subject: Ironing can help you raise your self-esteem [print this page] Ironing can help you raise your self-esteem
When I was ironing my dress the other day, I realised that I didn't hate ironing as much as I used to hate it.I thought curiously about what it could be that made it more pleasant this time. The answer I think is that this time I was relaxed and mindful about what I was doing. Practising mindfulness in this way is a great way to increase your self-awareness that you need in order to build self-esteem.
Self-esteem isfeeling that you are a valuable person. In order to feel valuable you first need to know who you are. To know who you are you need to listen to yourself. Most people are so used to having their minds occupied with future tasks on their daily schedules. What to make for dinner, when to leave the house in order to pick up the kids, what to wear for the party... Our minds are hardly ever set on what we are doing right now. If we are never present with ourselves in the present moment rather than planning our futures, we will never develop the self-awareness that is required for high self-esteem.
In the doing of simple manual tasks, such as ironing, you can practise mindfulness the art of being mindful about the present moment. When your hands move your mind can relax and focus on the here and now. For many people who are used to constantly doing something, practising mindfulness and self-awareness in this way is easier than meditating or practising self-focus in some other way that requires you to "do nothing". When you iron you know that you are already "being useful" and with that knowledge you can let yourself totally relax.
Of course ironing is not the only manual task through which your can practise mindfulness. Practise mindfulness to raise your self-esteem when you wash dishes, when youtake out the rubbishor when you cook. If you have an occupation that mainly involves physical labour (for example if you are a painter or construction worker) you can practise mindfulness to build self-esteem all day long! Rather than complaining about having to do these tasks, think of them as brilliant opportunities to boost your self-esteem. Don't think about what you need to do next. Think about who you are and what you are doing here and now. Be present in yourself and in your movements. After all, YOU are your most important self-esteem coach!
