You’re very careful not to let down others, especially when you give them your word about something. You are ready to do the impossible just to fulfill your promises and to stand behind what you say.
Well, it’s time to start behaving in the same manner towards yourself as well. Time to make some crucial promises to yourself and stick to them for as long as you breathe.
Here they are.
To accept yourself…
First and foremost, you have to promise yourself that you’ll always accept your true self, without allowing others to change you. No, you’re not perfect and you shouldn’t even try to be – you have your own flaws.
However, you need to accept the imperfections too. Be aware that even those things you don’t like about yourself have built you into the person you’re today, so please don’t dishonor them.
Don’t change the essence of your personality for the sake of some guy you think would love you more if you were different.
Don’t do it to impress your boss or best friend, or because your family asks you to. And don’t do it just to fit in. You are you, whether others like it or not.
…but constantly work on self-improvement
Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t aspire to always be better.
You see, there is a huge difference between modifying yourself to please someone else and noticing some of the things you yourself would like to improve about yourself.
Promise to yourself that you’ll never allow yourself to be trapped in your comfort zone, just because you’re too scared to step out of it and try some new things.
Promise to yourself that you’ll always believe in your own abilities, that you’ll always be ambitious and put all possible effort into making your dreams turn into reality.
To put yourself first
You know how your entire life you’ve been taught that selfishness is an awful quality? That the worst thing you can do is be egocentric who doesn’t care about other people.
And that is something I couldn’t agree more on. However, what you obviously forgot is that prioritizing yourself over others is everything but selfish and evil.
In fact, it’s exactly what you should be doing.
This might sound harsh but everyone in your life, except you, is replaceable. Yes, you should definitely cherish your relationships with others, but please, never forget that your relationship with yourself comes before anything else.
To pick your battles
You’re a fighter and that is something to be proud of. That said, please promise yourself that from now on, you’ll choose your battles a little bit wiser.
Not everything and everyone deserves a hundred percent of your effort. Stop losing your nerve over every little thing and for a change, sometimes just let go.
Most importantly, promise yourself that you’ll stop fighting other people’s battles.
Yes, helping out a friend or a family member is great, but ultimately, it’s not your job to save anyone or resolve all of their problems.
Preserve your inner peace and mental health above everything else because if you lose it, you’ll have to invest incredible amounts of energy and time to get it back.
To leave the past in the past…
Emotional baggage can cause you more troubles than you might think. Nevertheless, sadly, most of us, including you, carry that load on our shoulders.
Well, please promise yourself that from now on, you’ll be leaving the past behind you, where it belongs.
Accept that some things and some events happened the way they did and there is nothing you can do about it.
You can’t change your past by thinking about it or by wishing it turned out differently. In fact, the only thing that’ll get you is you allowing it to destroy your present and future.
…but to learn from it
However, that doesn’t mean that you should forget everything that went on before this given moment. Instead, vow to learn from the past and never repeat your mistakes.
Own up to them, take responsibility, and analyze to the point where you know what you did wrong and how you can make sure it never happens again.
Take everything that’s been going on in your life as a valuable lesson.
Don’t forget that even the bad things happen for a reason. They’re there to teach you and help you become the person you’re destined to be.
Never to settle for less
One of the most important promises all of us have to make to ourselves is to remember how much we deserve and never to settle for anything less.
This applies to your romantic relationships, friends, family, work, and all other segments of your life.
Stop putting up with crap from others just because you expect them to change or just because you love them.
From now on, stop giving more than you receive and only let in the people who give you exactly the same amount of effort they’re receiving from you.
Remember your worth and don’t let anyone try to convince you that you’re not enough. No, you’re not asking for too much and you’re not too picky – you just have standards and dealbreakers.
To be kind to yourself
You know how you’re full of understanding toward everyone around you?
How you never judge them, forget their misdeeds, find justification for their bad behavior, and somehow manage to forgive them, no matter what you do?
You know how you always find a way to comfort your friends and put a smile back on their face, even when they’re at their lowest?
How you listen to them when they need it and make sure they never feel bad?
Well, why shouldn’t you start treating yourself in the same manner? Why shouldn’t you make a vow to be caring and kind toward yourself more than you are toward others?
Not to hide your emotions
In today’s society, showing feelings has become a sign of weakness. Well, let me tell you that it is actually one of the biggest proofs of your inner strength.
It means that you have what it takes to face your emotions, including the ones you don’t like and would prefer not having.
You are brave enough to look them straight in the eye and to deal with them the healthiest way possible.
That’s why I’m asking you to make a promise that you’ll never try repressing your emotions ever again.
I’m not saying that you should allow them to get the best of you or overwhelm you, but please, don’t think they’ll go away if you pretend they don’t exist.
To let go of toxicity and negativity
Another important promise to make is to cut off everyone who makes you feel bad.
It is to stop with the habits and things that bring negativity in your life, and move away from everything and everyone toxic.
I don’t care how long you have known that friend or whether this is your sibling we’re talking about – if someone brings pessimism and darkness in your life, you have to kick them out of it, or at least reduce your contact to the bare minimum.
You don’t need emotional vampires, liars, cheaters, manipulators, narcissists, and other types of toxic people who are only making you miserable.
To listen to your heart
I won’t lie to you – going after your heart will probably bring you more than one trouble.
So, you definitely shouldn’t blindly follow it without even taking what your brain has to say into consideration.
However, please, promise me that you’ll at least listen to its desires and that once in a while, you’ll do exactly what it tells you.
Yes, you might fail, but you’ll know you did exactly what you wanted and that satisfaction will be more than enough.
Pay more attention to the signals your intuition sends you and be aware that it is rarely mistaken. You don’t always have to do the right thing!
Not to live by other people’s standards
Remember: You don’t depend on anyone, so why should you listen to other people’s opinions?
Hearing out a piece of advice is one thing, but living your own life on someone else’s terms and being a people pleaser is completely different.
Promise yourself that you’ll stop doing things just because they’re expected of you. That you won’t be worried about fitting in and following some imaginary social standards that serve you no good.
Don’t you ever forget that you’re the only one who makes the rules – the only one who is responsible for your own life.
To celebrate life
Please, start enjoying every breath you take.
No, you don’t necessarily have to spend each day like it’s your last and like there is no tomorrow, but at least sometimes, live in the moment and appreciate all of your blessings.
Be thankful for the fact that you’re alive, healthy, and sane. For the fact that you’re loved and that you have more than enough for a decent life.
Be a little more optimistic and focus on the good things that are happening to you, instead of constantly beating yourself up about the bad ones. Celebrate life and celebrate yourself!
To respect and appreciate yourself
In theory, we all demand respect and you’re no exception. However, how can you expect others to give it to you, unless you start respecting yourself first?
That is exactly why I’m here to ask you to promise that you’ll start respecting your time, space, thoughts, desires, and dreams a little more.
That you’ll start respecting yourself as a daughter, sister, friend, woman, and individual.
Vow to learn how to appreciate your sacrifices more. To stop allowing people to take you for granted or take advantage of you.
Respect and appreciate your body and heart. Respect and appreciate yourself!
To be happy
Finally, promise yourself that you’ll do everything in your power to make yourself as happy as possible. Because that’s all of our final goal.
Happiness can mean a lot of things, but what matters is that you feel it deep from within, no matter what happens.
Be aware that you’re the only creator of your life and the only one who can make herself truly happy, before expecting someone else to do it.
Make a promise that you’ll never do anything to break your own heart and that you’ll forever remain in pursuit of happiness and inner peace. Because at the end of the day, that’s what counts.
