I remember the days when I used to feel so awkward at dinner parties. Whether it was a wedding, a barmitzvah or any other communal function…. I felt fearful about going and often tried to avoid it.
I had to psyche myself up and would change clothes three or four times before I felt reasonably comfortable to go. To allay my fears I remember saying to my hubby “Let’s pretend we are on a date and then we won’t have to talk to anybody”. I was worried they would judge me about what I put on my plate or that I didn’t have a university degree or would notice that my clothes were easy on the bank account.
Yip, those were the days. Thank goodness I have come to a place in my life where I feel comfortable to be around other people and just be myself (almost all the time). I’ve even come to like myself and this has made it easier for me to be with others and for others to be with me. I’ve learned to accept myself for who I am with my so-called “flaws”.
They shouldn’t even be called flaws because they are just parts of our personality, parts of who we are.
Yes, I can slip back into old habits and see myself as less than who I am, after all I had a lifetime of this behaviour, but from what I have gleaned in the past few years, I quickly work through my feelings and thoughts and make new choices. I remember who I am and move on. It takes a few minutes rather than a few weeks or months.
Learning how to like oneself is so important and has many repercussions in life. Even though I am by nature an introvert, I love being around people and I like who I am around them. I feel confident to be myself.
I try and bring my best out in an honest way and although I falter, I’m good enough as I am. That’s not to say I am content to be stagnant, I continue to grow all the time.
Every so often I still like changing clothes a few times before I go out though ;)
Eve
(I will be teaching the popular and transformational More to Life course “Free to be Me – the Power of Self Esteem” in March 2016. Click on the COURSES button on the menu bar for more info.)
I had to psyche myself up and would change clothes three or four times before I felt reasonably comfortable to go. To allay my fears I remember saying to my hubby “Let’s pretend we are on a date and then we won’t have to talk to anybody”. I was worried they would judge me about what I put on my plate or that I didn’t have a university degree or would notice that my clothes were easy on the bank account.
Yip, those were the days. Thank goodness I have come to a place in my life where I feel comfortable to be around other people and just be myself (almost all the time). I’ve even come to like myself and this has made it easier for me to be with others and for others to be with me. I’ve learned to accept myself for who I am with my so-called “flaws”.
They shouldn’t even be called flaws because they are just parts of our personality, parts of who we are.
Yes, I can slip back into old habits and see myself as less than who I am, after all I had a lifetime of this behaviour, but from what I have gleaned in the past few years, I quickly work through my feelings and thoughts and make new choices. I remember who I am and move on. It takes a few minutes rather than a few weeks or months.
Learning how to like oneself is so important and has many repercussions in life. Even though I am by nature an introvert, I love being around people and I like who I am around them. I feel confident to be myself.
I try and bring my best out in an honest way and although I falter, I’m good enough as I am. That’s not to say I am content to be stagnant, I continue to grow all the time.
Every so often I still like changing clothes a few times before I go out though ;)
Eve
(I will be teaching the popular and transformational More to Life course “Free to be Me – the Power of Self Esteem” in March 2016. Click on the COURSES button on the menu bar for more info.)