rethinking self esteem #4

money CAN buy you happiness.

stuff DOES make you happy.

the problem is there is a difference between happiness and self esteem.

money can't buy self esteem. 

stuff doesn't make you feel better about yourself. you just feel better about the stuff you own. 

we have to draw a distinction between happy with what you own and happy with who you are. 

self esteem comes entirely from within.

self esteem allows you to be happy with yourself regardless of what you do or don't own. 

when you have healthy self esteem, you are still happy with yourself 

even when things break

or go out of style

or get lost

or lose their appeal. 

we spend so much time chasing happiness.

we should spend more time creating self esteem.

for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com

rethinking self esteem #3

BEING NICE TO YOURSELF IS SELF CARE!!!

people are really bad at recognizing and embracing their strengths and positive qualities.

they don't know how to be nice to themselves.

this goes beyond treating yourself to expensive gadgets and fancy meals.

what good are the trappings of consumerism if you still think you are a miserable bum?

who wants to be a well fed miserable bum with a basement full of junk?

and being nice to yourself is not about what you do.

it's about who you are.

there's a HUUUUUUGE difference between "I can play guitar" and "i'm creative and constantly improving my skills and I'm open to new ideas and sounds..."

maybe you are good at guitar, or cooking, or dancing, or whatever you enjoy.

but to have healthy self esteem you have to embrace the underneath skills that allow you to perform so well.

if you never play guitar again, or cook another meal, or dance another step

you are still creative and flexible and open to new ideas.

you don't have to be the best to like yourself.

you don't have to be perfect to like yourself.

you don't have to be better than anyone to like yourself.

you just have to embrace who you are.

and be nice to yourself.

because being nice to yourself is self care.




for information on individual therapy, contact me at bradleyjabel@gmail.com