities I’d let pile up. Comparing myself to my peers made me feel like I didn’t measure up.
I knew something had to change.
You are not alone if you’ve felt like garbage about yourself at some point in your life.
What I’ve learned is that feeling better about yourself isn’t some magical moment where you snap your fingers and suddenly love yourself.
It’s the little things you do, say, and think about yourself daily that will add up and transform the way you feel about you.
I took notes of the small actions I did every day to love myself more, and when I say small, I mean small. The second I started doing them, I felt way better about myself.
So if you need a little push to feel better about yourself, follow along for 12 tips on how to feel good about you starting today.
How to Feel Better About Yourself: 12 Tips
1. Practice Self-Compassion
Do you ever catch yourself saying cruel things to yourself that you would never say to another person?
If you made a mistake, forgive yourself and move on. You are your biggest supporter, so encourage yourself and pat yourself on the back for trying.
Read also: 5 Effective Ways to Practice Self-Acceptance
2. Focus on Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses
We all have weaknesses, but when you spend too much time thinking about the things you lack or aren’t good at, you forget about all the things you are good at.
Jot down a list of everything you’re great at. All your accomplishments, skills, and wonderful traits. Think about times you helped others or received praise at work. These can be small things you do daily.
Once you recognize your strengths, you will feel more confident about yourself.
3. Surround Yourself With People Who Make You Feel Good About Yourself
You know the saying, kill them with kindness?
Surrounding yourself with good people will make you feel good about yourself. Negativity isn’t poisonous; the people who feed off of it are.
Remove yourself from any toxic friends or environments that don’t serve you and your well-being. Spend more time with friends who inspire you to be a better you.
Surrounding yourself with good people will reflect on how you feel about you.
4. Take Care of Your Body
You hear it all the time. If your body is healthy, your mind and emotions will follow.
Eat healthier foods, take your workouts seriously (even if it’s a 10-minute walk), and get your beauty sleep.
When you take care of your body, you are showing yourself you care enough about yourself to keep yourself healthy.
5. Set Small Goals That You Can Actually Achieve
You wouldn’t go out and run a marathon without training for it. So why do you expect to change your mindset and feelings about yourself overnight?
Take baby steps when trying to feel better about yourself. Set small goals that you know you can accomplish. When you achieve your goals, no matter how small they are, reward yourself.
This will create positive reinforcement and make you feel more capable.
Read also: 10 Peaceful Life Goals
6. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others on Social Media
Social media is like a highlight reel of everyone’s lives. Sure, they may seem like they have their lives together, but you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.
Take breaks from social media if you find yourself feeling inadequate because of Instagram stories. Focus on your life and how you can better yourself rather than trying to be like someone else.
Always remember that what you see on social media isn’t always real.
Practicing this will help you gain a better sense of self-worth.
7. Practice Gratitude Every Day
When you are grateful for the little things, you stop worrying about things you don’t have.
Every night before you go to bed, write down 3 things you’re grateful for that day. They can be as simple as your morning coffee or something as big as a promotion you received at work.
By practicing gratitude, you will feel happier and more thankful for yourself.
8. Learn Something New
Learning something new boosts your confidence. We place ourselves in situations that intimidate us because we’re good at handling life’s challenges. Know that learning something new doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor.
Take a cooking class. Learn to play a new instrument. Try a workout you’ve never done before.
Your brain will thank you, and you will feel more confident in your abilities.
9. Talk to Yourself Nicely
Listen to the things you say to yourself throughout the day. Are you being too hard on yourself?
Our inner dialogue is so powerful, and for the most part, we believe everything we say to ourselves.
Start to eliminate thoughts like “I can’t” and replace them with “I’m learning.”
Celebrate the effort, not just the end result. Use positive affirmations to talk yourself up.
The more you speak kindly to yourself, the more confidence you will have.
10. Declutter Your Surroundings
If your room is a hot mess, chances are you will mentally feel like a hot mess too.
Take some time to tidy up your room or space. Throw out any clothes or belongings you no longer use or love.
The cleaner and more intentional your space is, the better you’ll feel when you’re in it.
11. Celebrate What Makes You Unique
Enough with trying to be someone you’re not.
Stop trying to fit into the mold of what “good enough” is.
Celebrate what makes you, you. Once you realize everyone’s journey is different, you will start to love yourself more.
When you embrace your uniqueness, you will feel more confident.
12. Ask for Help If You Need It
Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you strong.
If you have done all of the above and still find yourself feeling down about yourself, reach out to someone. Talk to a friend, mentor, or family member about how you’re feeling.
If you find yourself feeling sad more often than not, you may want to reach out to a therapist or coach.
Asking for help will remind you that you are worthy of being cared for.
Conclusion
Feeling better about yourself takes time, but if you practice things like self-love, focusing on your strengths, and surrounding yourself with good people, you’ll be on your way to loving yourself in no time.
Remember, self-worth is something you can’t allow others to give to you. You have to build it daily by the things you say, do, and think about yourself.
I hope you found value in this article on how to feel better about yourself. Start incorporating these tips into your daily life, and remember even small steps will make a big impact.
FAQ
1. How quickly can I feel better about myself?
It depends on consistency. Small daily practices can show noticeable improvement within weeks, while deeper mindset shifts may take months.
2. Can self-care really improve self-esteem?
Yes. Taking care of your body and environment signals to yourself that you are worthy, which naturally enhances self-worth.
3. How do I stop comparing myself to others?
Limit social media exposure, focus on your progress, and practice gratitude for what you have. Recognize that everyone’s journey is unique.
4. What if I still feel low after trying these tips?
Seek professional support like therapy or coaching. Sometimes guidance helps uncover deeper patterns affecting self-esteem.
5. Is it normal to have bad days even while improving self-esteem?
Absolutely. Feeling better about yourself is a process. Bad days happen, but consistent effort ensures you recover faster and maintain perspective.
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