This advice was given to Chandler Bing in the TV-series Friends.
Many people walk around with the feeling that they aren't enough, that no one really likes them and that there might be something wrong with them.
This is a regular and unnecessary emotion. All of us have parts that are great and there are lots of people who would love you for them.
It all starts with you. If you like yourself you will send signals of confidence to others, you will stand up for yourself and people will respect you. They will see that you are a person, not someone trying to be someone they aren't.
Insecurity shines through
It is easy to spot an insecure person trying to overcompensate; they stand out, make too much noise, can't handle silence and usually get on everyone's nerves.
If you start with yourself and build your confidence you will never fall into this trap.
How to like yourself - 5 steps
1. Understand there is something to like
Even though I have never met you I know there are many things to like about you. You are unique, a wonderful person, with your own faults and flaws that only make you even more interesting.
2. Write down everything good about you
By listing everything great about yourself you will see that there are good things to you, there are reasons for you to love yourself and reasons for others to love you as well.
3. Even if there is only 1 point on that list, think about how you can improve that trait and how you can add more to it.
If you are in a really bad place it can be hard to add things to the list, hard to think of positive sides to yourself. That is okej, even if you can't see it now, I promise there are many reasons to like you.
Focus on what you like right now and expand on that.
4. Be yourself, the person you want to be, not the person you think others want you to be.
You will never be truly confident and interesting as someone else then yourself. Don't be afraid to show your weaknesses and your strengths instead of adopting someone else's.
5. Choose the right friends, chose people who will like you for you.
If the people you are spending time with today don't like the person you really are, don't be afraid to change social circles. I know it can be hard, but the point with friends is that they make you feel better about yourself, if the people you are spending time with today don't let you be yourself, find others that will.
I had this problem growing up
I was very insecure and it made people run me over. I couldn't say no to an opportunity to get into their "good books" so I was tricked into doing all kinds of stupid things.
It wasn't until I changed my friends and started hanging out with people who would like me for me, that I could start to relax and get to know myself. It turns out I am a pretty cool guy, at least the real me is.
Don't be afraid of letting go
Seeing the truth can be very hard, changing friends can be frightening, but the rewards are more than worth it, if you can be happy, isn't that worth everything?
Conclusion
Start by getting to know yourself, understanding who you really are and why you should be proud of being yourself, once you have others will open up as well.