Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. It’s how you perceive and value yourself. When you have healthy self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and see yourself as deserving of happiness and success. When you have low self-esteem, you put yourself down, doubt your abilities, and feel like you don’t deserve good things in life. In this blog post I will share some tips for those of you who, like me, need to improve their self-esteem.
Why do some people struggle with self-esteem?
Self-esteem is important because it affects every area of your life. It impacts your relationships, your career, your health, and your overall happiness. If you have low self-esteem, you’re more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. You’re also more likely to make poor choices in life, such as staying in an abusive relationship or using drugs and alcohol to cope with your problems.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to low self-esteem, including:
A history of trauma or abuse. When people experience abuse, they often blame themselves and develop low self-esteem as a result.
A difficult childhood. If you didn’t have a stable or loving home life growing up, you may struggle with self-esteem issues as an adult. This is because babies first develop self-esteem based on their relationship with their primary care givers, who are usually their parents. If those relationships are unhealthy, it can impact how you feel about yourself later in life.
A chronic illness or disability. If you have a chronic illness or disability, you may feel like you do not fit in, or that you are worth less than others who do not face the same challenges. This is because our society puts a lot of emphasis on physical appearance and ability.
Genetics. Some people are simply more prone to low self-esteem than others, due to their genes or brain chemistry.
Major life changes or transitions. Any major change in your life, such as starting a new job, going through a divorce, or experiencing the death of a loved one can trigger low self-esteem. This is because change can be stressful and difficult to adjust to.
Poverty. People who live in poverty often have low self-esteem because they feel like they can’t provide for themselves or their families. They may also blame themselves for their cash strapped circumstances and feel like they are not worthy of good things in life.
Bullying. Unfortunately, bullying is all too common, especially among children and teenagers. If you were bullied growing up, it can lead to self-esteem issues in adulthood.
Body image issues. We are living in the era of Instagram, where everyone is seemingly perfect. It’s easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t measure up. This can be especially difficult if you have a “non-traditional” body type. Research conducted by Facebook found that social media is having a dramatic impact on the self-esteem of teens, especially girls, who hold themselves up to unrealistic standards.
Addiction and substance abuse. People who struggle with addiction often have low self-esteem. This is because they feel like they can’t control their addiction, which leads to shame and feelings of worthlessness.
The good news is that self-esteem is something that you can work on and improve. If you’re not happy with how you feel about yourself, there are steps you can take to boost your self-esteem and improve your life.
How can I improve my self-esteem?
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your self-esteem. Here are some tips:
Acknowledge your achievements: When you accomplish something, big or small, take a moment to acknowledge it. This will help you start building a positive association with achievement.
Stop comparing yourself to others: One of the quickest ways to feel bad about yourself is to start comparing your accomplishments, looks, or anything else to others. Everyone is on their own path, so comparisons are ultimately futile.
Focus on your strengths: We all have strengths and weaknesses. Spend more time focusing on and honing your strengths, rather than trying to fix your weaknesses. This will help you feel more confident in yourself.
Challenge your negative thoughts: When you have a negative thought about yourself, stop and challenge it. Is it really true? Is there any evidence to support it? Most of the time, you’ll find that your negative thoughts are based on irrational beliefs.
Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. Don’t beat yourself up or dwell on your shortcomings. Speak to yourself in the same way you would speak to a close friend, with kindness and understanding.
Take care of yourself: One of the best things you can do for your self-esteem is to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep, and find healthy ways to cope with stress. When you feel good about yourself, it will show in your self-esteem.
Build healthy relationships: Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself and avoid those who bring you down. When you’re around positive people, it will rub off on you and help improve your self-esteem.
Help others: Doing good deeds for others is a great way to boost your self-esteem. When you help someone, it makes you feel needed and valuable. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Do things that make you happy: Make time for activities that make you feel good. This could be anything from reading, hiking, playing sports, or listening to music. When you do things you enjoy, it will boost your mood and improve your self-esteem.
Get professional help: If you’re struggling to improve your self-esteem, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist or counsellor. They can help you identify the root of your issues and give you tools to improve your self-esteem.
The Takeaway
Low self-esteem can be a difficult issue to deal with. These tips can help you get started on the road to improving your self-esteem. It will take time and practice to change the way you think about yourself, but it is possible. Just keep at it and be patient with yourself.
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