How to be your own best friend

Although I am blessed with some very special people in my life, I really believe in the importance of being your own best friend too. There is nobody you can trust more than yourself, nobody knows you better than yourself and there is nobody you can rely on more than yourself.

The stresses and pressures of life can take their toll on anybody – making it even more important to maintain a strong and confident sense of self.  True happiness comes from within, yet most people seek contentment outside of themselves – longing for a better job, the desire for shiny things. Yet so often we feel disappointed in ourselves, when we should be paying the same love and positive attitudes towards ourselves that we do our loved ones.

Trust yourself

Trust that any decisions you make are the right ones. Why do we trust the judgement and instincts of others yet mistrust our own? Confidence is one of the most powerful tools in our arsenal – much like insecurity, it dictates our behaviour, thoughts and action, although positivity has more energy than negativity. It goes hand-in-hand with acceptance. Have confidence in whatever you do, your feelings, and accept that whatever you are doing is good. As Jiminy Cricket says, “Always let your conscience be your guide.”

Enjoy your own company

Although socialising is important, spending time with yourself  is vital to our well-being. If you are only alone when nobody is available, you’re settling for your own company when you should look forward to and enjoy it. Me-time is not a luxury – it’s a necessity! During a hectic schedule, it can be hard to see how blessed we are. Me-time allows us to deal with stress and to revitalise our minds as well as our bodies.

Forgive yourself

Learning to forgive yourself for wrong-doings or failings is often so much harder than forgiving others, even if they did the same thing. Failed endeavours can plague you for years. It’s important to remember this fact – yes, fact – everybody messes up sometimes, it’s human, it’s learning. Emma Baskerville, a psychotherapist, said: “We hold on to mistakes to verify any negativity we feel about ourselves. I did this thing, so I must be a bad person.” Let go of old guilt – continually punishing yourself has no gain.

Respect yourself

We respect our loved ones for many reasons, not just landmark achievements. We respect their wisdom, moxie, loyalty, integrity. Give yourself credit for your own positive attributes, and accept compliments you receive. Respect stems from self-value. When you refuse to let others disrespect you or be treated like a walk-over, it shows strength and self-respect. “Respect yourself and others will respect you.” – Confucius.