Lifting Your Self Worth For A Happier Life
Are Toxic People Bringing You Down?
The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet is filled with love, loss, and rivalry.
Despite the romanticized turmoil between the two lovers, there was one vital component that connected the star-crossed lovers forever; poison.
Although this deadly concoction eliminated a lifetime of turmoil, it took the life of two young lovers.
This toxic poison was masked as a means of escape, but really, it led to their ultimate demise.
Toxic people can disguise themselves as beacons of light, as opposed to revealing their true intentions.
Romeo and Juliet felt that poison was their means of escape. Similarly, we may allow toxic people to taint our energy without even realizing the full implications of their actions.
They may appear to be helpful or inspiring. In reality, they are manipulative and utterly condescending.
We all encounter toxic people on a daily basis who drain our energy and seek to bring us down.
Can you identify those sources of negativity? As mentioned, deadly individuals may not be easy to identify.
However, their behavior speaks volumes. If you have experienced feelings of shame, embarrassment, or distress, analyze your surroundings.
Let’s consider valuable gems that will help you to determine if toxic people are tainting your energy.
Do You Feel Constant Anxiety Around Certain individuals?
Individuals who exhibit signs of instability are outwardly toxic as their actions are unpredictable.
Rightly so, their behavior can cause feelings of anxiety and ultimate discomfort.
If you feel high levels of inner stress when engaging in certain social circles, it’s wise to remove yourself from their presence. By doing so, you are creating a sense of mental clarity.
Do You Feel As If Your Needs Aren’t Respected?
Toxic individuals feel a deep lack of self-respect on the inside.
Therefore, they seek to dismiss your needs to emphasize theirs. Likely, they’ve experiences a loss of love from someone important in their past. They are trying to fill that void by shouting for approval through manipulation. They are receivers as opposed to givers. Some simple signs are:
• The inability to accept your needs when expressed.
• A lack of understanding when others express themselves.
• Constantly taking every situation personally, even if it has nothing to do with them.
• A complete disregard for your opinion or ideals.
• Condescending and authoritative behavior demonstrated through words or body language.
Notice how these individuals speak to you and consider how much you are giving to them.
These individuals are toxic because they have no sense of respect for anyone other than themselves. Notice this and act to get your needs heard.
Do You Constantly Feed Offended By Their Words or Actions?
A popular saying is, “Hurt people hurt people.”
This is evident when considering the actions of toxic individuals. They are resentful or insecure about their personal lot in life.
Therefore, they try to point out your flaws. Sometimes, this behavior can be masked as, “I am only trying to guide you.” In reality, they are slowly bringing you down.
If you notice that the motive exhibited by others isn’t true, eliminate yourself from them.
Their negativity will only grow harsher. These individuals need to come to terms with their insecurities before making valuable relationships.
Are They Sources of Constant Negativity?
Finally, individuals who find delight in drama, gossip, or personal misfortune are toxic.
They are ultimately draining as they aren’t seeking a real solution.
Rather, they find comfort in backing in negativity. If you find that someone is constantly complaining or venting about their problems to you, that will ultimately drain your energy.
Perhaps distance yourself from them so your personal mood isn’t affected.
When evaluating the individuals in your life, it’s imperative to choose wisely.
The energy of others can easily transmit into your own feelings of happiness. When individuals experience high amount of inner turmoil, it’s no secret that they will project those feelings onto others.
Analyze why toxic people behave the way they do and seek understanding. Most importantly, remove yourself from their pollution and embrace individuals who enlighten you. By choosing wise associates, you will feel inspired and confident.
Self-Worth: Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
Many of us thrive in a competitive atmosphere, but sadly it also creates a society where we compare ourselves to others constantly.
We do it without thinking, it’s just an automatic response, but it’s impacting your self-worth.
Why Comparisons Are Bad
While we all may be guilty of making comparisons from time to time, there are a lot of us who fall into the nasty habit of always comparing ourselves to others.
Whether it’s to do with how much we have or how happy we are. We hold ourselves to unrealistic standards and put down our own accomplishments.
One issue with comparisons is that it’s easy to find someone who is thinner than you, has better dress sense, has more money or seems more confident.
It means that you’re always trying to be like other people, rather than striving to be your authentic self.
One of the biggest things necessary to improve your self-esteem is living honestly.
As your self-esteem increases so will your need to compare yourselves to others. What kind of benefits can you expect to experience when you learn to stop making comparisons with those around you?
You will start to feel less self-conscious, which means you’re more relaxed with yourself, less stressed, more focused, more confident, your self-esteem will grow, and you can focus on yourself.
How To Break The Habit
Be Aware – we often make these comparisons without realizing what we’re doing. It’s something we do without thinking, but the key is to become aware of it.
Start by being more conscious of your thoughts and when they crop up, start focusing on them to stop yourself. Awareness is the key to breaking the habit – but don’t be hard on yourself when you notice the habit crop up.
Change Your Focus – it’s difficult to focus on life’s positives when you’re caught up looking at what everyone else has. As hard as it may be, look at everything you have and embrace the people who love you.
Focus On Your Strengths – stop focusing on your weaknesses and start looking at all of your strengths. Don’t be afraid to celebrate those, that doesn’t mean you have to brag – it just means using them to your advantage.
Accept Imperfection – you know that no one is perfect and that includes you. Despite the fact that we know that, we also can’t help but strive for it. No one is a perfect person and it’s time that you accept yourself as you are, flaws and all.
Don’t Criticize Others – it’s easy to do, especially when we are feeling low and want to feel better about ourselves. However, cutting someone else down is a destructive habit, especially when you undermine them to their face. It leads to hurt, on both ends.
Walk Your Journey – never forget that life is a journey and we are all walking our own path. You can’t compare yours to others because we’re all in different places and have traveled a different road with different obstacles. Your journey doesn’t hinge on how someone else is doing on theirs – your journey is about you, so walk it and stay focused on that.
Love – how will you feel as though your life is enough if you’re always looking at what everyone else has and wanting it for yourself?
It will leave you always wanting more which is an endless cycle of disappointment. It doesn’t matter how many houses you buy or cars you have, the label on your clothes doesn’t matter.
It will never be enough because there is always going to be someone who has more than you do. If you have a roof over your head, clothes to wear, food to eat, people who you love and who love you back… then you are doing pretty well for yourself. Anything more than that is just gravy.