Okay Friends, today is a new week so we have a new something or someone here on the blog for ya! Seriously when I re-read this I got teary eyed. Sydnee is AMAZING and is so motivational. I love love love some (or all) that she talks about! Her view on loving yourself and not comparing others because it is a thief of joy is so TRUE! I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!!
SYDNEE
@SYDNEE_ANDERSON
Seriously so beautiful inside and out!
(Utah living, wife, adventurer and explorer.)
1. What is self esteem to you
and how does if affect the person you are?
Self esteem to me is how I truly feel about myself on the inside
and outside. It reflects my self confidence.
2. What are five words that
you would choose to describe yourself?
Dependable. Caring. Optimistic. Cheerful. Brave.
3. Do you ever get down or are
too hard on yourself sometimes?
Sometimes I for sure do. I’m not sure what it is but sometimes I
feel like I need to just be better. When I see photos of girls looking
“perfect” (a word that is misused) I start to compare myself to them and I then
realize that I am being way too hard on myself. I have really tried to make an
effort to stop using the word “perfect” because no one is truly perfect. I
sometimes get jealous when I see people I know going on fun vacations, wearing
the cutest clothes, having a specific body type…the list could go on. I get so
down and I realize that I am being way too hard on myself.
4. Are there specific things
that trigger those negative vibes and feelings?
Definitely. I think that social media as a whole contributes to
those negative vibes, especially Instagram. I think that we have to remember that
some people may only posting their “highlights” in their life. When we look at
someone’s life through social media, of course we are going to think that
“their life is perfect” or “they are so put together” if they are only posting
those things. We need to remember that we are all imperfect human beings. We
all have flaws and have experienced different trials. It’s hard because I want
to contribute to the positive side of social media, but I also want people to
know that I am flawed and have had many trials. I struggle with knowing whether
or not I should post about specific things. I don’t want it to seem like I am a
Debbie downer who tries to make people feel bad for me!
5. How do you help yourself
get out of that “negative funk?”
Sometimes I just have to disconnect. Although there is a mixture
of positivity and negativity on social media, staying off social media
sometimes helps. The amount of followers, likes, comments, or attention that we
may get from social media should not build up our self esteem. It’s so much
more than that and I think many of us need to realize that. About a month ago I
saw a post on Instagram by a woman who was explaining how she was feeling great
about herself, until she got on social media and throughout the day those good
feelings started to disappear. Her self esteem decreased because she started
comparing herself to others. Her point was to not let that get you down.
Anyways, there was a comment from someone who was confused as to why she was
feeling down because she got 2000 likes and has 70,000 followers! Clearly, she
misunderstood the point. Followers and likes do NOT give you self confidence.
It makes me sad that some women think that is the case. If we are not careful,
social media can destroy us! Taking breaks from social media usually helps me
get out of that “negative funk.”
6. Do you ever find yourself
judging or comparing yourself to others? (if so when)
Like I mentioned before, I compare myself to others all the time,
I think it’s really hard not to. I’m trying really hard to break this habit!
7. Do you feel like social
media as a whole helps build you up and or do you feel like it makes it harder
to be positive?
I think it can be both! I think it can obviously make it harder to
be positive when you are constantly comparing yourself to others. However, I
feel like there are so many great people out there on social media that are
inspiring and make me want to be a better person in a good way. A way that
doesn’t make me get down on myself.
8. What helps you not compare
yourself or judge others, or what have you done or do now to help yourself not
fall into the game of judging and comparing?
I just kind of have to realize that judging and comparing won’t do
anyone any good. I know that I would hate for people to judge me, so I try my
best not to judge them. There is always good in someone or something if we just
look for it.
9.What helps you feel
confident and beautiful?
Being myself. I’ve really learned to love myself for who I am over
the past year and it has made the biggest difference in my life. If you aren’t
yourself than who the heck is going to be you? Be you and learn to love
yourself! When I was growing up (in a house full of girls) I often
criticized the way I looked as I was getting ready in the morning. My mom would
always get so mad at me and not allow us girls to say anything negative about
ourselves. That has really helped me focus on things I do like about myself
rather than things I don’t like about myself.
10. What brings peace in your life?
Honestly, my faith gives me the biggest peace in my life. I am
LDS. I know that I am a child of God. I have a Heavenly Father and Savior who
loves me unconditionally. Having that knowledge gives me more peace than I can
even explain.
11.What do you think women today can do to have more self love and
positive vibes towards themselves and others?
I think that women need to stop comparing themselves to others.
It’s hard and I know that I am guilty of this as well. I’m not sure who said
this quote but my mom said it to me several times when I was in high school,
“comparison is the thief of joy.” I think that women need to try to stop
comparing themselves to others and focus on finding their gifts and talents.
Everyone has something to offer, everyone has different talents and attributes,
so let’s not waste our time comparing. Be yourself and love yourself! There is
a book called “Way to Be” by Gordon B. Hinckley that I read when I was younger.
I recently started reading through it again and there is a section that
specifically talks about being positive. He says, “I am suggesting that we look
for the great good among those with whom we associate and live, that we speak of
one another’s virtues and positive qualities more than we speak of one
another’s faults, that optimism replaces pessimism, and that our faith exceed
our fears.” Although this is easier said than done, I love this so much because
as I have made an effort to apply it to my life, I am a much happier person!
