7 Ways To Silence Your Inner Critic And Become Your Own Best Friend

The relationship you have with yourself is, and always will be, the most important relationship in your life.

Knowing your strengths, passions, dreams and even your challenges and fears will empower you to become the best possible version of yourself.

When was the last time you looked inward to figure out the next best step in a challenge without calling your mother, friend or sister?

Being your own BFF means trusting your own intuition to effortlessly guide yourself through the many ups and downs of life.

Get acquainted with your inner supporter.

It is up to you to access your own vision in this process. Give yourself the time and space deserved to make it fun and fabulous.

Here are some tips on how to cultivate the most important relationship you have with yourself:

1. Get to know yourself.

Pick up a pen and paper or a journal, and jot down answers to the following questions to help you realign with yourself.

What makes me laugh? 
What motivates and moves me?

What advice would I give my younger self? What is my greatest challenge today?

Come up with some of your own questions, too. The purpose of this exercise is to be honest with yourself.

Be creative. No question or answer is too outrageous.

2. Date yourself.

Take yourself out on a date.

A sad truth is, most of us have learned how to have fun in the company of others, but have not yet embraced the fulfillment that comes from being in our own company.

What makes this prospect exciting is you get to choose the venue and spoil yourself with all the ingredients that make date night perfect for you.

Table for one at your favorite restaurant?

Maybe try a trip to your favorite local bookstore?

A personalized fitness class?

Your own personal movie night?

Whatever it is, personalize your outing to fit your needs and wants. Dress for it, plan for it and look forward to it.

3. Speak respectfully to yourself.

What does your internal dialogue sound like?

Is it empowering and gentle, or is it critical and disapproving?

Often, we speak respectfully to our friends, but we fail to have that same regard for ourselves.

Your self-talk has the power to elevate you or relegate you, so be sure to monitor it and consistently choose more loving words and phrases when you notice the negativity.

Be cognizant of how often you use disempowering words like "but," "can't" and "should."

Notice their limiting nature, and make an active decision to improve the ongoing conversation with yourself.

4. Think positive thoughts.

You have the power to choose your own thoughts. You control your mind and the ideas it produces.

Whenever you find yourself thinking thoughts that make you feel sad, angry or annoyed, decide right then and there to choose a different thought.

Thoughts that make you feel more confident and complete will immediately put you in a better frame of mind and strengthen your relationship with yourself.

This process of becoming aware of your thoughts does not happen overnight.

It is a practice that requires consistency and fine-tuning.

Be patient with yourself.

5. Do what makes you happy.

Fill your life with an abundance of things you love. Being around things we are passionate about empowers and inspires us.

Find beauty everywhere.

Listen to a song that moves you.
 Consume the foods that satisfy you.

Surround yourself with pleasurable sounds and sights.

Define your bliss.

What activity makes your heart sing?

It could be as simple as cranking up the music and salsa dancing in your kitchen or reading your favorite book at your local coffee shop.

Turn your bliss into reality.

6. Nourish your body.

How do you nourish and honor your body?

Taking proper care of yourself on a physical level allows you to show up in the world more effectively and energetically.

Lovingly fuel your body by making smart food choices, practicing daily exercise and getting adequate amounts of rest.

Eat well, keep moving and plan your week to encompass all the vital nourishment your body needs.

7. Love yourself.

Why shouldn't you love yourself? If not you, then who?

Make the decision to appreciate and acknowledge yourself for everything you are and everything you aspire to be.

Liking yourself and being comfortable in your own skin are imperative to your journey to becoming your own confidant.

Continually give yourself good reasons to be proud of yourself.

Keep on discovering new evidence to support your conviction.

What are your reasons for loving yourself?

Take every opportunity to remind yourself how unique and fabulous you are.

Being self-aware and providing support, acknowledgement and validation for yourself is your birthright.

Infuse these rituals into your daily life, and witness the evolution of your relationship with yourself and the increased abundance that shows up in your life.

Notice how much more confident and self-assured you become.

Once you know and love yourself on a much deeper level, you will be clearing the path to invite more healthy and meaningful relationships with others into your life.

Be your own best friend first, and you'll be surprised how easy it then is to become someone else's.

Live your own truth, make up your own mind and hear your own voice.

Good luck on your journey, and remember to enjoy the process.