Friendships are meaningful; we treasure our friends and what they bring to our lives. What do you think about your relationship with yourself? Do you feel like a good friend to yourself and support your well-being?
How do you treat your friends?
- Do you check in with them regularly to see how they are doing?
- Do you let them know you care for them?
- Do you listen to them?
- Do you say positive words to them to encourage them, especially when feeling down?
- Do you respect them?
- Do you forgive your friends when they are not perfect?
All good questions to ask yourself about how you interact with your friends.
Though can you use these same questions in how you treat yourself?
Some thoughts on how to be your own best friend
Building friendships with others adds to our overall well-being. Equally important to our well-being is being a friend to ourselves:
- Know yourself – the questions above on how you treat your friends are a start to knowing who you are and listening to your inner responses.
- Keep other people’s opinions of you in perspective. Remember that those opinions are funneled through their perspective, not necessarily the truth about who you are.
- Stop comparing yourself to others – you are not the other person. Honor the unique you.
- Be your decision-maker – make your own choices. It’s OK to ask for advice as that is how we learn, though the final decision after all the information you received and your intuition on what is the best decision for you.
- Recognize your small accomplishments as that is the best way to support your well-being. We all have achievements, even though we may take them for granted. What you do naturally or comfortably doesn’t mean they aren’t accomplishments. Be confident about who you are and what you add to the world around you.
- When down, check why you feel that way, and create self-encouragement to handle what is bothering you.
- Forgive your mistakes – everyone makes mistakes as that is part of life, part of learning, and part of interacting with others. We can’t get away from it. Though we can learn from them, make amends to others, and let them go.
A true friend doesn’t hold others hostage with their mistakes.
So remember that with yourself, and don’t hold yourself hostage to your mistakes.
Have a friendly view of yourself – accept who you are and enjoy yourself.
Be well,
Pat
“To fully enjoy the ‘richness’ of our lives, we need to stop long enough to visit with ourselves.”
(Pat Brill)
Other Topics You May Be Interested In
What Life Skills Do We Need to Increase Well-Being?
Compassion for Myself
Happy For No Reason
Do you want to download a PDF copy of both of these books, then go to:
