Self Image

First thing first, what is self-image? Based on one source, self image is the mental picture, generally of a kind that is quite resistant to change, that depicts not only details that are potentially available to objective investigation by others (height, weight, hair color, sex, I.Q. score, etc.), but also items that have been learned by that person about himself or herself, either from personal experiences or by internalizing the judgments of others. A simple definition of a person's self image is their answer to this question - "What do you believe people think about you?"

Did you notice that I make one bold statement above? I think that the main point of self image. It's more than how you view yourself but what you think people see when they look at you. Some people has a positive self image while other can view themselves negatively. In relation to this 'self-image' topic, I can say that most people deal with self image in terms of their physical appearance. You do know that there are a lot of people who have problems with anorexia are those who are also having problems with self image. The anorexic person tends to see her/himself as someone who is fat but actually he/she is very thin and unhealthy. Other than that I also believe that self image is closely related to self-esteem and self confident. The article below explain about the relationship.

Self image includes:

• What you think you look like
• How you see your personality
• What kind of person you think you are
• What you believe others think of you
• How much you like yourself or you think others like you
• The status you feel you have

What does self image have to do with self esteem?

Self Esteem is how you feel about yourself. Image is about how you see yourself and how you believe others see you. They are closely connected because if you have a poor opinion of yourself your self esteem will be low. Image is to do with perception. How you see yourself is vital because this will affect your behaviour, your thinking and how you relate to others. People respond to you either positively or negatively according to how confident you are. Your confidence in relationships depends on the image you have of yourself.

What can you do to Improve your Self Image?

1. List things you like about yourself - include appearance, personality and skills
2. Change negative thoughts to positive ones by focusing on the positive and forgetting the negative things that happen to you
3. Remember compliments and note them down
4. Try the powerful method of self-hypnosis: Building your self esteem - self hypnosis download
   It will really help you!
5. Question whether your view of yourself is accurate. and why you see yourself like you do
6. Make changes that will help you ;for example, clothes, appearance, hair style and behaviour
7. Accept things about yourself that are true and learn to think about them in a positive way
8. Get exercise - you will look and feel better! more about self image and exercise
9. Take yourself less seriously and lighten up!
10. Accept criticism constructively so you can move forward and improve yourself
11. Don't be limited by your internal image, step outside of it and break free, it doesn't have to control you or keep you down. Acting differently will change how others respond towards you and will help change your attitude towards yourself and your abilities
12. Take on challenges positively and surprise yourself!
    
    

“Our self image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become”
Maxwell Maltz

(source from more-selfesteem.com - images via justbesplendid.tumblr)