Self-perception is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot. People theorize about it, use it to talk about looks and body issues, and refer to it on talk shows and in self help books. However, self-perception is exactly what it says; the way we perceive ourselves. Although this phrase gets tossed around a lot in conversations about what we see in the mirror, self-perception includes that way we think we look, act, move, and appear. Self-perception is a package of everything we think we put out into the world around us.
When we talk about changing self-perception, it is important to start by discussing how we see ourselves in all aspects. How do you think you look, act, how do you think your emotions come across? How do you see yourself as a complete person? Because most people have been put down or constantly told by society that they are not perfect enough, most people perceive themselves as sub-par.
But what are we comparing ourselves to? What is the standard of perfection that we feel we can’t live up to? If we were to imagine such a “perfect” person it is highly unlikely that that person exists in real life. No one is perfect and even those we idealize would have their own shortcomings that they feel are insurmountable.
When is comes to changing our self-perception we must first throw out the imagined image of what we think we should be striving for. Instead look at who you are as an individual. It may take a few tries to look in the mirror and not want to think about how you wish you looked like some other person or had some one else’s talent. When you begin to look closely at yourself, try to find and point out only the features that you like and are proud of – without comparison to anyone else.
Once you have a list of physical features as well as personality features, talents, and emotional qualities that you think are unique and special, write them down on a list. This list will be your reference point to look back on. Once you have devised your list, begin to put all your energy into developing and enhancing these great qualities. Become more knowledgeable about your talent or area of expertise, take classes that make you better at the things you already love, focus you wardrobe and makeup around the areas of your body that you love rather than obsessing about hiding “inadequate” parts.
Changing your self-perception is not easy and it takes work, especially when you have been putting yourself down for a long time. However, changing your self-perception is a choice. The choice is to focus and build up on the good things and stop obsessing abut the things you don’t love. No one is perfect and we shouldn’t strive to be. However, we all have unique talents and abilities and those are the areas of ourselves that we should be proud to show the world.