Hello Andriana

BEST ADVICE I GAVE MYSELF THIS YEAR 💫

When you give yourself advice, you are much more likely to follow it. You also have control over things that you wish to change.

After reflecting for quite some time, I decided to jot down a few things that I think would resonate with a lot of people:

- Be true to yourself; if it doesn’t feel right, then change it.
- Make small progress everyday.
- Take your time and do not rush.
- Think of others; give back everyday. - It’s okay to experience setbacks along the way.
- Let it go; whatever’s making you angry.
- Believe in yourself.

*Self-confidence series post*

There’s a staggering amount of evidence which shows that we experience negative thoughts on a daily basis. It is said that 80% of our thoughts are negative while 95% of them are repetitive. This means that we often think about the same negative things about ourselves over and over. It is no wonder that our confidence fluctuates.

What are some ways to boost self-confidence?

I find that the most helpful way to bring back confidence is to practice self-compassion. Self-compassion involves being kind to yourself whenever you experience setbacks. It allows for building emotional resilience and connection to others.

Furthermore, it is also about creating a positive narrative for yourself when you are feeling down/anxious. Practicing positive self-talk helps to reframe those negative thoughts and overcome self doubts.

A simple exercise that I also like to do is to list down any achievements and challenges that you have overcome to remind yourself how tough you are. Whenever you are feeling particularly down, you can then look back on these moments. Let these triumphs fuel your confidence.

Exercise: practice positive self-talk.

When was the last time you took the time to reflect on your life?

The sad truth is that we are too busy with our lives and do not take the time to contemplate our thoughts and feelings. We move forward without aligning with how we feel. When in reality, self-reflection is one of the best ways to be mindful and to find your true self.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”. I believe that happiness comes from being your authentic self. Self-reflection helps us gain insight about ourselves and in turn we would be able to take back control of our lives. Here are some of my favourite self-reflection questions:

- What makes me special?
- What can I do very well?
- What am I proud of?
- What makes me happy?
- What do I want for my future self?
- Is there something missing in my life?

Exercise: make self-reflection a routine.