© TatyanaGl – depositphotos.com
Relationships can be challenging, and are often part of the root of emotional issues. While you’re doing some of the work to repair and rebuild your relationships with others, you can start by being your own best friend.
It’s very empowering to know that we can not only take care of ourselves, but that we are complete on our own without needing someone else to fill anything in. Being that comfortable with oneself starts from the self-awareness from having looked within. Journaling, therapy, self-help, and 12-step programs are all excellent ways to accomplish that.
This process will also help build acceptance—first for yourself, and then for others. It’s a way of validating whatever thoughts or feelings come up, and then working on healing or changing them. This way, nothing—and no one—has to be “wrong.” It just is what it is, until it is something different.
The title of this blog post was inspired by a book I’ve had for many years which belonged to my mother, called How to Be Your Own Best Friend by Mildred Newman and Bernard Berkowitz. They have some really cool suggestions, including:
- Having a “bedroom slipper day”—my version of this is allowing yourself a day to just be at home in comfy clothes, not pushing yourself beyond what is right for you
- Seeing the source of happiness as being within, not outside, ourselves (a good reminder!)
- Being your own best friend is the ultimate friendship: liking yourself, feeling fulfilled, and being true to yourself
Today, I would add that being your own best friend means viewing yourself and your actions through a lens of compassion, truth, and understanding. A little validation would top this relationship off beautifully.