September 23, 2024

Boost your Self-Worth

By Chinmai Gupta · 4 minute read

Recognise your worth, embrace your flaws and celebrate your intrinsic value

Self Image

John’s fiancé and partner of five years, Teri, had told him during the summer that she was in love with someone else. They had flown together for a holiday to the Seychelles, where he had proposed to her on the beach, and she had said yes. They were somewhat distant on that trip, but John attributed it to Teri’s new and stressful job, which had her working long hours and even weekends recently. John’s family was overjoyed and eagerly anticipated welcoming Teri into the family. There were discussions of a beach wedding and even children, especially when his mom got too excited. Three months after John placed the ring on her finger, Teri came home and confessed that she had been seeing a colleague and had fallen in love with him. She explained that she hadn’t planned for this to happen and that it “just happened,” particularly since her relationship with John had become quite passive and distant. Teri listed out several reasons she had fallen out of love with John, including his complacency in his teaching career, his lack of ambition, and his modest paycheck, none of which she found attractive or masculine.

The breakup devastated John. He felt like a complete failure. It was painful to look in the mirror, as all he saw was a small and inadequate person who could not be loved.

Challenging and Restructuring Negative Thoughts

Challenging and restructuring negative self-talk is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. This process involves identifying and addressing the harmful thoughts that can undermine self-esteem and confidence. One effective method is using affirmations to replace negative thought patterns with positive ones with time. For example, if John’s inner dialogue was dominated by thoughts like "I'm a failure," affirmations can be used to dispute and reframe these beliefs into more constructive and empowering statements. Instead of succumbing to the negativity, John could repeat affirmations such as "I am a wonderful teacher," I am successful," and "I am kind." The key is recognising cognitive distortions—irrational and exaggerated thought patterns that contribute to negative self-perception—and replacing them with more balanced, affirming thoughts. This not only helps in mitigating the impact of negative self-talk but also promotes a more positive and resilient mindset, enabling individuals to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and self-assurance.

The Cognitive Basis of Affirmations

Affirmations are sometimes criticised as new age placebos, but they offer more than just feel-good statements. They are grounded in principles from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which emphasise transforming thought patterns and cultivating self-worth. CBT focuses on identifying and challenging cognitive distortions—irrational and often negative thought patterns that can lead to emotional distress. By using affirmations, people can replace these harmful thoughts with more balanced and positive ones, thus fostering a healthier mental state. ACT, on the other hand, encourages people to accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, promoting a sense of mindfulness and self-acceptance. By regularly affirming our value, we begin to rewrite internal narratives that have held us back, leading to deeper self-acceptance and growth. This process not only helps in mitigating the impact of negative self-talk but also promotes a more resilient and positive mindset. Over time, these affirmations can become ingrained in our subconscious, making it easier to maintain a positive outlook and approach life's challenges with greater confidence and self-assurance.

Developing a Personal Mantra Practice

Negative self-talk can be a persistent challenge, but it can be overcome with positive reinforcement. By focusing on self-love affirmations, you can gradually dismantle the power of negative thoughts and reconstruct your self-image.

Creating a personal mantra practice is akin to building a daily ritual that empowers and centres you. This process involves selecting affirmations that resonate with your values and aspirations, and consistently integrating them into your routine. This practice not only helps in reinforcing self-love but also aligns with ACT’s principle of aligning actions with personal values.

Incorporating self-love mantras into your self-care routine can enhance their impact. Whether during your shower or bath, with your morning coffee, or before bed, repeating affirmations in comforting settings solidifies them in your mind, making self-love a natural part of your life. By integrating affirmations into daily routines, such as during meditation or journaling, people can enhance mindfulness and remain grounded, especially during times of stress or self-doubt.

Measuring the Impact of Your Self-Love Journey

Evaluating the impact of your self-love journey can be both inspiring and insightful. Reflect on changes in your emotional state, self-perception, and interactions with others. Keeping a journal can help track progress and reinforce the positive strides made in elevating self-worth.

For John, it took a few sessions to before he could start using such positive statements in his life. Through this process, he discovered the roots of his beliefs about self-worth and responsibility. He is now ready to start dating again and is grateful for his ex for sparking this journey of reprogramming his limiting beliefs with self-love mantras.

Mantras to inspire your journey

Here, we present 40 powerful self-love mantras, each a stepping stone to building a more loving and compassionate relationship with yourself. As you recite these mantras, visualise their truths weaving into the fabric of your being, affirming your intrinsic value and beauty.