Good Self-image – Positive Reflection Of The Week

How To Have A Good Self-image?- By Shahwana Khanam

We usually struggle in life and wonder ‘why am I not good enough‘. As we grow older, we then start seeking approvals of others & wait for them to acknowledge ‘something good’ we have done. Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting praise. However, have you thought of yourself to be this person with good qualities, or have you felt good about it? Or do you end up criticizing your actions & your behaviours, and always end up having that feeling of ‘I am not good enough’? Now such is a sign, that we may be having a low self-image.

So what’s a good self-image?

A positive self-image is having a good view of yourself; for example: Seeing yourself as an attractive and desirable person. Having an image of yourself as a smart and intelligent person. Or even seeing a happy, healthy person when you look in the mirror.

But how many of us do that?

So how do I build this image? First, you need to reflect and understand what is reality? Sometimes you hide the truth and then you develop an ego to hide weakness, one starts being loud and angry try to gain power, these are some of the signs of hiding that ‘low self-image’. Such signs are unnoticeable until trouble appears, or relationship issues begin, or when one has no friends, or when the feeling of loneliness creeps in & usually this happens at a later stage. So you need to reflect and change that negative image you have about yourself into a positive one.

Remember no one is perfect, everyone is trying their best, and everyone does not bring 100% A’s in their exams. People fail, but that does not make them unworthy in society. We all have our own good qualities, we know certain things that others don’t, we are good in somethings we do, so learn to acknowledge them.

Do not compare yourself to others, you are a unique edition.

Many times, the image we have has been created by others, for us, that’s not the true you. Parents, teachers, friends, sometimes label you, but is that the true you? Or a label someone gave you? Remember, one can thrive and overcome fears, one can do it. Remind your self daily of the good qualities you have, that builds up your self-esteem. For more information, you can visit: http://www.psychology.com

How Identity is Related?

Identity is a closely related concept but it is also a larger and more comprehensive one than self-image. Identity is our overall idea of who we are. As self-concept and self-esteem expert Roy Baumeister puts it: “The term ‘identity’ refers to the definitions that are created for and superimposed on the self”(1997, p. 681). In other words, identity is the whole picture of who we believe we are—and who we tell ourselves and others that we are—while self-image is one piece of that picture.

The Psychology of Self-Image Theory
One of the earliest mentions of any type of theory about self-image came from a renowned psychologist Morris Rosenberg. His 1965 book ‘Society and the Adolescent Self-Image’ was one of the first in-depth explorations of the concept, and it also provided one of the most-cited psychology scales ever: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The book itself has been cited in peer-reviewed publications over 35,000 times (as of December 2nd, 2018).

Since then, interest has remained steady in “self” constructs, but most of the attention has been aimed at self-image’s cousins: self-esteem, self-concept, self-worth, self-efficacy, self-confidence, etc. As such, there isn’t really one unifying theory of self-image.

However, we do know that self-image is based on our perceptions of reality, that it is built over a lifetime and continues to change as we do and that it’s something we have some influence over. You can visit https://positivepsychology.com for more information.

Low self-image can also have another side effect, that’s the development of negative pride. Watch out for that!

“Develop the mind of equilibrium.
You will always be getting praise and blame,
but do not let either affect the poise of the mind:
follow the calmness, the absence of pride.” – Atisha

One huge tip: to have a good self-image is to practice humility. Reach out when you need help. Look at yourself in the mirror and appreciate the good in you, that is a start. Remember you are the best image of you & that there is no one else like you!

Shahwana Khanam – Pranic Healer