Be True To YourselfSidetracked Sisters

love youself While we are all trying to improve ourselves and make the most out of our lives, one thing that we must keep in mind is to be true to yourself. Following what society expects or desires you to be or to look like or to accomplish does nothing for you if you don’t agree with those expectations. All you end up doing is frustrating yourself. Here are 5 things to consider when trying to fit into society’s expectations and also be true to yourself.

Learn to let go

There are always those out there that are going to have bad things to say about you no matter how wonderful you might be and how kind you are. People are jealous by nature and tend to put a negative spin on life.

I’ve made many mistakes throughout my life, but they are all in the past and I can’t change them. Some people that I’ve known during that time will always judge me by those mistakes and hold them against me. The past is behind me and is not a reflection of who I am today.

Instead of worrying about what others have to say about you, learn to let it go. You know you are a kind person and worthy of great things. Focus on that. Let the others dwell in their negativity, if they want, but keep yourself feeling positive. Let it go!

Love who you are

Society would like us all to be 5’9” and 130 lbs, but that’s not reality. Look at yourself in the mirror and love yourself the way you are. Loving yourself for who you are can make a huge mental shift in how others perceive you. Put a smile on your face and embrace yourself the way you are.

This isn’t saying that you should forgo exercise and attempts to improve your health if necessary, but while you need to love yourself at every point along the way also.

I am currently 100 lbs overweight, but if I don’t hold my head high and love myself, why should others?

Take time for yourself

Women are born multi-taskers, but so many of us neglect to take time for ourselves. In order to be the best person we can be for our loved ones, we first need to take care of ourselves. Even if it’s only 5 minutes a day – take those few minutes and make them for you and only you.

I like to take my lunchtime and either read or take a brief nap or some other type of “me” time. I don’t take phone calls or answer the door – it’s just time for me.

Be kind to others

People get so caught up in their own lives that many appear to be in their own little bubble and don’t have time for anyone else or anything else. Try doing this – put a smile on your face, even if you don’t feel it, and say Hi to those you pass by. Not everyone will reciprocate, but you can feel good in your heart that you are putting a smile out there for everyone to see.

This is something that has been ingrained in my head since I was little by both Mom and Dad. Mom would always say “Put a smile on your face and be happy.” Dad’s method was more subtle. He would illustrate to us and even point out to workers, the benefit of a smile. One time I know of, he went into a local store to purchase something. Upon checkout, the sales clerk didn’t smile, say “Hi” or “Thank you”. Dad left the store but then turned around and approached the clerk and told her “You know, your day would go a lot quicker if you’d put a smile on your face and thanked your customers.” I’m sure she wasn’t thrilled at the reproach, but the point is, a smile and friendly “Hi” can make a huge difference.

Be true to yourself

We all know that we aren’t experts at everything. Instead of trying to be something you aren’t, know your strengths and weaknesses. If you aren’t great at something, ask for help. Don’t pretend to be something you aren’t.

As I look back at the past 50 years, I see so many times when I’ve lost myself to try to make someone else happy. It may have been just little things like only listening to the kind of music they like, but after time, those little things add up to a lot. Don’t lose sight of who you are.

We all are beautiful in our own ways. We just need to learn to love each other…not in spite of our differences, but because of our differences. That process will start by first loving ourselves where we are at.