Why You Need a Strong Sense of Self and How to Boost It

When life is busy or challenging, most people get so caught up in what goes on in their head that they forget all about the rest of their body. But problems and difficulties are best addressed with the whole of you. If you focus on your issues with a strong sense of self — rather than only your mind — your confidence and inner compass have a solid base for operating in the world. This is enhanced by being fully present in the here and now — rather than dwelling on the past or projecting thoughts into the future.
The term “sense of self” relates to the perception you have of yourself, your self-image. You know who you are, and are okay with it. But if your view of yourself is dominated by the inner critic, your sense of self is compromised. Your authenticity, confidence and vitality will suffer.
To develop and strengthen a realistic sense of self, focus on the following qualities:
Know Yourself
Realistic self-knowledge and self-awareness are a prerequisite for operating from a position of authenticity. Make sure you know how you tick: your values, beliefs and traits, how you are in the world and how you interact with others.
Accept Yourself
Self-acceptance is one of the most important qualities to develop. Self-esteem feeds off performance and achievements, boosting feelings of self-worth when there is something to be proud of. The problem is, that once performance drops, self-esteem plummets, as many retired athletes have experienced.
With sel...

Source: World of Psychology - November 29, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Christiana Star Tags: Mindfulness Motivation and Inspiration Personality Self-Esteem Self-Help Assertiveness Boundaries Codependency Individuality sense of identity Source Type: blogs