9 Ways To Feel Better In Your Own Skin

We wake up with that one thing that is still bugging us. It could be the zit on our cheek, the fat on our body, our hair length or hair colour... The list goes on and there are numerous things that we dislike about ourselves.

I'm here to tell you that it‘s human to be imperfect and it‘s also human to want to change or be better.

We have to decide if we want to continuously feel uncomfortable in our own skin or if we want to take action and improve.

1. Embrace your insecurities

2. Know you are enough

3. Train your mind

4. Accept your mistakes

5. Know your worth

6. Validate yourself

7. Choose happiness

8. Make small goals

1. Embrace your insecurities

If we stay stuck on the aspects we don't like about ourselves we can't move forward. Once we realize everyone has insecurities and it only makes us human, we will be able to see ourselves in a better way.

There are ways to help embrace our insecurities. These may not help everyone. However, it is worth a try.

First, find someone who can support you, such as someone who could relate or someone who is there for you. This helps you feel as though you are not alone and you are able to vent to someone.

Second way to help embrace your insecurities, is writing a description about what you dislike, how it makes you feel and why you don't like it. This can help to get your insecurities out, on paper and off your chest.

Third, take baby steps to tackle the insecurity or insecurities head on. Will anyone notice? Will you see these people again? Think of your insecurities as a positive way to work on yourself. If you don't let it eat at you, it won't have the chance to bother you.

2. Know you are enough

The real question is : "What is enough?" That exact sentence can be considered different for everyone. My version is different than your version.

We all have various requirements that we subconsciously create to achieve this so called "enough". In other words, you make your own list of "must-haves" to be "enough", without even knowing it. If we were to break it down, our list would include traits such as: loyal, patient, humorous, self-aware, independent, intelligent... the list goes on. Now only YOU have the choice to change these goals to be attainable for you or work towards the list that you created.

Here's an example, my definition of good enough is: being independent, having a good career, being successful, staying active, being courageous, having determination and self motivation.

With this definition I ask myself: "Are these traits attainable for ME?" "Do I need to change these to succeed for myself ?" "What goals can I modify ?" "How do I reach these?"

This is exactly the steps you can take, to accept yourself for who you are and figure out the best way to reach it.

3. Train your mind

Your thoughts dictate how you see yourself and how others see you. If you continuously think you are garbage, your mind is going to keep thinking you are. Tell yourself you are capable and the change happens almost immediately. That being said, if you think positive you can be positive.

Visualize what you want to achieve and that in itself, makes it possible. One great example of this, is with purchases. We crave a pizza... we end up buying the pizza or making the pizza. You have enough motivation to do that, why don't you try to visualize what you truly want out of your life right now. If you want to become more fit, visualize your day to day with the mentality that you want to be fit. If you want to be more patient, visualize yourself waiting and taking time for things in your life.

Another way to train your mind, to help you feel better in your own skin, is to look at yourself in the mirror and say one positive thing a day. These can be as simple as "You are enough" "You will have a good day" "You are so beautiful" " You can do this".

Try it... you'll never know if it helps until you try.

4. Accept your mistakes

Think of every mistake as a learning experience. Acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes and we are human. The good thing is that we are able to learn from the mistakes that we make. We are able to look at our mistake and figure out what we can do better if it happens next time. My mentality towards mistakes is there's always a reason. Therefore, I ask myself ''Why did this happen?" This gives me a chance to look at it in a less negative way. Don't get me wrong though, I have a hard time with my mistakes sometimes too.

But then I realize, if we don't accept our mistakes, the only thing it will do is eat at us and keep bothering us. The sooner we are able to manage our mistakes, the quicker we can move on.

The biggest thing that helps me accept my mistakes is talking it through with someone or writing it down. That way it gets off my chest easier and I can hear another perspective on the situation.

5. Know your worth

I'd like you to create a list of strengths that you obtain, these can be the smallest things or the most obvious ones. For example, organized, punctual, kind, artistic, active, leadership skills, independent, etc. This list you created, is a portion of the things that you are capable of. I'm sure there's more strengths that others around you would add, that you aren't able to see for yourself.

Think about where you were a year ago, maybe three years ago or even five years ago. What did those strengths look like then, in comparison to right now?

Your list is only going to get longer, and you are going to face way more problems that you will be able to conquer. You should give yourself WAY more credit.

Try to make a list of your accomplishments- graduating from high school, taking a summer course, graduating from college, completing a year of university, applying for a job, completing a resume...

The accomplishments list +the strengths= an accomplished and worthy human being.

6. Validate yourself

We often seek validation from others, but the only validation we need is from ourselves. When no one else is there and times get tough, we can count on our own strength to hold us together. A big part of validating ourselves is sticking with our gut. If we feel one way, nothing anyone else says will change our mind.

Once we start making decisions for ourself, we are sure of our decision and don't need the approval of anyone else. Although opinions are good, it feels empowering to make a confident decision on our own. A decision made on our own can be done easier with a list of pros and cons. Then stick with the decision and don't let anyone change it.

7. Choose Happiness

Wake up everyday and choose happiness. This can be as easy as telling yourself " I am happy today", it could be picking up your favourite coffee, making your favourite breakfast, starting the day off with a warm shower, setting your alarm earlier to be able to lay in bed a bit longer. That way you have a reason to be happy for the day.

Listen to podcasts or read motivational quotes or books to start your day. A podcast in the car on the way to work, a book on your break at work, a bath at the end of the day. This includes giving yourself a "me day" and some time off. You deserve it.

Overtime you will figure out what happiness means for you and you will be able to find it more often.

8. Make small goals

Waking up at the same time everyday, eating one snack a day, working out for at least twenty minutes, use your phone for a maximum of 3 hours per day, going for a walk three times a week, drinking a certain amount of water, reading for 15 minutes etc. These are all things you can do, amongst others to give yourself that extra push. If you work towards something, even if it's small, it gives you meaning.

I know that finishing a goal makes me happy and gives me purpose, it could do the same for you.

All in all, these were 9 ways you could possibly feel better in your own skin. I hope you are able to take away a few things that can help YOU feel the way you should.

You are enough.

You are worthy.

You can do it.

Embrace the day.

Josée™