Many of us midlife women have spent a lifetime chasing external validation, whether from work, our relationships, or our families. Somehow, our own opinions seem suspect. But even when we receive that external validation, we may dismiss it or forget about it altogether. Learning to validate our own feelings and celebrate our own strengths can seem like a daunting task.
True confession: until about three years ago, my self-esteem was almost entirely based on external validation. (This is common for children of an alcoholic, like me.) Coaching gave me tools to build my own self-esteem and validation, and it has changed my life. (Note: It’s an ongoing practice.)
The good news is that you too can learn to validate yourself and boost your confidence by creating new habits which — among other things — help you:
> Track and celebrate things that you’re proud of (even small wins!);
> Question self-critical (and often untrue) thoughts;
> Acknowledge your experiences, feelings and challenges with self compassion; and
> Reframe how you talk and think about what’s possible for you.
Book a free discovery call to learn how coaching can help you with self-validation, plus learn more about coaching generally in my Frequently Asked Questions About Coaching section.
