Bad days come no matter how hard we try to avoid them. On those days, and even the good ones, we all need to be reminded of our value and our strength. If you need a boost of confidence today, remember these things.
1. You are beautiful/beautiful
We focus a lot on our physical appearance and try to live up to what we think we should look like. In all of this we forget that we really are built exactly as we were meant to be.
Beauty is not only on the outside, but also on the inside. Anyone can be beautiful on the outside and rotten on the inside. If you have a good heart, it will show on the outside as well as on the inside.
Write encouraging reminders on your bathroom mirror. Focus on everything you love about your home, inside and out.
2. You are wanted
When you have people around you who would literally do anything besides hang out with you, your self-esteem takes a hit. You have to realize that these are probably not the people for you. There are others who will want you and want to spend time with you. Don’t waste your energy on those who can’t make room for you.
3. You are enough
It’s easy to let your self-esteem plummet and feel worthless. Trying to keep up with society’s expectations of who you should be is really exhausting.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly, exactly as others expect. Don’t feel like you have to take two AP classes or overload yourself with extra work. Only take what you can handle, and that will do.
4. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent
These powerful words of Eleanor Roosevelt still ring true today. When someone ridicules you or puts you down, it hurts, it really hurts. You have a choice, however, to believe these words and let them define you, or to hold your head high and carry on.
5. You are smart
Being smart is so much more than a GPA. Everyone has something they’re knowledgeable at, whether it’s art, writing, music, or gardening – everyone’s good at something.
Just because you’re not good at things other people are good at doesn’t mean you’re stupid. This means you haven’t found your “thing” yet.
If you’re not sure what you’re good at, make a list of everything that interests you. Then, for each, note whether you have tried it. If not, find opportunities to try different activities related to your interests.
6. Today is your day
In the words of Benjamin Franklin “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” If there’s something you want, don’t wait for it to fall into your lap.
Start by making a list of what you want in your life. Then, for each thing, write down the steps you need to take to achieve that goal. Keep adding more each time there is another milestone to reach.
7. You are strong
Even if you don’t feel like it, you are strong. Strength doesn’t always mean staying together. Strength means being able to overcome struggle and rebuild your life when the storm passes.
When you start to feel weak, remind yourself that it’s a lie. Tell yourself that the fact that you are here means that you are not weak. The wind can blow you a little, but it can’t break you in two.
8. Hope beats fear
It’s so easy to look at all the negative things going on in the world and feel scared and depressed, but we can’t forget that pain doesn’t last forever. We should always give hope a very firm place in our hearts, as it reminds us that things will get better.
At the end of each day write down three good things that happened, at the end of the week review what you wrote. Take a look at all the hopeful things that happened.
9. You choose who you are
People can give advice on how you should be, but ultimately who you are and who you will become is entirely up to you. You choose whether you become a good or a bad person.
Even though you’ve been told your whole life how awful you are, you can choose to take that mantra back, or you can say “no, that’s who I am.”
10. Uniqueness is powerful
The world would be a very boring place if we were all exactly the same, but we still strive to be like the popular girl in school or a celebrity on TV. In fact, your individuality is so special that without you in the world, so many people would miss out on what you bring to the world.
Whenever you are tempted to compare yourself to someone else, say, “No. I am not that person, I am me. I can’t be them and they can’t be me.
11. Dreamers are achievers
Dreamers are criticized for not focusing. Yet all the greats in every industry started with a dream, an idea that led them to success. Give yourself some time during the day to imagine and dream. Write down all the ideas that come to mind in a special place. Build on these dreams, as they may well lead you to your future career.
12. Hard work pays off
Between school, extracurricular activities and after-school work, it always feels like a race to try to achieve something, but the finish line keeps moving. Even if you don’t see it yet, all the work you do will pay off one way or another. So keep studying and working for your goals.
13. It’s good to start over
Sometimes you start on a path and realize it’s not the right one for you, luckily it’s never too late to change. It’s hard to let go and start from scratch. Remember, it’s not about anyone but you. Don’t feel embarrassed to do what’s best for you and your well-being.
14. Enjoy the Ride
You only have one chance to live your life. Learn to laugh at your mistakes and don’t let them define you. Think of every day as a new adventure with new challenges and new places to explore. Even something as simple as going to school can become special if you find something you are passionate about.
15. True love exists
The world is full of frogs dressed up as charming princes and princesses, the trick is not to lose heart. There’s someone for everyone, and it may take a while to find your one true love, but he or she is also looking for you.
Someone who truly loves you will always be there, be kind and put others before themselves.
Positivity can be a hard thing to find. Sometimes we have to be the ones to say those words that make people smile and change the course of their day. So spread the hope and keep going until smiles become common and broken spirits begin to heal.
