Roxilla

Confession time… I have a really crappy self-esteem. It wasn’t always this bad, but over the last couple of years I have let things get me down, and as a result my mojo and self-esteem have taken a big knock.

I came across a few tips recently to boost self-esteem from the inside out, and one of them was to make a list of 50 things you like about yourself. Then, each day you can add another thing until you start realising how much there is to like.

This took me a long time to do, and it was quite a challenge. It’s very very hard for me to do the shameless self-promotion thing, and I hate being vain. I have to get out of that mentality and start being easier on myself and acknowledging strengths as easily as I acknowledge weakness.

So, here goes…

50 Things I Like About Me

1. I’m a fiercely loyal Taurean – friendships mean a huge deal to me
2. I’m a good big sister to my sometimes wayward older sister, and I would do anything for her
3. I am eager to please (perhaps too much, I tend to worry what people think too much)
4. I am extremely compassionate, especially when it comes to animals, kids and street people
5. I am good at what I do, and writing has been one thing I have never doubted in my life
6. I’m not too bad in the photography side of things either, and was getting straight A’s in matric
7. My cats adore me (and not just for food either, lol)
8. I have blue eyes, and from the time I was a toddler strangers have stopped me in public to admire them
9. I have nice nails that I only ever bit when I was a teenager
10. I have a sense of humour – it may be warped, and not everyone may find me funny, but it’s there nonetheless
11. I make damn good ice-cream and other desserts that never flop
12. I have Swedish feet with high arches, and have a beauty spot on the top of one foot (I love it)
13. I have really amazing friends, from all walks of life, who are there for me in good times and bad
14. I come from a line of crazy Swedes and gypsy Irish, and my looks reflect this heritage
15. I have dangerous curves, and in the right top and killer heels I can cause a lot of mayhem
16. I am a voracious reader, and have a strong taste for cult classics
17. I’m a very cool person to watch TV or movies with, especially horrors
18. Growing up with a dad who played in bands, I have a very good music exposure
19. I greet and smile at every person I see on my way to the shops – whoever they are
20. I am easygoing to a huge extent… it takes a lot to piss me off
21. No matter how moody I get, when I’m out or with people, I will always try and have fun
22. I’m a bad influence and I love to party – if you’re out with me, expect tequila and mayhem!
23. I have my own style when it comes to fashion, and don’t follow trend slavishly
24. I know all the cool factory shops in Cape Town, where all sorts of bargains can be found
25. I also know where the Chinese shops are in town – you haven’t lived til you’ve experience these places!
26. I’m a life-long vegetarian with a huge passion for animal rights
27. I have great tattoos which mean a lot to me
28. I may not be able to read music anymore, but I can play a bit of piano by ear
29. Not that long ago I managed to slug my way through a verse or so of Norwegian Wood on the piano
30. Apparently I am a good kisser, or so I’m told anyway, hehe
31. I have a huge naughty steak
32. I have never missed a deadline in my entire working life – especially not as a freelancer
33. I’m too soft when it comes to dealing with clients, and often undercharge
34. It may be taking forever, but I am writing a horror
35. I used to hate it when I was younger, but now I’ve learned to love my curls
36. Especially when I can ghd the crap out of my bob to create a sleek, Russian spy look
37. I am very self motivated when it comes to work management, and have learned to balance things effectively
38. Despite being a space cadet at times, I am actually a bit A type deep down and like order and organisation
39. Still, other than my trusty A4 note book, I never make lists – and I don’t ever forget projects
40. I kick ass when it comes to client and media emails, and am good at writing letters
41.I may not be the best when it comes to Muaythai, but I could probably knock you out with an elbow to the face
42. My hooks are also something to be wary of when I’ve had a few drinks and feel like beating people up
43. For almost the whole time I trained Muaythai, I was one of the only girls in the class who did proper push ups
44. I like to see the best in people and I am maybe a bit idealistic at times
45. I love giving presents – birthdays, Christmas or any other excuse I get, as long as I get to gift wrap it
46. I am extremely tolerant… except when it comes to stupid, mean and nasty people
47. I am very tactful – in fact maybe too tactful, which leads to me getting walked on
48. I make a good running partner, even if I do sometimes need to walk towards the end (girl’s got to breath you know!)
49. I will never, ever criticize, belittle, insult, put down or upset you… it’s just not me
50. And finally, best of all, I am very self-aware and in tune with myself

Phew, that was quite an eye-opener! I think that every single one of us should make a list like this – and keep it somewhere, like on the fridge. Every time that negative voice tries to take over, we should replace it with a positive voice telling us that we ARE worth more.

So, in the spirit of self-love and self-esteem boosting, I tag everyone who wants to learn more about themselves – whether you need a boost or not, this is a good practice to help us ‘find’ ourselves.