LOVE YOURSELF FIRST

Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for your well-being and happiness. Self-love means taking care of your own needs and not sacrificing your well-being to please others.

There is a connection between low self-esteem and addiction the two issues are extremely hard to separate, and one easily leads to the other. Low self-esteem is a contributing factor in addiction, and addictive behaviors also destroy self-worth.

Low self-esteem has been linked to the start of drug use, and research has also shown a connection between low self-esteem and behavioral addictions including internet addiction, eating problems, and compulsive spending. While alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors can be used to mask insecurities and can even make people feel more confident, these feelings are short-lived.

Having low self-esteem results in self-medicating, turning to drugs to numb pain and escape from reality. Although these substances seem like a way of escape, they are not. Instead of using your drug of choice, try using the tools below to improve your self-esteem:

8 Tools For Developing Higher Self-Esteem

1. When you make a mistake, it is best to own up to it and correct it, rather than ignore it and pretend it didn’t happen. Self-respect and power come from admitting your mistakes, learning from them and taking corrective action.
2. When you look at yourself in the mirror, embrace your beauty rather than pointing out your flaws. When you embrace your beauty and uniqueness, that is true self-acceptance.
3. Take responsibility for your own results instead of blaming others for your problems. Taking responsibility for your thoughts, words, and actions will set you free from the pain of blame and guilt.
4. You have the right to express your wants, needs, and self-worth; and to be treated with respect by others. Acknowledge your needs as important and respectfully assert yourself.
5. You can create anything when your life has purpose, focus, and direction. You have the potential to be so much more than you might imagine; the most important thing is that your life has meaning for you.
6. Keep your commitments to yourself and others. By honoring your commitments, you demonstrate integrity, and credibility, and earn respect.
7. Positive self-talk empowers you, makes you stronger, and builds confidence. To eliminate negative self-talk: (1) recognize it; (2) interrupt it; and (3) replace it with positive messages.
8. By trusting yourself, you can keep what other people say to you in perspective without becoming defensive. Your strong sense of self-worth allows you to maintain your power. You will still hear what others have to say without feeling bad about yourself.

©Wanda Currie

Vision of Recovery believes in and practices a non-denominational Christian perspective on Addiction Recovery/Mental Health Care. Vision of Recovery integrates biblically based information with coaching and counseling interventions to treat the whole person: Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically.