Big Up You

Think about your best bits and the bits you’d like to have. Allow it. It’s okay to big up you and to think positively about yourself sometimes.

When was the last time that someone encouraged you to big up you hmm? Well? I think we can get used to thinking about ourselves negatively, “I feel ugly”, “Blimey I’m thick”, “I can’t do this”, “Why do people spend time with me?” etc etc etc. This is about changing that a bit.

Look at this list below and pick out as many qualities which apply to you. Then think of a sentence for (eg) why you are bubbly, think of an example. Write this down somewhere or say it out loud.

Which of these apply to you?

Thinker

Adventurous

Assertive

Head strong

Level headed

Dramatic

Mediator

Warm

Wise

Geeky

Curious

Flexible

Good listener

Authentic

Good at chat

Decisive

Reliable

Attentive

Kind

Fair

Forgiving

Emotional

Thoughtful

Happy

Good planner

Party Animal

A dreamer

Determined

Loud

High standards

Ambitious

Optimistic

Generous

Fit

Sceptical

Believer

Well dressed

Hard worker

Good friend

Easy going

Foodie

Loving

Sensible

Smiley

Romantic

Powerful

Sensitive

Gentle

Honest

Humour

Ideas person

Take charge

Informed

Modest

On time

Bounces back

Responsible

Bubbly

Lively

Organiser

Creative

Musical

Neat

Smart

Big heart

Leader

Positive

Calm

Excitable

Giver

Good judge

Passionate

Mature

Cultured

Funny

Artistic

Wise

Self belief

Brave

Open minded

Relaxed

Assertive

Sociable

Team worker

Solo star

Good with £

Switched on

Right on / Woke

Sensitive

Disciplined

Tolerant

Ethical

Behaves!

Hopeful

Open

Cautious

Independent

Sincere

Top bantz!

Into safety

In the now

Fun

Serious

Political

Keep it real

*Add yours too

This isn’t about replacing negative words for positive ones and it’s definitely not about ‘positive thinking’. Obviously none of us are perfect. There are always things that we could work on to do a bit better. So have a look at the list and pick a few words that you might like to be a bit more of. So for me, although I have good ideas I would like to be a bit more organised and to be better at planning things.

Thinking of yourself as being pretty okay but not perfect is a pretty good way of thinking of yourself, I reckon

Many of us have inner critics in our heads telling us that we can’t do things and we’ll never achieve anything – I know I do. Don’t fight the inner voice – just acknowledge it and allow for a more positive self assessment of who you are, what you can do and where you’d like to go.

Also check out the BISH guide to self esteem and feeling better about ourselves.

If you’re thinking about dating and who you’d like to date try this version.