Hype is defined by Urban Dictionary as the feeling when we get really excited about something. We can easily get hyped about things like a good time with our friends or a really good sandwich, but how easy is it to get hyped about ourselves? Believe it or not, you can hype yourself up through a few simple acts and can make a huge impact on how you feel about yourself. Getting excited not about a good sandwich, but about yourself can drastically improve your mood and flip the way you approach your day. Here are five small ways to accomplish this!
Give a Random Act of Kindness
Now, I know this one sounds a little weird and it’s probably not what you were expecting to read in an article about hyping yourself up, but stay with me. Doing something kind for someone else hypes you up because it feels good to do good. Random acts of kindness can be anything from paying for the person behind you in the drive-through line to complimenting the outfit of a complete stranger.
No matter what you decide to do, showing kindness not only puts a smile on the face of others, but it puts one on your face as well. Knowing that you just brightened a stranger’s day may very well brighten your day as well. Remember, being kind takes little-to-no amount of extra energy, and yet it can greatly benefit own feelings about yourself. Do a good thing for someone and then hype yourself up for it afterward! As I said before, it feels good to do good, so be kind and embrace all the good in you!
Dress for Yourself
While leggings and t-shirts are more comfortable and definitely the move on some days, it’s amazing what a cute outfit can do for your confidence throughout the day. First thing in the morning, find an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself, put it on and take a good look in the mirror for a minute. As young women, we are often discouraged from looking at ourselves for too long because it can translate to vanity; but there is absolutely nothing wrong with admiring your look and feeling good about who’s looking back at you!
Affirm, Affirm, Affirm
While looking at yourself in the mirror with that super cute outfit on, give yourself some words of affirmation like “Damn! I look so good today!” If that’s a little too much for you, start with something simple like “I like how my hair looks today,” or “I feel really good in this outfit.” Whatever you choose, take a moment to say some positive things about yourself or specific things you like about your body! We never hesitate to say nice things to hype up our friends when they need a self-esteem boost, so why should we treat ourselves any differently?
Let Yourself be the Main Character
After getting ready and taking a moment to appreciate how beautiful you are, find an upbeat playlist and deem it your soundtrack for the day. Whether you’re walking, driving, or riding to class or wherever you spend your day, put on your playlist and rock out! Every main character needs a soundtrack to dance through life to, so start building yours. Find the songs that put a smile on your face, strut it out, and absolutely own it!
Bring Peace to Your Space
The life of a college student gets busy, sleepy, stressful, and messy. Sometimes this is reflected in our personal spaces. Maybe it starts with an unmade bed, but then progresses to undone laundry, shoes strewn everywhere, a paper-covered desk, and just an overall disheveled environment. These surroundings do nothing but add to the overflowing stress we feel every day, so we need to do what we can to eliminate that as a stress inducer.
Take a few minutes, put on that soundtrack we talked about earlier, and pick up your space. Maybe even light a candle or two! It feels so much better to have a clean, sweet-smelling, calming space than to be surrounded by piles of things you feel as though you don’t have the time or energy to fix. I know we get busy and this level of cleanliness is hard to maintain sometimes, but I always feel so much better about myself when my space feels good, too. You should want your most comfortable space to be comforting to you, not a space that adds to your blue mood.