Writing something nice about yourself can feel awkward, but it's a valuable exercise in self-appreciation. Here's how you can approach it, drawing inspiration from positive self-affirmations:
Focusing on Your Positive Qualities
Instead of just stating generalities, think about specific examples that demonstrate your positive attributes. According to a LinkedIn article by Michelle Bakjac, several affirmations can help you identify these qualities.
Areas to Explore
Here's a breakdown of things you can write about, incorporating elements from the reference:
- Following Your Heart: Have you ever made a difficult decision because it felt right, even if it wasn't the easiest path? Describe that situation. "I followed my heart when I chose to [specific action], even though it was less conventional than [alternative action]. This demonstrated my commitment to [value]."
- Looking for the Positive: Think about a time you turned a negative situation into a positive one. "I always look for the positive, like when [situation] happened, and I [positive action taken]."
- Responsibility: Recall a time you took responsibility for your actions, even when it was difficult. "I am responsible; for example, when I [specific situation], I took ownership of my part and [action you took to rectify the situation]."
- Gratitude: What are you grateful for in your life? "I am grateful for [specific thing] because it has allowed me to [benefit]."
- Forgiveness: Have you forgiven yourself or others for past mistakes? "I have forgiven [person/situation] because I learned [lesson] and now [positive outcome]."
- No Regrets: Even if things didn't turn out as planned, can you identify valuable lessons learned? "I have no regrets about [situation] because it taught me [lesson]."
- Honesty with Yourself: Describe a time when you were honest with yourself about a difficult truth. "I am honest with myself; I acknowledged [difficult truth] which allowed me to [positive action/change]."
- Pride: What are you proud of achieving? "I am proud of myself for [achievement] because it required [qualities used/overcome]."
Crafting Your Narrative
Use the following steps to turn these reflections into something nice you can write about yourself:
- Brainstorm: List specific examples for each of the areas above.
- Choose One or Two: Select the examples that resonate most with you.
- Write with Detail: Expand on the examples, adding details and emotions.
- Focus on Your Strengths: Highlight the qualities that these examples demonstrate.
- Be Authentic: Write in your own voice, being honest and genuine.
Example Snippet
"I am proud of myself for completing my [project/goal]. It was a long and challenging journey, but I persevered despite facing [obstacles]. This accomplishment demonstrates my dedication and resilience. I learned so much about [skills learned] along the way, which will undoubtedly help me in the future."
By focusing on specific examples and highlighting your positive qualities, you can write something nice about yourself that feels genuine and empowering.
