Self-image
Self-image is the way a person perceives his or her own person, appearance, capabilities, features and place in the world.
Definition
Self-image influences decisions, relationships, boundaries and readiness to act. It may be supportive, distorted, too harsh, or built on past experiences that no longer describe the current reality. Working with self-image is about updating the map, not about forcing artificial certainty.
Key ideas
- Self-esteem and self-perception
- The influence of experience
- Updating beliefs about yourself
Practice and life
Write down three sentences that you often think about yourself, and support each one with facts: what confirms them and what contradicts them.
Common misconceptions
It is a mistake to treat self-image as an objective fact. The second mistake is to build it solely on other people's assessments.
> Self-image is not always a current photograph.
> — Guru Element
Questions for self-reflection
- What story about myself do I repeat most often?
- Is this story relevant?
- What facts show a more complete picture of me?