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Do you ever struggle to accept positive praise from others or yourself? It's easy to feel uncomfortable or even dismiss it, but practicing self-appreciation can help you recognize and honor your own worth and value. Unfortunately, our brains have a built-in negativity bias, meaning we tend to focus more on our shortcomings than our strengths. And if we grew up in an environment where celebrating our accomplishments was discouraged, it can feel downright unnatural to appreciate ourselves. But don't worry, there are ways to develop self-appreciation! According to Neff and Germer (2018), self-compassion is key. This involves treating ourselves with kindness, acknowledging that everyone has flaws and making peace with our own, and staying present and mindful of our strengths. By cultivating self-appreciation through self-compassion, we can begin to appreciate our own goodness and accomplishments without feeling isolated or arrogant. And as we develop wisdom and gratitude, we can see our strengths and achievements in a broader context, recognizing all the people and experiences that helped us become who we are today.