We have known for a long time that Marisa Peer, a popular counselor famous for helping the famous, says the feeling of not being enough is common to every emotional issue. However, it’s not only celebrities who suffer from an ‘I’m not enough’ syndrome since anyone can develop low self-esteem. Here’s how to get rid of the feeling of inadequacy.
You might imagine you have to wait for other people to make you feel you’re enough, but according to Peer, praising yourself is a terrific way to increase self-esteem. Like self-help guru Louise Hay, she advocates mirror work to get the message that you are enough through to your psyche.
Hay suggested mirrors reflect your feelings about yourself. As such, mirror work shows you where you resist emotions and teaches you how to develop yourself through awareness. Ultimately, it helps you become happier.
Rather than just look in the mirror and tell yourself you are enough you might benefit from recognizing when you resist positive words. If they leave you recoiling, no doubt your self-esteem needs improvement. However, your work is only complete when you can praise your reflection without flinching.
Another way Hay mentions that people can build self-esteem is to trust themselves. When you trust your inner wisdom, you realize you are smarter than you thought possible. Suddenly, you are on par with the people you usually rely on for advice, and your self-esteem grows.
Hay also suggests writing experiences in a journal along with mirror work to aid self-esteem. When you express yourself in black and white, you notice patterns of behaviour and thinking and learn to adjust them to improve life. Also, you express your feelings instead of holding them inside you.
Science backs up the idea that expressing your emotions is helpful. Talking about the brain, Matthew D. Lieberman, UCLA associate professor of psychology, says, “When you put feelings into words, you’re activating this prefrontal region and seeing a reduced response in the amygdala.” He describes the process as like braking in your car. Writing about your emotions stops their momentum.
Journal writing can help you reduce the negative emotions related to a lack of self-worth and aid insights. Putting pen to paper, mirror work, and self-trust will boost your self-esteem if practiced often. Soon, you’ll be able to look your reflection in the eye and say, ‘I am better than good enough’ without cringing.
