If I asked, “Name five things you hate about yourself” you could probably give me an answer without much thinking. Sadly, the same may not be true for the question, “Name five things you like about yourself.”
Which makes it all the more important to consider the question. We humans tend toward negative thinking and sometimes we need to remember the positive truths that are just as valid as the negative ones.
So I ask you—Name five things you like about yourself.
Having trouble answering the question? Here are a series of prompts to spur your thinking: [And in italics I’ve added a personal answer to each one as an example.]
- What aspects of your personality do you appreciate? [My ability to think logically and calmly.]
- Name something you are good at. [Writing blog posts.]
- What aspects of your current living situation are you thankful for? [Living in such a beautiful corner of the country. I am so blessed to live in this time and place.]
- List a positive habit you manage to keep most of the time. [Eating healthily.]
- Name something others appreciate about you. [My quirky sense of humor.]
- List a tough situation you’ve overcome or a challenging goal you’ve achieved. [Surviving parenthood.]
- Name something you love to do. [Take walks in the woods.]
- What does your pet (or child, or grandchild) love about you? [My lap is always available when she feels like snuggling.]
- Name one positive decision you’ve made this week. [Doing my exercise routine even when I didn’t feel like it.]
- What memories bring you joy? [The good family times we’ve had in the last month.]
If you came up with one answer to each of the prompts you’ve listed not five but ten things you like about yourself. Congratulations.
Now, as you go about your week, be intentional about remembering your answers. All of us are made in the image of God. We all have good qualities. We all have potential. And we need to remind ourselves of that.
I hope the next time someone asks, “Name five things you like about yourself” you can answer the question with confidence.
Aww what an awesome post! You’re so right, people will come up with 5 things they hate about themselves quicker. 5 things you like is so much better!
That’s why I am intentional about helping people see the positive side of life. Thanks for your encouraging comments.
It’s so true. Someone asked on Twitter the other day what my 13-year-old self would think of me today and my first thought was they’d skip past all our dreams coming true and instead they’d focus on how we need to lose 30 pounds :/ living intentionally is definitely harder than it seems, yet so much more fulfilling. Here’s to doing the hard work of being and feeling how we want to.
It is hard work, but so worth it. May you be able to see the positive things in your life this week.