Today is all about celebrating YOU – the unique, beautiful person that you are. The special thing about being YOU is that there is no one else on this planet quite like YOU! Isn’t that a wonderful thought?
Sometimes we can get caught up in all the media hype and ‘advice’ on how we should look, behave or even live our lives. So I would like us all to take a moment to think of ways that perhaps we are being persuaded to be someone we aren’t. We are all guilty of this, so you aren’t alone.
Some of us still find it difficult to celebrate who we are and so today I want to share four ways to learn to celebrate the special person you are and to live authentically.
4 ways to learn to Celebrate being YOU
1. Acceptance
This is so important, because if we don’t accept the person we are, then we can’t celebrate ourselves. Sure there might be things you don’t like about yourself and you have the power to change them if you want to. The bottom line is that unless you accept yourself and your qualities you will never be happy.
2. Stop the comparison
I know, it is hard not to compare ourselves to others. We compare our bodies, our clothes even our abilities. I’m guilty sometimes of easily falling into the comparison trap. I look at other bloggers and wonder why they are getting more page views or followers for example.
Comparison is our enemy because it saps us of our self-confidence and self-belief. We feel that we aren’t good enough rather than concentrating on our own strengths and what we have to offer. My earlier post ‘I’ is for Inspiration – 7 ways you can be an Inspiration to others, highlighted the fact that in our own way we CAN be an inspiration,just by the example we lead and how we live our lives.
3. Practice self-love daily
How can you celebrate YOU if you don’t love yourself? How can you expect others to celebrate YOU if you don’t love yourself? Self-love is not ego, it is about self-respect and acknowledging the beautiful person you are. It is about being happy with the person you are and embracing your uniqueness. Silence the Inner Critic when she starts talking negativity and replace her with positive and encouraging thoughts.
4. Believe in yourself
We have the power within ourselves to do anything if we want it badly enough. Self-belief is vital to thriving and finding happiness in your life. Accepting and acknowledging your strengths and your weaknesses helps you to achieve. Believing in yourself is the first step.
Write down one thing that is unique to you. It can be anything – serious, funny, quirky.
No one else has this – doesn’t that make you feel special? It should!
You can live your life trying to ‘fit in’ to a mould that just isn’t you or you can embrace your uniqueness and show the world who you really are. Accepting who you are and ceasing to compare yourself to others is the start of a new and exciting journey in your life.
Of course it takes courage to be Different and unique but apart from anything else you need to stay TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!
What is one way you can celebrate YOU today?
In my next post in the A to Z Guide to Thriving, I’m discussing ‘Z’ is for Zest – Rediscovering passion in your life. I do hope you will join me.
If you have missed previous posts in the AtoZ Challenge 2018 just click here to find them all.
You might also like to check out my Over 50 & Thriving series. In this series, published every Thursday, guest writers give insight into what ‘Over 50 & Thriving’ means to them.
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Let’s Keep Sizzling!
#atozchallenge
23 Comments
I love the advice about stopping the comparison. I especially love the anonymous quote at the end. Have a great weekend!
It is so hard not to compare isn’t it Heather? Have a beautiful weekend too!
Yes, yes, yes. This is an area I am actively working on. Self acceptance…stop the comparison…stop the self-hate. Thanks for articulating this … it’s helpful to know I’m not alone in the challenge.
Hi, Sue – I agree that comparison is the ‘happiness killer’. Writing down something that is unique about ourselves is a great exercise. Thank you for encouraging us to do this.
It sure is Donna but sometimes it can be difficult not to compare. It does help to remind ourselves of our special qualities and writing them down makes them more real. x
Sue I spent my whole life making comparisons. In recent times I’ve given that up and it’s such a relief
It really is self-imposed pressure, isn’t it, Jen? Glad you have found that YOU are unique!
Thanks for this, Sue. As I’ve just said to Leanne, I’m beginning to accept me for who I am and I quite like what I’m seeing – but I wish I’d seen this 50 years ago!!! Nearly done! 2nd last letter of the alphabet in the 2018 A to Z Blogging Challenge. <a href="https://riseandsoar.com/yes/ Y is for Yes!
I think we all wish we had realised earlier in life, Shirley but at least we have now – it is never too late! xx
Very important life lesson you are sharing. My visits have been hit and miss on so many blogs this challenge. Mother’s surgery has caused some slight diversions of my daily plans. Going to be catching up on everyone’s archived posts in the coming week or 2. So, accepting my limitations 🙂
Hello and thank you for taking the time to visit and comment. Life can certainly get in the way of our best laid plans but your mother’s surgery and recovery is where your priorities lie. I hope she is doing well and take care. 🙂
Thank you ?
Oh I have the comparison problem too, Sue. It has been breaking my heart that I’ve been losing some subscribers over the course of this A-Z challenge. Although it’s not just the challenge. My pattern is to gain 1, lose 1, gain 1, lose 2 on and on. I try to tell myself that I’m not writing to get followers and that the right people will find me, but now that I’m writing more personally it is ME on the page and it’s difficult when people don’t find the posts interesting enough or helpful enough to stay.
Focusing on the quote that ended your post seems a good way to be. Thanks, as always, for inspiring.
I feel the same way Karen. I shouldn’t compare with my blogging but sometimes I wonder when someone unsubscribes ‘why they did and what did I do wrong?’ Then I remind myself that I have a core of regular readers who enjoy my work and whose work I enjoy and the connections are wonderful. We should chat sometime and here if you ever want to run ideas past me. x
I love that quote too Sue. I’m definitely a ‘one of a kind’ sort of person and relish that fact 🙂 Comparing ourselves to others is something we all do but I’m trying to not fall into that pattern. You are special and unique too and don’t forget that 🙂
You are lovely and such a good friend. Even though we haven’t known each for that long, I feel as if I’ve known you all my life. Thank you for your continuing support and friendship. Enjoy your week and nearly time to fly away!!!
Look at us being blogging twins again with the letter “Y” Sue – we are unique and we don’t need to compare ourselves to others – I just wish I’d had the self-confidence and self-worth to own that a couple of decades or more ago – still, better late than never!
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
Y for You are Unique
We are twins, Leanne, no doubt about that! Why do we live on the other side of the country from each other! We are almost there and then what will May bring? Have a great week xx
What a wonderful and very motivating post Sue. All such great examples of being our best self. I absolutely love this. ?
Thank you so much Miriam and I’m so pleased you found the post motivating. Have a great week!
Thanks Sue. You too.
Agree with everything you shared – accepting oneself is so important. Comparing with another person is a sure way to be unhappy.
It isn’t easy but once we do accept ourselves life doesn’t seem quite so hard. Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend x