Self image

Self image is how you see yourself. This may be how you see yourself physically or your opinion of who and what you are which is normally called self concept. It is important as it affects your self esteem and confidence.

Self image includes:

How you see your personality
What kind of person you think you are
What you believe others think of you
How much you like yourself or you think others like you
The status you feel you have

What does self image have to do with self esteem?

Self Esteem is how you feel about yourself. Image is about how you see yourself and how you believe others see you. They are closely connected because if you have a poor opinion of yourself your self esteem will be low. Read about how to feel good about yourself here.

Problems with Relationships? Could it be your Self Image?

Image is to do with perception. How you see yourself is vital because this will affect your behaviour, your thinking and how you relate to others. People respond to you either positively or negatively according to how confident you are. Your confidence in relationships depends on the image you have of yourself.

How you see yourself is often different from how others view you. Your view of yourself is shaped by your unique thoughts and beliefs and you will have a distorted view. You will see yourself in a positive or negative way according to your level of self esteem. You may have a negative view of yourself and if so you are probably highly critical of yourself.

It's surprising how often, and how natural, it is to judge oneself. Have you ever asked yourself "what was I thinking?" or thought to yourself "that was stupid" when doing something? That was your internal voice judging you. In some people that internal voice can be too critical and harsh, leading to low self-esteem. In others, it may be so weak that they don't notice when they are mean or insensitive to others.

Listening to your internal voice and judgments of yourself is the first step to changing your self-image and esteem. Being aware of self-criticisms (or lack of criticisms) can help you determine your current self-image and decide if it needs to be improved and how.

One way to gain a better understanding of your current self-image is to imagine your reaction to certain situations. For example, if you start a beautiful morning thinking, "I can't wait to get outside and do things!" instead of chiding yourself for not getting out of bed, "don't be such a lazy slob; start moving", you are exhibiting a more positive internal voice.

But sometimes it's hard not to listen to an internal voice, even when that voice is critical. Sometimes a person passes internal judgments to protect him or herself from potentially awkward or uncomfortable situations. For example, telling yourself you aren't able to do something or convincing yourself that others won't like you is a way of avoiding potential failure or rejection. Because of this, people often put up with internal criticisms, even though they lead to low self-esteem.

But it is possible to protect yourself without limiting yourself. For example, you could place less importance on other's opinions of you ("so what if they don't like me?"), or emphasize the positive ("at least I wasn't afraid to try"), or you can practice silencing your internal voice or correct it when it exaggerates your negative traits. It's important that when you make internal judgments you also listen to the more rational part of yourself that can adjust for any unreasonable criticism.

What can you do to Improve your Self Image?

List things you like about yourself - include appearance, personality and skills

Change negative thoughts to positive ones by focusing on the positive and forgetting the negative things that happen to you. Remember compliments and note them down

Question whether your view of yourself is accurate & why you see yourself like you do
Make changes that will help you ;for example, clothes, appearance, hair style and behaviour
Accept things about yourself that are true and learn to think about them in a positive way
Get exercise - you will look and feel better!

Take yourself less seriously and lighten up! Accept criticism constructively so you can move forward and improve yourself.

Frequent counseling recommended with Mentor.

Don't be limited by your internal image, step outside of it and break free, it doesn't have to control you or keep you down. Acting differently will change how others respond towards you and will help change your attitude towards yourself and your abilities.

Twelve Ways To Improve Your Self Image

There are many ways to improve and develop your self image. It can be developed into a powerful magnet, capable of attracting the right people, the right circumstances, good health, wealth, happiness, and anything else that you can see in your mind's eye, and feel in your heart.

1. Be honest with yourself.
2. Develop your imagination.
3. Be able to relax
4. Have that winning feeling.
5. Cultivate good habits.
6. Aim to be happy.
7. Unmask.
8. Have compassion.
9. Grow from your mistakes.
10. Acknowledge your weaknesses.
11. Be Yourself.
12. Never stop growing.

Take on challenges positively and surprise yourself!

Read inspiring books / hear inspiring tapes / Attend inspiring Functions.
Remember, you are only limited by your efforts and confidence!

Believe in yourself! It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with conviction, you can achieve. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserve the best !

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. – Mark Twain

Author: Sridharan K V