How I feel about myself

2024/10/5 Edited to

... Read moreI’ve seen the 'How I See Me' jar trend pop up on my feed countless times, and after a lot of thought, I finally decided to dive in. I was curious to truly understand 'how I see myself' beyond just fleeting thoughts or bad days. It felt a bit daunting at first to gather all my 'jars of insecurities,' but I knew deep down it was a step towards self-acceptance and a more balanced view of who I am. So, what exactly is a 'How I See Me' jar, or as some call it, 'my insecurities jar'? It’s a simple yet powerful exercise where you visually represent your self-perception. You take a jar (or two, if you want to separate positive and negative traits) and fill it with slips of paper describing how you see yourself—the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s meant to help you confront your self-image, acknowledge your strengths, and understand your perceived flaws. Creating My Own 'How I See Me' Jar: A Personal Journey Gathering My Supplies: I grabbed two cute little jars and a stack of colorful sticky notes. One jar was for things I liked or admired about myself, and the other was for my 'insecurities'—the aspects that make me feel vulnerable or critical of myself. Brainstorming My Traits: This was the most challenging part. I dedicated an entire afternoon to honest self-reflection. For the 'positive' jar, I thought about moments when I felt 'pretty,' 'caring,' or 'kind.' I wrote down things like 'supportive friend,' 'good listener,' and 'creative spirit.' It felt good to acknowledge these! Then came the 'insecurities' jar. This was where the real work began. I dug deep into those nagging thoughts and self-criticisms. I remembered seeing the phrase 'jars of insecurities nose' in similar challenges, and I definitely had thoughts about my own nose, certain body parts, and other physical aspects. I also wrote down character traits like sometimes feeling 'annoying' or my constant pursuit of 'perfection,' which can often feel 'toxic' when it leads to self-criticism. I even included things like 'overthinking' and 'procrastination'—small things that contribute to my overall feeling of 'inscare' (insecurity). Writing Them Down: Each thought or trait went onto a separate slip of paper. Seeing them written out, externalized from my mind, was incredibly insightful. Reflecting & Processing: Once both jars were full, I sat with them. It wasn’t about judging myself further, but about truly seeing the balance. I realized that while my 'insecurities jar' had valid points, my 'positive' jar was just as full, if not fuller. It helped me put things into perspective. It brought awareness to specific 'jars of insecurities body' issues I hadn't fully acknowledged, allowing me to start thinking about how to reframe those thoughts. The Impact and What I Learned: This exercise helped me challenge my 'toxic' self-talk. It made me realize that my self-perception is complex, not just one-sided. I'm not just my 'insecurities'; I'm also 'pretty,' 'caring,' and 'kind.' It's a continuous journey, but seeing those slips of paper reminds me that while I have areas for growth, I also have incredible strengths worth celebrating. It truly shifted 'how I see myself.' Tips for Your Own Journey: Be brutally honest: The more truthful you are, the more impactful the exercise will be. Don't judge: This isn't about shaming yourself; it's about observation and understanding. Revisit regularly: Your self-perception evolves. Check in with your jars every few months. Focus on growth: Once you identify your 'insecurities,' you can start to work on them or, more importantly, accept them. I highly encourage you to try creating your own 'how I see me' jar. It's a simple, tangible way to gain profound insights into your inner world and embark on a powerful journey of self-discovery and acceptance.