How often do you stop to give yourself some self-praise or a pat on the back? I’m not talking about boasting or being overly confident—just genuine, heartfelt recognition of the things you’ve done well. If you’re like most people, probably not as often as you should. Self-praise is one of those things we tend to shy away from, especially if we’ve been taught to be humble or downplay our achievements. But here’s the thing: self-praise is not only important; it’s essential for your well-being.
Self-praise is a powerful tool that helps boost your confidence, build your self-worth, and remind you that you’re making progress—even when things feel tough. It’s about acknowledging your own efforts and successes, and giving yourself the recognition you deserve.
What is Self-Praise?
Self-praise is simply the act of acknowledging your own achievements and efforts. It’s that inner dialogue that says, “I did a good job,” “I worked hard for this,” or “I’m proud of myself.” It’s not about arrogance or inflating your ego; it’s about being kind to yourself and taking a moment to celebrate your wins, no matter how big or small.
Think of it this way: if you’re constantly criticising yourself or downplaying your successes, you’re sending yourself the message that nothing you do is ever good enough. That’s a fast track to low self-esteem and burnout. On the other hand, when you allow yourself to genuinely appreciate your own efforts, you build a sense of self-worth and motivation that can propel you forward.
Why is Self-Praise So Hard?
For many of us, self-praise feels uncomfortable, even unnatural. We’re taught from a young age that it’s important to be modest and avoid “tooting our own horn.” While humility is important, there’s a difference between being humble and consistently diminishing your own value.
A lot of this comes down to social conditioning. We’re often more comfortable criticising ourselves than celebrating our successes. We think that by being hard on ourselves, we’ll somehow push ourselves to do better. But here’s the reality: constantly focusing on what you haven’t done or what you could have done better doesn’t motivate you. It drains your energy and leaves you feeling inadequate.
Another reason self-praise can be difficult is fear of judgment. Maybe you’re afraid that if you acknowledge your achievements, others will think you’re arrogant or self-centred. But true self-praise is personal and private—it’s about your relationship with yourself, not about seeking approval from others.
The Benefits of Self-Praise
Once you embrace the practice of self-praise, you’ll start to notice some pretty amazing benefits:
1. Boosts Confidence
When you regularly acknowledge your own achievements, you start to believe in yourself more. Your inner critic quiets down, and you develop a stronger sense of confidence. You begin to trust in your own abilities and recognise that you’re capable of achieving your goals.
2. Encourages a Growth Mindset
Self-praise helps you focus on your progress rather than perfection. When you celebrate your wins, you’re reinforcing the idea that growth and effort matter more than flawless results. This creates a more positive and encouraging mindset, which makes it easier to tackle new challenges.
3. Reduces Stress
Constantly criticising yourself creates a lot of unnecessary stress. Self-praise, on the other hand, helps you take a step back and appreciate the journey. It reminds you that you’re doing your best, which can help reduce anxiety and create a sense of inner peace.
4. Increases Motivation
When you take time to recognise your efforts, it reinforces the positive behaviour. This builds momentum and motivates you to keep going. Self-praise fuels your internal drive, helping you stay focused and energised in the pursuit of your goals.
5. Strengthens Resilience
Self-praise also builds resilience. When you’re in the habit of acknowledging your wins, you’re better equipped to bounce back from setbacks. Instead of focusing solely on what went wrong, you remind yourself of what you’ve already accomplished and use that strength to move forward.
How to Start Practicing Self-Praise
If self-praise feels foreign to you, don’t worry—you can start small. Here are some simple ways to begin incorporating self-praise into your daily life:
1. Keep a Success Journal
Each day, take a few minutes to write down something you’re proud of. It could be as simple as completing a task you’ve been putting off, handling a situation with grace, or showing up for yourself when it wasn’t easy. Over time, you’ll have a record of your progress that you can look back on whenever you need a boost.
2. Talk to Yourself Like a Friend
Imagine how you’d talk to a friend who just achieved something. Would you downplay their success or criticise them for not doing more? Of course not! You’d celebrate with them. Start doing the same for yourself. When you accomplish something, take a moment to say, “I’m proud of myself for this.”
3. Acknowledge the Small Wins
Self-praise doesn’t have to be reserved for huge accomplishments. Sometimes, getting through a tough day, making a healthy choice, or simply showing up is worthy of praise. Recognise these small wins—they add up and contribute to your overall success.
4. Celebrate Out Loud
Don’t be afraid to share your achievements with others. You don’t have to be boastful, but there’s nothing wrong with saying, “I worked really hard on this, and I’m proud of how it turned out.” Sharing your wins with supportive people in your life can reinforce the positive effects of self-praise.
Why Counselling Can Help
If you’ve spent years being overly critical of yourself, it can be hard to shift into a mindset of self-praise. That’s where counselling comes in. A counsellor can help you explore the root causes of your self-criticism and work with you to build healthier, more empowering habits. Through counselling, you can learn how to reframe negative self-talk and develop a stronger, more positive relationship with yourself.
At Embodied Harmony, I specialise in helping people reconnect with their self-worth and build confidence through compassionate, holistic counselling. Together, we’ll explore the barriers that are holding you back from fully embracing your achievements and create a plan to help you start celebrating yourself.
Ready to Celebrate Your Success?
If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of self-criticism and start embracing the power of self-praise, let’s talk. At Embodied Harmony, I’m here to support you on your journey toward greater self-confidence and inner peace. Together, we’ll work to help you recognise your worth, celebrate your successes, and live with more joy.
Book your free15-minute consultation today and take the first step toward a more positive, self-empowered future can support your personal journey.