It’s important to keep in mind that you are not alone. The more people who are thinking about this stuff, the better. This is your chance to get involved with other positive thinkers and do something for yourself! Here are some suggestions that can help you get started. If you have some ideas of your own, feel free to add them in the comments below.
What Is Empowerment?
Empowerment is the process of committing to your health, self-care and happiness.
It’s about stopping negative thoughts that keep you stuck in a rut.
And doing things for yourself because they are good for you.
It’s taking control of your life instead of feeling victimized by circumstances outside of your control.
How to Empower Others?
Share your story
One of the best ways to empower yourself and others is to share your story. When you share what you’re going through, it can help other people feel less alone and more understood. It can also help you see your situation in a new light.
Find a support group
Whether it’s an online community or a meet up in your area, mental health support groups can help you share your story and provide encouragement and insight from people who have been through similar experiences.
Educate yourself
The more you know about someone else’s position, the easier it is to empathize with them and treat them like a human being instead of an abstract concept. Learning about different cultures, religions, and lifestyles can also help you see the world in a new light.
Volunteer
Helping others is one of the best ways to feel empowered yourself. It can give you a sense of purpose and make you feel like you’re making a difference in the world.
Speak out
If you see something that isn’t right, speak up. Silence is complicity, and the more people who speak out against injustice, the better.
Think positive thoughts
The world can be a pretty negative place sometimes. But if we all start thinking more positive thoughts, it can make a difference. Not only will we feel better, but we’ll be better neighbors to each other.
Be a mentor
You were once young and looking for advice. Pay it forward by being a mentor to someone who is going through something you’ve been through before. They will appreciate your guidance and insight, as well as the opportunity to learn from your experience.
Volunteer at an animal shelter
Helping animals can help you lift your spirits and see that there are still many good things in the world. Plus, it’s just nice to be around animals.
Be extra kind to people who look like they could use a friend
Sometimes, all someone needs is a smile or another human being to make them feel less alone. Be that person for someone who needs it today.
We hope these suggestions help you get started on your journey to empowerment! If you have any other ideas, feel free to share them in the comments below.
What You Can Do To Empower Yourself?
- Start each day with an empowering, positive mantra that speaks to your desires and aspirations. “I am healthy” or “I love myself today” are examples of simple things you can say (out loud) to help you feel good and make changes in your thoughts and behaviors.
- Journal your thoughts and feelings. This can help you to track your progress, as well as identify any patterns or triggers that may be causing you difficulties.
- Identify your personal values and make decisions based on those values. Doing things that are in line with your values will help to increase your sense of self-worth and empowerment.
- Make time for yourself. This doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. A relaxing bath, reading your favorite book, or taking a walk in nature can all help to reduce stress and recharge your batteries.
- Connect with positive people who will support and encourage you on your journey to empowerment. Spending time around people who make you feel jealous or in a worse state than when you started will only serve to increase your guilt and shame. Find people who are doing empowering things that inspire enthusiasm in you.
- Participate in activities that increase self-awareness, such as yoga, meditation or attending seminars and workshops on topics of interest for you.
- Take action towards your goals. Achieving small wins will help to increase your feelings of self-efficacy and empowerment.
- Be gentle with yourself – setbacks and failures are a normal part of the journey. Empowered people are not perfect, they simply learn from their mistakes and continue moving forward.
- Forgive yourself for past mistakes and take responsibility for your current reality.
- Get out in nature and connect with the natural world – hike, swim, or simply sit quietly outside and observe your environment without judgment or expectation of what you should be feeling.
- Focus on what’s good and right about yourself and others around you instead of dwelling on any perceived flaws.
- Practice gratitude for what you have and who you are, as well as the things that inspire enthusiasm in your life. Gratitude is the antidote to shame and resentment.
- Let go of things that don’t serve you – people, ideas, objects – they drain your energy when you’re holding onto them. Holding onto stuff is the opposite of empowerment.
- Nurture yourself with healthy habits – exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep etc. These are the things that will give you more energy for doing positive things in your life.
- Be open to new ideas and experiences rather than being set in old beliefs, behaviors and patterns of thinking that limit your potential.
- Have fun, make things happen! Empowered people can plan a vacation or go on a last minute road trip to the beach because they know that life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.
- Be proactive in managing your health and wellbeing – by taking small steps every day. For example, instead of thinking about all the things you need to do, make a short list of things that you can do today. As your confidence and self-efficacy grows, so will your ability to achieve more in life.
- Do empowering activities together with others – helping other people is one of the most effective ways to empower yourself because it increases self-worth, self-efficacy and feelings of purpose.
- Empowered people are not victims so stop playing the victim role in your life – take responsibility for all areas of your life where you have power to make a difference. Refuse to be a helpless bystander while bad things happen to yourself or others around you.
Conclusion
Empowerment is not a destination, it’s a journey. It takes time, effort and perseverance to cultivate feelings of self-worth and empowerment.
But the benefits are worth the effort. When you’re empowered, you have more control over your life, you’re more resilient in the face of setbacks and you’re better able to manifest positive and constructive changes.
Take the strong, empowered people you know and think about what they do that empowers them – now consider whether those same things could be used to empower you.
Remember, empowerment is a conscious choice – choose to be empowered!
