Challenging the way we think about ourselves brings about positive change in our relationship with ourselves.

I used to see myself very negatively. I would criticise myself, compare myself to others and judge myself as not being good enough. I doubted that there was any good in me at all.

I was always looking at others and what they expected of me and I tried to please them.

I felt good about myself only if they approved of me or if I was making them happy.

All of this was such hard work. To get any kind of recognition I had to push myself and this meant that I ignored my own needs.

Over the years my self-image changed.

I am now able to see the positive in me. I see myself as someone who is growing. I see myself as someone who can stand alone. I feel a deep inner security.

I see myself as having great potential. I feel myself growing more and more into this potential.

What caused this change?

Firstly I recognised that I needed to change. I felt I could not continue as I was. I was too unhappy.

Then I realised I had to do something to change. I also realised that I could not do it alone. I needed help. I began to read books. I then looked for persons/groups that could help me.

I did workshops. I became involved in different therapies. I wrote about my experiences in a journal.

I noticed that I was learning a lot about myself. I met people who were interested in me and who reflected what was good in me. I slowly began to believe that what they were saying was true. I began to believe in my goodness. I also began to make good decisions for myself – decisions that freed me from abusive relationships; decisions that put me in environments where I was appreciated nurtured and where I could be myself.

I started to follow my deep dreams for myself. I sensed the possibility of happiness.

All this caused my self-image to change.

Today I feel that my self-image keeps on changing as I grow and discover more about myself.

Zofia has been a PRH Educator in Australia for 17 years.

She co-ordinates PRH Australia and is part of the advisory committee for PRH International. She loves the challenge of running her PRH Practice. She delights in seeing people grow.

Do you want to change your self-image? Then here is a workshop for you....

Discovering the Core of My Identity

In this two day workshop you will:

• become aware of your self-image, • discover the positive elements of your identity • incorporate these positive elements into your self-image.

Please click here for more information.