It doesn’t “work” per se. You need to have an action plan. If you stay on plan, six months down the road you’ll be a better person than you are today. And the same is true of the next six months… and so on.
One step at a time will build great new habits and get you very far, but unnoticeably so because it happens in small increments.
As for real suggestions for success:
- Find something you love to do to occupy your spare time. You have to dedicate time every week to it. For me it was martial arts. For others, something creative, like photography, is a popular outlet for “me time”/self improvement.
- Diet. Make sure you’re eating healthier. That generally means avoid an abundance of carbs and sugar.
- Exercise. I personally think this is the most critical. Endorphins are a great healer. They naturally make you feel good about yourself. The workouts also help reshape your body and mind.
- Love yourself. Understand that you’re a great person and allow positive thoughts to be how you define yourself, not negative ones. No one is perfect. Neither are you. You’re just seeking emotional happiness and that’s very attainable. You can’t accept (realistically) the love of others until you love yourself. Once you’re happy, the love from others naturally becomes much deeper and fulfilling.
- Read. There’s a lot to learn about self improvement. I personally read quite a bit about self actualization. It’s good to understand the theory, but the knowledge also helps to put things into practice. Much like the question you asked to start this thread. “Why?” can be answered.
Your therapist is your catalyst. She/he is a great listening ear as well. You’re buying great “me” time, so look forward to it and use it well.
Set goals. Attack them.
Success will follow. I promise.
