Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is an individual’s overall sense of personal value and self-worth

Characteristics of low self-esteem

• A person with low self-esteem is extremely critical of themselves
• They downplay or ignore their positive qualities
• They judge themselves to be inferior to others

Effects of low self-esteem

• Living with low self-esteem can harm mental health and lead to problems such as depression and anxiety
• It can impact relationships, job, and health

Ways to improve self-esteem

• Identify and challenge negative beliefs about yourself
• Build positive relationships
• Be kind to yourself
• Learn to be assertive
• Give yourself a challenge
• Avoid ‘should’ and ‘must’ statements
• Forgive yourself

It is important to note that boosting self-esteem takes attention and daily practice

If you are having trouble improving your self-esteem or if low self-esteem is causing problems such as depression, it is recommended to see a doctor for information, advice, and referral

Low self-esteem can be triggered by various factors, including:

• Unhappy childhood where parents or significant people were extremely critical
• Poor academic performance in school resulting in a lack of confidence
• Ongoing stressful life events such as relationship breakdown or financial trouble
• Negative self-talk
• Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression
• Negative body image
• Perfectionism
• Feeling worthless
• Oversensitivity
• People-pleasing

It is important to recognize the triggers of low self-esteem to address them and improve self-esteem. Seeking professional advice is recommended for underlying self-esteem problems such as relationship breakdown, anxiety disorder, or financial worries

Childhood experiences can have a significant impact on self-esteem in adulthood. Here are some ways in which childhood experiences can affect self-esteem:

• Family bonding during childhood plays an important role in building self-esteem during adulthood
• Adverse childhood experiences such as child maltreatment can increase self-shame and lower self-esteem, which can result in depression in adulthood
• Adverse childhood experiences are associated with significant functional impairments and loss of life in adolescence and adulthood
• Childhood neglect and trauma can lead to never feeling good enough, self-erasure, lack of self-love and self-care, strong narcissistic tendencies, and social anxiety in adulthood
• Positive childhood experiences can have a positive impact on self-esteem and psychological resilience in adulthood

It is important to recognize the impact of childhood experiences on self-esteem and seek professional help if necessary. Therapy can help individuals work through past experiences and develop a healthier self-image

Improving self-esteem is a process that takes time and effort. Here are some ways individuals can work on redefining their self-image as adults to improve self-esteem:

1. Identify and challenge negative beliefs about yourself: The first step is to identify negative beliefs about yourself and challenge them. Notice your thoughts and try to replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations
2. Start small: Take it one step at a time. Set simple and achievable goals, and then start completing them. This can help build confidence and self-esteem
3. Take a 2-minute self-appreciation break: Sometimes it helps to simply take a deep breath, slow down, and ask yourself what it is that you appreciate about yourself. Thinking of a few things that you appreciate about yourself will help you to build your self-esteem, and it can help you turn a negative mood into a positive one
4. Say “No” to your inner critic: Learning how to handle and replace the voice of your inner critic is a good place to start with raising your self-esteem. Identify and challenge negative thoughts. The easier it is to identify an issue, the easier it is to change it
5. Go for good enough: Comparing yourself to others can be a major source of low self-esteem. Instead, focus on doing your best and being satisfied with “good enough”
6. Seek professional help: If you are struggling with self-esteem issues, seeking professional help can be beneficial. A therapist can help you work through past experiences and develop a healthier self-image

It is important to remember that improving self-esteem is a process that takes time and effort. By taking small steps and seeking professional help if necessary, individuals can work on redefining their self-image and improving their self-esteem.

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can feel difficult to change. We might also think of this as self-confidence.

Here are some examples of self-esteem:

• Positive self-esteem: People with positive self-esteem believe in themselves and their abilities. They are confident in their decisions and actions, and they are not afraid to take risks. They also have a strong sense of self-worth and believe that they deserve to be happy and successful.
• Negative self-esteem: People with negative self-esteem have a poor opinion of themselves. They may feel unworthy, inadequate, or insecure. They may also be overly critical of themselves and their mistakes. They may have difficulty setting goals and achieving them, and they may be more likely to give up easily.

There are many factors that can affect self-esteem, including:

• Our upbringing: The way we are raised can have a big impact on our self-esteem. If we are raised in a supportive and loving environment, we are more likely to develop positive self-esteem. However, if we are raised in a negative or critical environment, we are more likely to develop negative self-esteem.
• Our experiences: Our experiences throughout life can also affect our self-esteem. If we have positive experiences, such as achieving success or being praised for our accomplishments, we are more likely to develop positive self-esteem. However, if we have negative experiences, such as being bullied or abused, we are more likely to develop negative self-esteem.
• Our thoughts and beliefs: The way we think about ourselves and our abilities can also affect our self-esteem. If we have negative thoughts about ourselves, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never succeed,” we are more likely to have low self-esteem. However, if we have positive thoughts about ourselves, such as “I’m capable of anything I set my mind to” or “I deserve to be happy,” we are more likely to have high self-esteem.

Self-esteem is important because it can affect many aspects of our lives, including our relationships, our work, and our overall well-being. People with high self-esteem are more likely to be happy, successful, and confident. They are also more likely to have healthy relationships and cope well with stress.

If you are struggling with low self-esteem, there are things you can do to improve it. Here are a few tips:

• Identify your negative thoughts and beliefs. Once you know what your negative thoughts are, you can start to challenge them and replace them with more positive ones.
• Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Make a list of your strengths and focus on them.
• Set goals and achieve them. When you achieve a goal, it will boost your self-esteem.
• Spend time with positive people. The people we spend time with can have a big impact on our self-esteem. Surround yourself with positive people who support you and make you feel good about yourself.
• Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help improve your self-esteem.

If you are struggling to improve your self-esteem on your own, you may want to seek professional help. A therapist can help you identify the root of your low self-esteem and develop strategies to improve it.