When looking in the mirror, many of us have too many negative things to say to our reflections, whether about our physical, mental, or emotional characteristics. We tear ourselves down far more than anyone else does, never giving ourselves the praise we deserve. We wait for others to give us compliments, which we often deny; we make ourselves believe that we are less than we are. Here are five things that I, and many others, need to tell ourselves more often.

1. "You look great."

Too often I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. Sometimes it's because I'm simply having a bad self-esteem day, or because I feel like I can't pull off an outfit. Sometimes it's because I don't like my weight, or because my hair seems to have a mind of its own. These are the times that I choose to put myself down and think negative thoughts rather than build myself up. Sometimes I just need to reassure myself that I look great.

2. "You're not alone."

At times it seems as though I'm on my own, like no one knows how I may be feeling, like I'm all I've got to get through a situation I may be struggling with. Sometimes I just need to remember that although it may seem like I'm on my own, I never really am. No one is. Whether we have faith on our side, or our best friends there to help us, we're never alone. Believing that we are alone will only make us feel more alone; we just need to remember that we always have people who are there for us, even if they're not actively there all the time.

3. "You are loved."

This goes hand-in-hand with not being alone. We are loved even if it may not seem like it 100% of the time. Sometimes I feel as though no one is there for me and maybe no one loves me or ever will. Other times, I know that this is completely and utterly irrational. I know that people don't have to actively show that they love me all the time, and yet can still love me all the time. I love my sister all the time, even when she's in brat mode, for example.

4. "I'm proud of you."

I haven't found a cure for cancer and I haven't traveled to space and signed a peace agreement with an alien nation, but I'm still proud of myself. I'm proud of myself for graduating high school and for getting into college; I'm proud of myself for working hard at my minimum wage job. Frankly, I'm proud of myself for getting a D+ in my logic class. I don't need to accomplish an incredible feat to deserve praise; I deserve praise just for the little things and I need to start telling myself "I'm proud of you" more often — because I am.

5. "You've got this."

At times, I feel as though I'm in over my head and can't handle what I've got coming, whether it be a difficult situation, or a simple one. No matter what, I just need to remember that I've got this, because I do, whether independently, or with the help of my friends and family.