The other day I found myself looking at this picture of me and my dad. This picture was taken about 10 years ago. I found myself not scrutinizing the picture to see how much younger I looked or thinner I was. Instead I was looking at the smile on my dad’s face. He was always so happy to spend time with me. He was so so proud of me.
As I looked at the picture I found myself thinking man, I wish I could see myself the way he saw me. If I were only half as proud of myself as he was of me I would be so much more confident. It’s a shame that most of us do not see ourselves the way our loved ones see us.I know I am not alone.
My challenge to you and myself is to take a few steps back to view yourself more joyfully. Take a few steps back from the microscope of self criticism through which we see ourselves. Turn down the volume on the negative self talk. Stop zooming in on imperfections and focusing on mistakes. Instead, lets see ourselves more often through the lens that our friends, family, and children view us. What would you see?
Seriously, I've had the worst case of mom guilts lately and even I am over it! I just need to cut myself some slack.
What a great way to reflect on old photos! We are too harsh on ourselves and our aging process
What a touching post. I know how proud I feel of my children, and hope that they too possess that same confidence.
Sounds like a great man! The picture is so sweet. Nothing more adorable than a girl and her dad.
This is so true. There are so many times I've thought I need to enjoy this moment. I need to enjoy who I am right now!
This is a great point. I think we criticize ourselves way more than other people do. It even becomes narcissistic how much we focus on ourselves.
I can't help but look at how much thinner and younger I am in pictures! Your dad looks so happy!
Great suggestions. I just wish I wouldn't mind myself in photos… but am getting better and it helps that I have lost a few pounds. Would still prefer to be behind the camera.
We are definitely our own worst critics. I don't think other people even see the flaws that I do!
This is such a great idea. I am always hard on myself and I need to do this. Catherine S
I love this post. Too often, we see ourselves through a lens of excessive criticism and judgement. We see a version of ourselves that is so much less than what we really are.
While that is a great way to look at it, I can't help but be hard on myself. I am just wired that way.
Some great tips.. sometimes we are all too hard on ourselves.