How to Become Your Own Best Friend

Many people's problem is that they are their own enemies. We berate ourselves for making mistakes and not being perfect, we dwell on our shortcomings and don't notice our assets, we think that we don't deserve love, happiness and all the good things in the world. Being too hard on ourselves prevents us from growing, and this needs to stop right now. To become a better and happier person, you need to treat yourself like you would treat a friend. Here are some tips on how to befriend yourself.

#1. Don't beat yourself up for making mistakes. When your friend screws up, you reassure them and tell them to stop being self-critical. Everyone makes mistakes because everyone is just a human being. So why are you so hard on yourself? Start treating your mistakes as feedback and experience. Learn from them, then let go, move forward and don't make the same mistake twice. When you start berating yourself for making a mistake, stop and ask, “Would I say this to my best friend?”

#2. Start putting your own needs first. When a friend needs you, you're always there for them because that is how true friendship works. But when it comes to you needs, you put them at the bottom of your list of priorities. Remember that taking care of yourself is not only your right but also a duty. You deserve a delicious meal and a hot bath after a long day at work or a day off after working overtime. You deserve some “me” time and you have the right to prefer solitude to going our with friends when you get tired of people.

#3. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. When your friend scores a hot date, gets a promotion, finishes a huge project, etc., you're the first to congratulate them, and going out to celebrate your friends' accomplishments is a tradition of yours. Guess what? Your accomplishments are worth celebrating, too, and there is nothing wrong with rewarding yourself when you do something that deserves a reward. You don't have to throw a party every time you get something done. Sometimes giving yourself a break after achieving a goal is enough of a reward.

#4. Love yourself unconditionally. Your friends love you regardless of your faults because they've learned to accept you for who you are. And you love them in return, even though sometimes you fight. If you are capable of loving other people unconditionally, you are capable of loving yourself just as much. Remember that loving yourself is very important for your self-esteem and overall psychological well-being, and hating yourself will never do you any good.