Self Esteem: Increasing Success

Low self-esteem refers to a person having an overall poor sense of self-value. It essentially means having a poor opinion of yourself. Low self-esteem can encompass a range of factors, such as your sense of identity, self-confidence, feelings of competence, and feelings of belonging. Self-esteem is about more than just generally liking yourself—it also means believing that you deserve love and valuing your thoughts, feelings, opinions, interests, and goals. It can also play a role in how you allow others to treat you.

Having low self-esteem means that you often think negatively about yourself, judge yourself badly, and lack confidence in your abilities. Some common signs or symptoms of low self-esteem include lack of confidence, external locus of control, negative social comparisons, trouble asking for help, worry and doubt, difficulty accepting compliments, negative self-talk, fear of failure, the poor outlook of the future, lack of boundaries, and being a people-pleaser.

Low self-esteem can hurt many areas of life. It can affect your relationships, job performance, and overall health. People with low self-esteem may struggle to form healthy relationships and may have difficulty asserting themselves or setting boundaries. They may also have trouble achieving their goals and may be more prone to depression and anxiety.

There are many potential causes of low self-esteem. Some people may develop low self-esteem as a result of negative experiences in childhood or adolescence. For example, experiencing ongoing harsh criticism from authority figures such as parents or teachers can contribute to low self-esteem. Being raised by emotionally distant parents or caregivers or going through childhood trauma such as parental divorce or sexual abuse can also affect a person’s sense of self-worth.

In some cases, low self-esteem may be linked to behaviours that are out of sync with a person’s value system or personal ethics. It may also be caused by being in an abusive relationship with a romantic partner, boss, or significant other2.

While genetics may play a role in the development of low self-esteem, it is not the only factor. A combination of genetic and environmental factors may influence a person’s self-esteem.

The good news is that it is possible to improve your self-esteem. There are many steps you can take to feel better about yourself and boost your sense of self-worth.

One important step is to think positively about yourself. This means challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones.?For example, instead of thinking “I’m not good enough,” try thinking “I have many strengths and talents.” It can also be helpful to focus on your achievements and progress rather than dwelling on your shortcomings.

Treating yourself well is another important step towards improving your self-esteem. This means taking care of your physical health by eating well and exercising regularly. It also means taking care of your mental health by engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Practising self-acceptance and forgiveness is also important for improving your self-esteem. This means accepting yourself for who you are and forgiving yourself for past mistakes. It can be helpful to remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s okay to not be perfect.

Getting support from friends and loved ones can also help boost your self-esteem. Surrounding yourself with people who love and support you can help you feel better about yourself and more confident in your abilities.

Actively challenging negative thoughts and self-criticism is another important step towards improving your self-esteem. This means recognizing when you are being overly critical of yourself and actively working to change those thought patterns. It can be helpful to practice positive affirmations or engage in activities that boost your confidence.

In conclusion, low self-esteem can harm many areas of life but it is possible to improve your sense of self-worth by taking steps such as thinking positively about yourself, treating yourself well, practising self-acceptance and forgiveness, getting support from friends and loved ones, and actively challenging negative thoughts and self-criticism.