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Keeping a gratitude list will see you let go of self-doubt

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Credit: iStock
Credit: iStock

Most of us have experienced it at some stage or other, scrolling through Instagram only to end up feeling like we’re not pretty, thin or rich enough. In a world where social media pumps out images of ‘picture perfect’ Kardashians, it can become easy to be distracted from what really matters: appreciating our own unique perfection.

We’ve all had Aretha Franklin moments where we’ve felt like naturally beautiful women but they can be fleeting.

Feeling the insecurity and self–doubt that comes with comparing ourselves to ideas of perfection on Instagram is nothing but a waste of time. That doesn’t only go for Instagram, by the way, traditional media is flooded with images of perfection too. Feeling inadequate takes you away from the practice of self-love and acceptance. 

Read more: 12 things we don’t do or say often enough

‘Self-love’ and ‘self-acceptance’ can seem like strange ideas, I prefer talking about awakening to your highest self or embracing your higher being. We’ve all had Aretha Franklin moments where we’ve felt like naturally beautiful women but they can be fleeting. To embrace yourself and let go of self-doubt and fear is an ongoing practice but the basics, luckily, are quite simple:

One of the tricks to doing it requires a pen and paper. It means you sitting down and writing down a few of the things that you are grateful for. I’m sure you’ve heard of the importance of an ‘attitude of gratitude’ before but perhaps not in quite the same way. 

Your list of things that you are grateful for should be a regular feature in your day to day life.

Focusing your mind on things that stimulate positive feelings and thoughts will help set the scene for future positive reinforcement. It makes you feel good and it will attract good things your way. We’re talking here about the basics of the ‘law of attraction’ or the ‘power of intention’ as some have called it. 

It works without a doubt, unless you do:

Doubt, fear (of not being good enough) and anxiety will prevent you from embracing your higher self. The trouble is, we can hardly sit on a hilltop in the Himalayas enjoying our positive thoughts all the time (but if you can manage some time, do go there). At some point we have to face reality, which can take us right back to square one…

Read more: Sometimes it's necessary to let go and just be

This is why practice and timing are important. Your list of things that you are grateful for should be a regular feature in your day to day life. In fact, the ideal is that before you go to bed at night and before you get ready to start your day, take ten minutes to read it.

Take the time to continuously practice thinking about the things that make you feel good. The more that you do, the easier it will become to keep doing it. 

You’ll start to notice that you care less about the Kim’s latest outfit or you’ll feel happy for her that she looks so good. You’ll start to notice that you smile more and that others are smiling more at you. The best of all however, is when you begin to notice that through focusing on what is good and positive in your life, the things you really want for yourself, start to appear.

WATCH: An Experiment in Gratitude | The Science of Happiness

Disclaimer: The views of columnists published on W24 are their own and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of W24. 

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