Do you like you? Simple question. But one that tends to make a lot of people squirm. For many people, it’s one of the most uncomfortable questions they could ever be asked. I sometimes wonder why that is. Because, in a perfect world, the answer every single one of us would give to that question is a resounding “Hell yes!”.
Unfortunately, that’s not the answer most people tend to give when asked this question. Most people don’t like themselves all that much. And those that do almost seem afraid to admit it — as if it’s somehow wrong or shameful, or boastful to admit to actually liking oneself. No one wants to be considered “full of themselves’.
Why it’s important that you like you
But liking yourself is the start of creating the kind of life that you want for yourself. It’s the starting point for building your biggest dreams, and the foundation that underlies anything you could ever want to achieve. When we don’t like ourselves, those feelings filter through our entire being, affecting every cell of our bodies.
It’s hard to live a happy life if everything in you thinks you’re not good enough. But where do those thoughts come from? We’re definitely not born with them. Those attitudes, those beliefs that we don’t measure up, are things that we’ve absorbed from the outside. We are not born with an inner critic; we are infected with one. And sadly, the condition seems to have become an epidemic.
“We are not born with an inner critic; we are infected with one.” Tweet this!
Can it be dangerous to like yourself?
Today’s topic came about because, when I work, I usually like to have music playing in the background. I have very eclectic tastes in music, and my playlists tend to include everything from Aerosmith to Zamfir and anything in between. And with my big launch last week, I was listening to a lot of newer stuff and one of the songs I was listening to a lot has become one of my new favourites. It’s from Colbie Caillat, and it’s called “Try”.
It’s an interesting song and for some reason, it seems to have polarized the commenters on YouTube over this very question of liking yourself. One camp seems to think it’s a great song with a great message about empowering women to love and accept themselves just the way they are. The other camp seems to think it’s an annoying and dangerous song that tells people that they don’t have to do anything to try and make their lives better.
Change for the right reasons
It’s quite the fascinating war or words on this one. And I can see the points on both sides, because on the one hand, I think that just accepting your life the way it is if you’re unhappy about it isn’t the best way to go (you do have to actually take action and DO something if you want something in your life to change). But on the other hand, trying to change anything in your life because you feel that you’re not good enough the way you are is never a good idea.
Because the one thing you absolutely have to understand, at the core of your being, is that you are good enough. You are perfect just the way you are. If there are things about yourself or your situation that you would like to change, that’s OK; there’s nothing wrong with that. But don’t do it from the point of view that you have to be something that you’re not just to please other people in your life, or society at large. If you want to make changes, do it from a place of love and joy, because YOU want to experience something different. Do it from a place of choice, not from a place of compulsion.
And to me, that’s what the lyrics of this song are really all about: being true to yourself and not trying to change who you are just so you can fit in with the expectations of those around you. It’s specifically meant to be a message to women, but I think the message goes deeper than that. Your unique you-ness is what makes you awesome; don’t try to change that because you think it will make you successful or liked or approved of. Just be yourself. Be confident in who you are. Cherish the moments of your life – all of them. Be kind to all. Live and let live. And enjoy the journey, whatever you choose to make it. That’s all you really need to do.
So tell me… do you like you?
So here’s the song. Take a listen and then be sure to leave a message in the comments section and let me know what you think of it…
And do let me know… do you like you? I hope you do. ‘Cause I like you. ♥
photo credit: pixabay.com cc
I was just thinking about this topic yesterday! Hahaha!
Great minds think alike! 🙂
I love me and now that I’ve met you, I think you’re pretty awesome too Nathalie!!
Happy Friday!! 🙂
p.s. great article by the way!
Hello Samantha, and welcome to Vibe Shifting! Glad to hear it, and thank you. Have a great weekend! 🙂