5 Tips to Improve your Relationship with Yourself
By Paige Bintz
Forgive Yourself
Easier said than done, but it’s time to stop comparing yourself to others in different aspects. Everyone makes mistakes and isn’t on top of the game 24/7. That is what makes us all human. You did the best you could with what you knew at that time and now you’ve grown and learned. Allow yourself to accept that and move on.
Slow Down
A lot of college students feel the need to be super involved and busy all the time to feel important. It feels almost like a requirement to take an obnoxious amount of credits, be involved in lots of clubs, have a job or two, volunteer, and still find time to socialize, work out, and sleep. This is insanity. You are not to be measured by your productivity. It’s totally okay to give yourself space to slow down and say “no”. If you only take classes, that’s fine. If you are able to keep up with many different activities, that’s awesome too! Just make sure whatever you are doing, you do with your best effort and then take a break!
Practice Meditation and Affirmation
Introducing some mindful living techniques into your routine can focus your thoughts and emotions. A quick routine would be to sit down and focus on your breath and physical self, letting your thoughts fly by. Even if for five minutes, it can really help clear your mind. There are also many apps or YouTube videos that could help guide you if you need assistance or are new to meditation. A few of these focus on self-esteem and affirmation which are super important. Try to incorporate some of these techniques into your day as well. Smile at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you appreciate and love yourself. It feels silly, but after a while you will notice how easy it will be to accept positivity into your life and feel good about yourself.
Get In The Driver’s Seat
Take control of your life! This time is yours to experience. I advise you to still listen to advice from others, read books, and listen to podcasts. This will open your mind into being more receptive to new ideas, but then meditate on them and decide where you stand. You can do this in all aspects, to change your lifestyle into the one you want. Break unhealthy habits and conditions. This can be in your relationships, your nutrition, or your mental state. The possibilities are endless! Invest time in yourself!
Self Care
This may be the most difficult thing to do, but allow yourself to take time devoted to you. Depending on how well your mental health is doing, taking a few minutes to do what you want to do can be so good for you. If you’re having a rough day, maybe take a hot shower and breathe in the steam, reach out and text a friend, color or doodle in a notebook. For high-functioning days go for a hike and feel the sun on your face, make a really nice dinner, do an exfoliation and skin care routine. There are so many ideas on what to do, but the moral of this section is to do what makes you happy, because it’s your life and you deserve it!
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