Self-esteem is one of those areas in your life that is often invisible but can have an enormous and influential impact on your daily life and how you approach your hopes and goals. Put simply, self-esteem can be described as the way that you view yourself, whether you have a positive opinion of your abilities and self, or whether you have a more critical and negative view of who you are. For many people, self-esteem is an area that could do with some improving, and you might often feel like you have a highly critical view of yourself that others may not see.
Poor self-esteem isn’t something that should be ignored or accepted, however. Whatever your lifestyle, you deserve to feel valuable and worthy and approach your life in an optimistic and resilient way. Here are some simple ways that you can start building your self-esteem:
Change how you speak to yourself
We are often our own worst critics and will frequently say cruel and hurtful things to ourselves that we would never say to others. This habit can come from a number of sources, such as having highly critical parents when growing up. As adults, having a harsh inner critic can often sap self-confidence and prevent you from being your best self.
A simple way to turn this around is by deciding to talk to yourself in the way that you’d speak to a valued and dear friend. You can start by writing down a few of your own inner criticisms, however blunt and mean they might be. Then take another look at them, and write a response to them, imagining a friend had said these things about themselves. This can help you see your inner criticisms from a kinder and gentler perspective.
Invest in self-care
Very often, a drop in self-esteem can come hand in hand with poorer physical health. You may have been unwell, had a weight change, or other major shift that has impacted your appearance or physical abilities. To help you feel more confident in yourself, it can be helpful to invest a little more time or money in the activities that can help remedy these issues.
For instance, you might want to visit a dentist Vestavia Hills based if you have been feeling self-conscious about your smile or sign up for a fitness class to help you feel fitter and more energised.
Embrace imperfections
Lastly, perfectionism is often one of the biggest culprits when it comes to low self-esteem. While aspiring for perfection may seem like a worthy goal, in reality, it can lead to feeling constantly dissatisfied and unhappy with your achievements. Chasing after perfection prevents you from seeing all you have done.
Remember that everyone is imperfect, no matter how glossy their lives might look on the outside. This imperfection is what makes each person unique, so learn to recognise these imperfections and note how they add charm and personality to yourself, as well as those around you.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
