Self-Esteem Check

When was the last time you let yourself feel proud of you?

It's a parenting hack I've read a lot lately: "Before you tell your kids that you're proud of them, ask if they are proud of themselves to build an internal sense of validation." However, what I'm not reading a lot of is the adult life hack: "Ask yourself if you are proud of your work to reinforce an internal sense of validation."

When you put effort into something, even if it doesn't pan out exactly the way you wanted, your efforts are worth feeling proud of. It doesn't have to be big or glamorous. If you know it's something you struggle with, and you got it done today, acknowledge it with a simple, "Good job, me." We are so good at telling ourselves the ways in which our efforts weren't enough, and that contributes to stress, low self-esteem, and depression.

If you have a therapist, I hope you know that they are one of your biggest cheerleaders. On the days you struggle to feel proud of yourself, ask them, and they'll tell you. If you don't have one, know that I know you're doing the best you can with what you've got today, and I'M proud of you.

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And always remember: You’ve got this.

*This is not medical advice nor an adequate substitution for finding your own, regionally licensed therapist 😎

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