Negative Space and Self Esteem
Welcome back!
I have been thinking about posting another brainfood post for a while but I wasn't exactly sure what to write. My last post about introversion was better received than I thought so I thought I would do another personal mind post about what I determine negative space is and how you can improve your self esteem.
As always I have included a few illustrations to help this post along.
First things first I do not suffer from any sort of mental health illness but like many other people I do struggle with self-esteem and how I perceive myself. This is a huge problem amongst the general population because today's society teaches us that self-love is arrogant and big-headed. But self-love is okay. As the famous saying goes how can you expect someone to love you if you do not love yourself? So grab yourself a cup of tea because we are going to be here for a while...
When a person suffers with self-esteem issues it does not always mean they are uncomfortable with the way they look, they could in fact be uncomfortable with what they are and aren't good at, what decisions they make ect. When I have days like this I know that I am in a negative space in my own mind, because the way I perceive myself is completely different to how other people perceive me. When I am in a negative space my day normally goes like this:
But I am here to say hell no to those days because there are ways that you can counter act these feelings.
1. CUT OUT NEGATIVE PEOPLE.
The first way to combat negative space is quite simply to surround yourself with positive people- friends and family alike. Make sure that everyone in your life supports you and your goals. If there is one thing I have learnt it is that negative people can make your self-esteem worst. Even if they are not bashing your dreams or insulting you personally they can still influence your mood. People who are bitter, jealous or angry can make you feel that way about yourself. The best thing to do when you find yourself in this situation is just to distance yourself from this person therefore their negativity will not be able to affect you anymore.
2. SPEND TIME WITH YOURSELF.
Another step that you can put in place is to spend a little bit more time with yourself. Enjoy your own company do things that you enjoy doing. It doesn't matter what. It could be anything from reading and writing to drawing and painting. Meditation is also a good way to relax whilst in your own company. Like all relationships, your relationship with yourself takes time to grow. Don't expect an instant fix from this step but over time you will discover more and more about yourself and eventually improve your self-esteem.
3. EXERCISE.
This is more of a scientific approach. It is a known fact that exercise releases feel-good hormones and chemicals in your brain called endorphins. This gives your body the feeling of positivity and better self body image. If you really hate exercise, start off slow- go for a walk by yourself or do some morning stretches. Trust me you will feel better for it, not just physically but also mentally and emotionally!
4. SLEEP AND DIET.
Sleeping and food? That's something we all enjoy. However stuffing your face with pizza and having afternoon naps is not going to make you feel better about yourself. But having a healthy sleep pattern and balanced diet will. Try to not stay up into the early hours of the morning, instead go to bed at a sensible time that will allow you have at least eight hours of rest. A lack of sleep can cause you to have exaggerated negative feelings which can make your self-esteem worst. Steering clear of junk food or food high in artificial sugars will also improve your mind set. Artificial sugars can make you feel happy for an instance but in the long run they will make your body crash out and feel sluggish, not a feeling that helps.
I hope these tips will help you on your way to a happier, healthier you! However it is very important that I literate that sometimes people get down and that is okay- it does not mean you have a mental health illness. But if you think you need help and guidance you should always consult a doctor. There are also many helpful mental health charities that you could contact too such as: mind, sane and rethink. Additionally there are many other helplines in the UK you can call like the samaritans.
But remember everyone, you are all beautiful!
