“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” ~ Steve Maraboli

Ever since I was 9, I knew I’m an introvert who loves to wear black and only black, eat chips with yogurt and read the so-called BL novels. And I know I’ll probably stay as one for life.

But is it so bad?

Your Relationship with Yourself

If you’re an introvert like me, you may have all sorts of questions like will I ever have good friends, will I ever be successful if I’m not a people person, will I ever be happy if I end up alone and so on.

But looking at where I’m today, a passionate writer and you probably can’t imagine, a community manager, they’re not likely to come true.

Here are 7 easy ways to strengthen your relationship with yourself and be happy once again.

7 Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship With Yourself

1. Strengthen your relationship with yourself by listening to music.

Back when I was studying at McGill, every morning when I was walking down Sherbrooke, I would listen to songs on my iPad, hum to the beat and dance all the way into the classroom.

I find that listening to music makes me feel positive about life and everything around me. Even when I’m in a depressed mood, it helps me get back on my feet and feel positive of what’s ahead.

What’s more, music makes you reflect on life and helps you build confidence about who you are, regardless of what everyone else thinks.

2. Strengthen your relationship with yourself by reading books.

When was the last time you read a book?

There are people like you and me, who have reading habits centered around Facebook updates, tweets, and news on the Internet or television. Reading can help us increase our knowledge, expand our vocabularies, improve our memory and be more focused. Not to mention that writers like myself get to craft our writing skills by reading the works of others.

So read. To be inspired, and be better.

3. Strengthen your relationship with yourself by traveling on your own.

It doesn’t have to be far. It doesn’t have to be a long trip either.

You can easily book the tickets now, pack your wallet and clothes in a backpack, and be ready for a 4-day trip in a city you’re not living in.

Traveling broadens your mind. It can change the way you see people and things, especially when you’re traveling on your own. Friends you meet along the way, sights you see at each stop, moments when you got lost on the streets, etc. These are all adventures that will enrich your life.

4. Strengthen your relationship with yourself through social media.

Social media isn’t all that social actually. It can be the perfect place for us introverts to talk to one another without actually talking. You don’t need to say a single word if you don’t want to.

May it be Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you’ll have a chance to connect with millions of people worldwide – without having to leave your bed. What can be more fun than reaching out to old friends and meet new ones, learn tons of new things, and feel you belong?

5. Pick up a new habit. And be crazy about it.

Start a project that you’re passionate about. For example, write a blog, or get an Instagram account where you take and share photos of the things you love. Look where passion took Julie Powell!

Be as creative and bold as you can be. It’s your chance to feel accomplished and great about yourself. So, why not turn your interest into something that shows your talent and brilliance, by telling the world you have a story that’s worth telling?

6. Say “no” when you want to.

It’s not about being kind or polite, but rather, defining your own principles and living by them.

Never be afraid to say no to things you don’t want to do. It’s the same when being asked to handle a task that isn’t your responsibility, join a meeting that doesn’t concern you, have dinner with people you hardly know or get along with, and so on.

So say no when it’s right to do so. You won’t regret it later.

7. Strengthen your relationship with yourself by having a magical word.

Have a little statement or reminder that you can repeat to yourself over and over again. It can help reassure you how you see life and live life to the fullest.

Mine is borrowed from Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” Life is short and time can’t rewind. This is why I continue to tell myself to grasp onto life and get the best out of it.

So, here I am. An introvert, but a happy introvert who’s happy in her happy little world.

I enjoy myself so much that I love to stay home 6 days of a week, and have just a few best friends rather than a bunch of Facebook friends.

Stay true to who you are, follow these tips on how to embrace your inner self and feel good about it! Especially if you love to hang out with yourself.

~love, Luminita💫

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