Self Esteem And Self Image
- Personality Crisis
Your self esteem and self image are intertwined at the core of your being. So who are you, really?This is a commonly-overlooked issue - just for the moment, forget about any self esteem issues and ways you can improve on them. Let's turn attention to your self image - the representation of your identity and your foundation. Let's look first at the notion of your gender and how comfortable you are with your portrayal of it. Each gender has its stereotypes, its 'caveman' origins, and its modern adaptations. What is your unique take, and does that do justice to what you feel your gender is capable of? Gender roles continually evolve in our society and sometimes we can lose track of ourselves. In Western society, men have evolved from traditional 'hunter-gatherer' to the post-feminist 'new man'. Women have evolved from traditional 'home-maker' to the more career-focussed 'new woman'. There have been hard-fought and necessary shake-ups to work-related gender inequalities, but outside of work there are now identity issues surfacing. Recently, people of both sexes have noticed that a balance of the new with the old are what they feel they would like now. Imagine some of the characteristics that traditionally defined your gender and notice which ones might actually enhance your modern self. This doesn't mean back-tracking or 'selling out', simply owning your gender and benefitting from its strengths. Remember, self esteem and self image are connected - so, how do you see yourself? Close your eyes and make a mental image of yourself standing in front of you. Ask yourself:
• What do I notice: body language, appearance, manner?
• What is my first impression of this person?
• Do I think I could get on well with this person? Next, imagine your ideal self standing in front of you and ask yourself the same questions. That ideal self is an impressive creature, eh! And they're based on your values and ideals - think about that for a moment - only you can be that ultimate realisation of everything that is important to you. It would be a waste if that person never existed. This is your truth. Close your eyes again and bring back the ideal you. Reach out to embrace eachother, and as you do, pull eachother into yourself. Feel that connection and that powerful energy move through you - this is how you are meant to be. That's right. So, who are you? Well, I clearly don't need to ask that any more - goodness, you've changed! There's a sort of glow about you, a sense of purpose and a firm grounding - Now, onwards and upwards...
Next article - Self Criticism
Return from Self Esteem And Self Image to Overcoming Low Self Esteem
Return from Self Esteem And Self Image to Free Self Help Articles
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