Take a break
from your busy academic daily schedule.
Take a couple of deep breaths.
Allow your self to look inwards for a little while.
What is going on in there lately?
Answer honestly
nobody is listening, but you.
Are you taking care of yourself?
Remember that
your self-esteem depends
on how well you can recognize
and take care of your needs. So take a minute
and check the following list out.

As you read ask your self:
· Did you get your needs met today?
· If so how did you get them met?
· Were any of the ways you met your needs unhealthy or unsafe?
Remember there are NO WRONG ANSWERS.
Whatever you answer is ALWAYS TRUE for you.

Think of yourself and your needs today:
1. Physical safety and security
2. Financial security
3. Friendship
4. The attention of others
5. Being listened to
6. Guidance
7. Respect
8. Validation
9. Expressing and sharing your feelings
10. Sense of belonging
11. Nurturing
12. Physically touching and being touched
13. Intimacy
14. Sexual expression
15. Loyalty and trust
16. A sense of accomplishment
17. A sense of progress towards goals
18. Feeling competent or masterful in some area
19. making a contribution
20. Fun and Play
21. Sense of freedom
22. Independence
23. Creativity
24. Spiritual awareness
25. Unconditional love
(Source for list of needs: Edmond Bourne, (2000). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, CA: New Harbinger Publications.)