Posted on 25 July, 2022.

We say thank you to everyone. From the person that makes our morning coffee to our co workers.  If you are a believer you thank God, the universe, etc for the good and opportunities that come your way.  You may even have a gratitude practice.  But When was the last time you thanked yourself?  I don’t mean taking a vacation because you deserve it (and yes, you do deserve it).  I mean thanking yourself for just being.   

As with everything, we are told to put ourselves last and everyone else first.  Putting yourself first is selfish, yada yada yada………. I would argue that putting yourself first, even in your gratitude practice, allows you to see more of the things to be grateful for.  Here’s some food for thought:

• Being grateful for yourself and who you are is not selfish:  You are a fantastic human being!  No need to get validation from others if you know and accept this truth.  No matter who you are, where you are in life, you are great.  Ask your friends, they will tell you how awesome you are.  You need to tell yourself that.
• Self-gratitude opens up doors:  When you are grateful for yourself, where you are in life and say thanks for your whole being (yes even your body- be grateful you have one and take care of it) you get a confidence boost that helps you to see beyond your limitations, whatever they may be.  Beyond those limitations are the opportunities you never imagined.
• Starting with self-gratitude reduces negative self talk and impostor syndrome:  Negative self talk and impostor syndrome are the two biggest things that will hold you back.  No matter how grateful you are for everything and everyone around you if you are not grateful and honor who you are you will be swimming upstream of “the flow.”  Impostor syndrome ( you tell yourself you are faking it till you make it) is the worst kind of self talk.  It denies you the joy of what you have achieved and what you are capable of.  You can’t make it by faking it so really make sure when you hear the “I am not worthy,” I am not good enough,” and the dreaded “people will figure out I’m not any good” that you amp up thankfulness for you, your abilities and everything you are today.

So what does self gratitude look like?  Wake up and do your gratitude practice then tell yourself how amazing you are, how deserving you are and what great things you will achieve today.  I do it in the form of speaking blessings over me and my life.  Try these out:

• I am worthy of the opportunities that come into my life.
• I receive blessings every day.
• I am worthy.

Do this in the morning, with your coffee, after lunch, etc.  make it a routine.  Routines re-wire your brain so that you build confidence, self assurance and self love.  

So, how are you grateful for yourself today?  What one thing have you said about you, to you that is inspiring you?  


​Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash