Can you list what you like about yourself?

[mmMekitty]

Hello everyone! [Grinning LRC*]

Please, as a challenge or to share, I would like to invite anyone & everyone to write a list of any length you want, of what you like about yourself.

We might even have a discussion about what to include on these lists or not.

Most of all, for this Discussion, I hope, for those who find this really difficult, that reading what others like about themselves will give you some ideas of what is possible. Maybe you will find you like some of these things about yourself?

Big hugzies to everyone

mmMekitty

* LRC = Little Red cat, who wasn't really so little.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Paws & Woofa 

What you list here says a lot about your character, which surely is caring, thoughtful & kind. 

What do you reckon Woofa would say he likes about himself?

I wasn't encouraged to pipe up & say proudly anything I might have thought was good about myself, or to talk of thingsI thought I'd done well. That would be boasting, & my parents & maybe other kids too would say s"What do you want, a medal or a chest to pin it on?", or here, in Australia, you'd be called a 'poser' by other kids. Or that you've 'got tickets on yourself' or you are big noting yourself.

Howeasy the put-downs come, even in this inferred way.

Paws, & everyone, I hope you understand, your list does not have to end here. Return again, & add to your list anytime. Re-read over these lists, to remind yourself whenever you are in doubt. The qualities you have are precious & are the building blocks of the wonderful person you are.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

[sbella02]

Paws & mmMekitty,

That's so true, I feel like there's a bit of a culture in Australia of being self-deprecating, and talking about things that we may be doing well is perceived as boasting, when self-love is actually a good thing. 

Loving reading through everyone's lists of what they like about themselves, it's making my heart really happy. 

SB x

[sbella02]

mmMekitty, you're right, I do see your post now! We must've posted at a similar time, or we were being moderated at the same time so it hadn't quite appeared yet. 

I too like your new philosophy, and I've been trying to do something similar recently too. Perfection is unattainable, and it's a great thing to be able to accept it.

I'm glad that you're finding enjoyment in singing once again. I don't know if I've said it here before, but it annoys me how natural human activities like singing and dancing are treated like commodities or skills that you have to master in order to practice. You don't have to be Celine Dion to enjoy singing, it's a very natural human behaviour that can help us express who we are. 

SB

[Doolhof]

Thanks for this thread mmMekitty.

I am going to give this a go as I know how hard I am on myself at times!

I am also going to start a new journal and will add to my list as time goes.

Okay, things I like about myself:

- I try to treat all people equally

- I am aware when I mess up and try to apologise to people when I have behaved inappropriately

- I care for nature, respect it and am thankful for opportunities to witness nature's beauty

- I have a strong work ethic

- I can be creative

- I have a sense of humour

This may take some time and thought!

[mmMekitty]

Hi Dools, great to see you here, too.

That list is wonderful at least half of it is about reaching outside of yourself into the world, being considerate & caring about people & nature.

I think journalling is a great thing to do, to help yourself reflect upon who you are, where you are, what you think & feel in the moments while you write. When I did lots of writing of my thoughts & feelings, here alone, to myself, it was more to just get them out. My handwriting was often illegible, which was a great excuse for not looking back over what I'd written. The only feedback I had was what was already in my head.

It turned into a step towards talking, voicing what I felt & thought to that psychiatrist back in 1993.

If you struggle voicing your thoughts & feelings, writing them out helps to organise them, & then, when you need to speak it's easier.

If you look back, see how far you've come. You will be happily surprised. No doubt about that.

Hugzies

mmMekitty

PS I think you are right; it's the moderation. [smiling LRC]

[mmMekitty]

Heheh,the PS was meant to be addressed to you, SB.

About the singing, dancing, movement in general, all creativ actives - evidence is showing how beneficial it is for mental health. No technical skill is required to take up a brusbrush to move a body part in arcs & such, to let out a sound whether to sing or to recite a poem, or when taking part in a play. These things are often social & very often, a whole lot of fun.

I had become very self-conscious about people hearing me sing. When I realised what I would lose if I continued to allow that feeling to hamper me, as well as what I'd gain  by allowing myself to let that self-consciousness go my path was wide open to me.

It makes me ask myself, why do I hang on to these ideas & beliefs about myself, which only hold me back?

I don't have an answer for that, yet.

I like that I am able to hear questions & being able to take time think about the answers, allowing for the possibility that there may not be answers to some  uestions, or only partial answers, or a variety of answers, or more questions.

Hugzies

mmMekitty 

[Summer Rose]

Hi mmMekitty

Love this thread!  I really enjoyed reading everyone's lists--thank you all for sharing.

I've been having a rough time lately and I think it will really lift my spirits to give this a go. I like that:

• I never give up on anyone or anything.
• While I may initially fall to pieces in difficult circumstances, I always find a way to get back up.
• I love deeply, readily and generously, and I'm always ready to extend a hand in friendship to new people I meet.

Kind thoughts to all

[mmMekitty]

Question:

Do you like this about yourself - being a unique individual person?

Ponder a while.

mmMekitty

[mmMekitty]

Hi Summer Rose. I'm glad to see you here.

Thanks for your list, which shows how much resilience you have & your openness to new friendships.

Sometimes it takes a little turn our attention to something which makes us feel good, so, I ope a little nudge to see the goodness in you helps you feel better.

I've seen around BB how you warmly reach out to talk to & support others. 

I hope this means you are more comfortable with the forums again?

Seeing the pink of your Summer Rose picture cheers me when I see it on a page.

Hugzies

mmmekitty

[Summer Rose]

Hi mmMekitty

Thanks for your very kind words. I am very comfortable once again on the forum after bb took steps to address the privacy issues myself and others raised. And I am very grateful to the team for listening and responding.

Unfortunately, I am still experiencing operational challenges, as I don’t receive notifications when others post on a thread I’m participating on. I understand it’s a complicated issue that’s being worked on. 

My resilience has been tested lately, but I have reminded myself that I can deal with what’s in front of me and I’m working on it.

Reading the inspirational stories of others here at the forum always fills me with hope.

I really enjoy your presence and contribution in our community too 💜

Kind thoughts to you