6 Ways To Improve Your Self-Esteem...Because You're Worth It!

Self-love hard to come by? If so, read these 6 tips to help yourself fall in love with... you!

By Ashley Davis Bush — Written on Dec 16, 2013

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably familiar with L'Oreal’s tag line: "Because you're worth it." I have always thought this was a wonderful pitch for a woman to treat herself well and to have permission to indulge a little. The problem, however, is that too often women don't actually feel that they are worth it. If you ask many women whether they value themselves, whether they feel deserving of self-love, they will answer with a sad shake of their heads. We could blame society for treating women as second-class citizens or we could look at family dynamics that create a woman's psychological make-up. But whatever the reason, there are tens of thousands of women who feel decidedly that they're NOT worth it.

If you’re one of those women suffering from low self-esteem — or worse, self-loathing — there is hope! Learning to love yourself is a decision, a state of mind, and ultimately a skill. Use the following 6 tools every day to start creating a shift in consciousness. Before you know it, you'll have a firm foundation of self-love.

1. Love Is All You Need
Before you get out of bed in the morning, while you're still lying down, breathe in the word "Love" and breathe out the word "Love." As you do this, imagine people in your mind's eye who love you. Think of friends, family, pets, extended relatives, even spiritual figures. Breathe in their love for you.

2. Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Whenever you look in the mirror, look yourself in the eye and say, "I love you. I know that you're doing the best that you can." Even if you feel silly and/or don't believe the words, stick with it. Fake it til you make it!

3. Who Needs A Hug?
At the end of the day, wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a real hug. It's amazing how comforting a squeeze can be. Even if you get hugs from other people in your life, give yourself a hug and say, "You did your best today."

4. Turn Around
Whenever you say something rude, nasty, or unflattering to yourself, hold up a mental 'STOP' sign. Counteract your negative self-talk by saying, "Let me turn that around. I have decided to believe that I’m fantastic."

5. Self-Kindness
When you're getting dressed in the morning, put your hand over your heart and say these words: "May you be happy today. May you be healthy today. May you be safe from harm. May you be at peace." Drench yourself with these thoughts of personal loving-kindness.

6. Grateful Hearts
At the end of every day, think of something in your life for which you are grateful. Notice how you are intricately involved in the circumstances of your life. Notice how you contribute to the aspects of your life that you most enjoy.

So, next time you're feeling that you don't deserve to be appreciated, pampered, and cherished, think again. Remember that you can and will learn the gift of loving yourself. As this concept moves from your head to your heart, you will know that you ARE indeed worth it. (Now you can go buy some lipstick!)