[Eleny]

I am so uncomfortable with myself and who I am. Whenever I'm around people I don't gel with or who are different to me I feel extremely uncomfortable and bad about myself and who I am. Then when I find someone I click with I suddenly feel like my personality is great and I'm ok again.

It's so difficult being constantly uncomfortable in your own skin. I can't even imagine feeling comfortable around people different to me, I so admire people who can always be themselves in every social interaction. Can anyone else relate to this? Or maybe provide some advice that might help me? Thank you

[Trippin2.0]

Do you like yourself?


I believe that would be the first step in being comfortable in your own skin, without the ("Same as me equals I'm acceptable" ) approval of others...

[IceCreamKid]

Different how? Skin color? Sexual orientation? Economic status? You might try affirmations. Find ten things you want for yourself (example: I enjoy meeting new people) and say them every day, morning and night. Keep them positive, (ex. "I will smile at the next person I meet" instead of "I won't freak out inside at the next person I meet") because your brain will only 'hear' the negative and what you want is to train your brain for positive. Also, smiling releases feel-good chemicals in the brain. Practice smiling as you go throughout your day. I think of something amusing and a smile comes to my face.

'Your own skin' -- in other words, your unique qualities, are precious and specific to you. Just like every other person under the son. Once I embraced my own qualities, I was able to embrace all the wonderful differences of other people. If you are still having trouble with that concept, try jogging back and forth (mentally speaking) between appreciating something about someone else (Rosa has great love for her large extended family) and yourself (I'm a compassionate person).

[healingme4me]

Becoming comfortable in your own skin isn't something each of us is inherently born with, in my opinion. When dealing with others I find it helpful to recognize that as much as I'm going through my own set of stressors, everyone else is as well. I find it helpful to not try to make others find me likeable through mannerisms that seem forced. It really isn't about desiring to edge my way into anyone else's life. I can have a pleasant moment or a genuine moment. I can find a moment relatable or one that I bite my tongue. If moments add up over time and a bond forms, great. At the end of the day I still come home to my life, my reality.

Not sure if that adds to the point. I am sure that being comfortable with oneself is a daily work in progress.

[Eleny]

Originally Posted by IceCreamKid

Different how? Skin color? Sexual orientation? Economic status? You might try affirmations. Find ten things you want for yourself (example: I enjoy meeting new people) and say them every day, morning and night. Keep them positive, (ex. "I will smile at the next person I meet" instead of "I won't freak out inside at the next person I meet") because your brain will only 'hear' the negative and what you want is to train your brain for positive. Also, smiling releases feel-good chemicals in the brain. Practice smiling as you go throughout your day. I think of something amusing and a smile comes to my face.

Thanks for this

Do you think that over time thinking positively, or changing your thoughts can change your brain?

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by Eleny

Thanks for this

Do you think that over time thinking positively, or changing your thoughts can change your brain?

Absolutely! Thoughts drive actions and I don't doubt actions can drive thoughts, too!