My dad thinks he is pretty. Just ask him, he will tell you. While you're at it, ask him if he thinks I am pretty. Do you know what he will say?
"Almost as pretty as me."
Any girl that grew up around our family has had the same argument with my father. It begins with him saying that she is almost as pretty as he is, to which she will argue that boys aren't "pretty" so he can't be pretty. He will insist that he is pretty until the little girl is insisting that HE is not pretty SHE is pretty. Then he laughs, hugs and goes on about his business, leaving her to continue muttering to herself, "I'm pretty, not him."
It's a pretty genius move, if you ask me. He has trained every single cousin, granddaughter, niece and smattering of friends to be able to utter the words: I am pretty. We learned to compliment ourselves without even realizing that we were doing it.
We all hold a narrative about ourselves. It's the things we say/think about ourselves all the time. Negative thoughts are like little magnets to other negative thoughts that eventually create a barrier to recognizing anything positive. There has been study after study that indicate that a positive narrative will decrease anxiety, improve relationships, increase work and school performance, and improve self confidence and resilience.
How long has it been since you've complimented yourself? Are you noticing the 10,000 things you did right today? Or focusing on the 1 thing that didn't go like you wanted it to? Most of us are taught that noticing the good things about ourselves is selfish or conceited-and that we are supposed to be humble and dismissive about our positive traits. It doesn't have to be that way, though. Knowingly or not, my dad taught us to say positive things about ourselves. Not only is it ok, but it's healthy to compliment yourself. Be proud of the things you like about yourself. Say it out loud.
And, if you need help, I am certain that my dad would be happy to tell you that you are almost as pretty as him.