One of the things I love about psychiatry, is that I get to work with individuals who are unique and fascinating.
No one is the same except in one way—most of my patients are plagued with negative thinking patterns and have a very low self-image of themselves.
No matter how outwardly successful they are, many of my patients see themselves in a negative light. They use words like lazy, inadequate, vulnerable, bad, unlucky, limited and fragile to describe themselves. Does this sound familiar? I suspect that low self-image is not just a function of the group that seeks help from a psychiatrist, but is an experience shared by many more.
It’s time to understand that your unhappiness is often a result of negative thinking patterns and low self-image. Many people insist that their low view of themselves is an accurate picture, based on real experiences of bad actions, failure, disappointment and rejection. They’re very attached to deeply held negative thinking patterns even though this is the source of inner misery, hate, guilt, insecurity, jealousy, paralyzing fear and inaction.
But it is possible to change your negative thinking patterns and start seeing yourself in a new way.
If you want to feel better and achieve whatever it is you want, it’s essential to let go of the low self-image you have of yourself. If you see yourself as weak, inadequate, unattractive or overly sensitive, how likely will you be to pursue what you long for? Recognize that every one of your choices depends entirely on how you see yourself. You can step forward or hold back, try something new or settle for an old routine, or work hard or avoid opportunities.
If you feel afraid of the world, it’s because you think of yourself as small and lowly. But when you let go of negative views of yourself as fragile, bad or inadequate, you open yourself to the truth found in your heart. The truth is that your worth is immeasurable, you deserve happiness and you’re already fully capable of the hard work and inspiration you need to achieve what you want in life.
It’s in Heart that you get fresh perspective to see how you’ve been carrying around a wrong, made up image of yourself not based on facts. It’s like waking up from a dream and realizing that you’ve been handling really hard situations all this time. It’s realizing that your strength is bigger than your fear and that you’re capable of unimaginable love and hard work. Those are the facts!
How do you let go of a negative self-image that has been holding you back? It starts by acknowledging where you are now and admitting that you’re hurting. It’s also acknowledging that your negative thinking patterns created a low self-image. But these thinking patterns don’t have to last forever.
Once upon a time, you knew that you were strong, worthy and inspired.
Getting back to that place requires reasoning your way there. I suggest finding a quiet place to give yourself some space and deeply question your current image of yourself.
Start by listing those automatic negative beliefs about yourself and announcing with each one “says who?” Then close your eyes and say, “I can choose to see myself as lowly and afraid, or as whole and capable. I can choose to see my fear as important or unimportant. And if my fear is unimportant, then I am free to be all of me. I am strong, confident, loving, inspired, imperfect and brave.”
Heart will help you look inward, gain confidence and allow yourself to envision new possibilities for yourself. Give it a try.
Heartfelt wishes,
Amy
Photo credit: BigStock
