How to Like Yourself: A Teen's Guide to Quieting Your Inner Critic and Building Lasting Self-Esteem

by Cheryl M. Bradshaw MA

Don’t let your inner critic get in the way of being confident! How to Like Yourself offers a quirky, inspiring, and practical guide to help you overcome feelings of self-criticism, improve self-esteem, and be the true star in your life. With all the pressures of school, friends, and dating, you’re especially vulnerable to low self-esteem in your teen years. But often, the biggest threat to your confidence is your own inner critic—whose unrelenting negativity can result in feelings of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety. This must-have guide offers real ways to help you fight back, be kind to yourself, and move forward with confidence. Inside, you’ll learn the importance of self-forgiveness, accepting your faults, and how to focus on the things that make you awesome! You’ll also learn strategies for defeating the dreaded ICK—the inner critic know-it-all who keeps knocking you down—and how to escape the common thought traps that hold you back from feeling good about yourself. This book unlocks the mystery of the most important relationship you will ever have—the one with yourself! So, get ready to find your true inner voice. A kinder, gentler one that will support you as you reach for your goals and create the fabulous life you were meant to live!

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[AP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely important, I’m 28 and it was a great read/guide. It is fast, it is direct, and it gives you active steps you can take toward liking yourself. I loved how accessible it was. At certain points I was surprised with how relatable the points being addressed were. Here’s to taking the step to like myself!

[Carol Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and easy to follow steps to self acceptance. Written in a language teens would be comfortable with and be encouraged by in spite of their low self esteem. Very specific, slow and doable steps. Well written.

[Stacey Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have personally enjoyed the book more if I was still a teenager (and I kept having to remind myself that it is written for a younger population). That said, the strategies shared in this book are helpful to anyone and are presented in a concise, understandable, and fun way.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the mom of a young teen perfectionist, she can come down hard on herself when her high achievement standards are not met, which can, oddly enough, lead to self dislike. I like that this book talks directly to teens on their level, though I have to say, it is a little sing songy and goofy in some parts, which feels like the audience should be 10 year olds, but likely the author is also trying to reach them too. It is an epidemic right now, self dislike and perfectionism. When a counselor-author explains how the brain and thought patterns work, it can be more believable by the teen reader than just mom giving her 'lame' advice. I have noticed a change in her, so that is saying something!

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and concise, and filled with many things that I needed to hear. I feel like after reading this book I now have to tools to pick myself back up when I fall down, and to be more resilient. And, of course, I now better understand how to like myself.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely helpful book for increasing your self-esteem in actionable ways. Though not as detailed in the actions as I'd like to be, starts off a little too peppy, and sometimes goes off on too-detailed story tangents, this was really am amazing little guide to healing and improving my self worth. I even made summary notes, it was that helpful!

I'm 27 at the time of reading, I know it's for teens, but I also know that my self esteem hasn't changed since then and many of my hang ups are from that time period in my life. This book isn't really school/teen focused actually (a few examples wordings here and there), so I'd recommend it to any age, teen or older.

Advice: take a few notes and commit to action steps after each chapter so you actually do increase your self esteem. Take your time with this book, even a chapter a week, to implement the suggested actions. Just reading once through won't change your way of thinking.

[Kianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I didn't finish reading the full book. I got it from the library, and I didn't read it all before it was due. But after reading the bit of the book that I did finish, my self esteem and confidence has been so high. This book really did help me get through some tough times

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice easy read and incredibly refreshing after reading a different wellness book that left me sad and defeated. Great practical insights and thinks to do to help with self esteem without becoming self centered.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit repetitive in places but otherwise a really helpful book.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book

Really good book very helpful
It really had some good tips
I would recommend this book to anyone
With low self esteem

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to see if this would be a good book to recommend to my students. Overall, it was pretty good.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

As advertised :)

[Luann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this work had solid ideas about how to keep your Inner Critic voice in check. Great for anyone who needs to build confidence and needs direction.

[Charla · Rating 2 out of 5]

For younger teens

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on how to like yourself - simple, easy to understand and to the point. I found this book to have some really good advice no matter how old you are.

[Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for adults as well, this is easy to read and understand even for those who aren't familiar with CBT techniques, or new to retraining your brain to be more optimistic!

[Marcia Van Camp]

Not sure if eldest read

[completelyoriginalusername · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Like Yourself is one of the most important books I have read in my life. It goes through the many ways you can learn to appreciate yourself. The book almost acts like it is a conversation, with humor and stories as if you were talking to a friend. The title is what grabbed my attention, along with my mom recommending this book to me, as liking myself is a problem I struggle with regularly. I will definitely read this again many times and look back to whenever I need to.

[Alyssa Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing! It came out during a particularly difficult time in my life and I truly loved it. It was so helpful to have an author that was trying to talk to you, not down to you. I would recommend the book to anyone struggling with a mental health issue. We all have mental health, and we all need to take care of it. Thank you for creating such an honest, funny, and interesting book <3

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Like Yourself will help show your teenager, or even young adult how to change their inner voice and survive during the transitional years of adolescence.

Definitely highly recommended for all young readers.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy through Good Reads First Reads