To give ourselves praise for the things we achieve is neither arrogant nor conceited. It’s actually the ideal way to help us feel better about ourselves. It’s a deserved tonic for when we do things well, however simple – like if we notice an improvement on something like a poor eating habit, or an increase in productivity, which we are consciously trying to improve. That deserves your self-praise! It goes deeper than commending yourself; it actually helps to “re-wire” your addled or negative mind.

To even contemplate a “well done, Emma” felt very strange for me at first. For some of us, praising ourselves can feel alien, especially if you’ve not received praise in your childhood.This is because our feelings of self-worth have simply not been developed; we are like a plant that’s grown out of shape because we’ve been badly cared for and placed out of sunlight.

Try to recognise the ways that abuse or neglect has affected your personality. Think of your difficult experiences as layers of dust that have distorted the way you view yourself – learning to praise yourself can help to wipe away the dust. And the next time you achieve something, bravely start to acknowledge it with a positive affirmation.