Ways to Compliment Yourself

You may find it easy to compliment your friends and loved ones but have a difficult time in complimenting yourself. Positive self-talk in the form of compliments can enhance your mood and self-esteem and help create self-confidence. Give yourself a gift; try to compliment yourself the way you would your best friend.

Look in the Mirror

• Don't be afraid to look in the mirror. Focus on the things you like about yourself. Maybe it's your hair, your eyes or even your feet. Whatever it is, tell yourself how much you like that particular trait and play it up. If you like your eyes, experiment with eye makeup to enhance the color and shape and make them pop. If your hair is No. 1 on your list, experiment with new hairstyles to accentuate it. Get a pedicure and new pair of open-toe sandals to show off your feet.

Positive Thoughts

• Catch yourself when you think negative thoughts about yourself and restate them in a positive way. For example, if you are overwhelmed with your family's schedule and you forget to pay a bill one month, avoid calling yourself stupid and berating yourself for ruining your perfect track record. Instead, tell yourself you are generally a reliable, organized person who had a human moment and forgot. Use your positive thoughts to gain the confidence to call the biller and explain your situation. Most likely, if you have a good track record, the representative will be understanding and remove your late fees.

Positive Self-Talk

• You can hear negativity anywhere you go. You don't need to hear it from yourself. Get up every day, look in the mirror and say "I love you" to yourself. Talk yourself up and remind yourself of all the good you do for others -- your kindness, generosity, helpfulness and honesty. Listen to yourself and give to yourself in the same manner that you do your friends and family. What would you say to them if they put themselves down? Avoid falling into that trap yourself. Your thoughts affect your mood and your mood affects your behavior. Change what you can control, which includes the words you speak in your head.

Notes to Yourself

• Some people have difficulty at first giving themselves compliments aloud. If this is you, write yourself a note. Leave positive affirmations wherever you can see them. Use them to compliment your physical attributes as well as your character traits. Compliment yourself on your friendliness, your compassion or your sense of humor. Don't forget your ability to cheer other people up. This will help you to become a more positive person as you internalize your compliments rather than waiting for someone else to give you one.