Our self image is what we think of ourselves. Often our image about ourselves is a result of what our childhood had been and what adult experiences we had gone through.
So if we want to know what our self-image is, all we need is to ask ourselves, ‘So what do others see in you?’
What is Self Image?
Our self image consists of:
A. What we think of ourselves
B. What we think others think of us
C. What others actually think of us
How good or bad we think of ourselves is what decides our course of life, and often our decision making capabilities.
My friend Samaira often had lacked confidence in doing a lot of activities, which her classmates never had. Being a late child to her parents, her parents often had doubts regarding Samaira’s abilities.
A belief she had too picked up from her parents that she will not be able take part in camping, because she thought it’s simply not her. Often such beliefs are so ingrained that it’s almost impossible to overcome one’s fears or apprehensions for a new work or activity.
So if how we see ourselves is what decides how we lead our lives, is it possible to improve on our lives by changing the way we see ourselves? Actually, the answer is almost always a resounding yes.
This is why
- an obese person, with fondness for food, develops the self discipline to exercise and eat right to lose weight
- an injured person discovers way to carry on with life despite the injury, and
- an addict gives up on addiction.
Once we start looking at ourselves with new eyes, it’s possible to change our decisions and our life subsequently.
Samaira is now a very successful and inspiring kindergarten teacher. When I look at her life, I found that she has worked wonders with her self image. She tackles all problems without panicking, and not only looks after her own family, but is a caregiver for her elderly parents as well.
Samaira credits all her success to the time she spends with her little students, who exude so much of positive energy.
Thomas Harris, in his book, ‘I am Ok, You are Ok’, has said, that every person’s psyche consists of rules which he lives by, emotions which guide him, and rationality which lives inside him.
At a cost of simplifying a popular theory, we can summarily say that it’s important to increase the rational thinking power of people to improve on his/her self image.
A few tips to increasing self image
Tip #1: Positive Thinking
Concentrating of positive sides of events or experiences, accepting compliments for work done, and concentrating on end results or goals often act as positive reinforcements that give us confidence.
Read all about positive thing in power of positive thinking
Tip #2: Learning To De-Stress
Daily life has a way of creating majorly stressful moments that cause frustrations that eat into our self image. Developing a way to distress oneself every day through exercises and hobbies often work wonders for a positive self image.
Learn all about stress management in tips to manage stress
Tip #3: Cultivate Positive Social Circle
People, who think positive, often act as guides, friends and role-models to others. Their constant positive comments about us improve the way we look at ourselves.
Conclusion
It’s important to have a positive self image to succeed in profession; career or life, for the way we look at ourselves is often reflected in our body language.
Our postures are often picked up and assessed by strangers in front of us within 15 seconds of meeting them. A good self image makes for a confident person.
Article by Moumita Basu
Moumita has written 9 articles.
Moumita Basu is a writer and a soft-skills trainer. She works for a news agency. When not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading and travelling, preferably doing all three together..
