Hello and thank you for visiting this blog post called "Understanding low self esteem"
I hope it is informative. Maybe you came here by chance or maybe you are suffering from low self esteem, either way you are very welcome.
Low self-esteem is identified by a lack of confidence & feeling badly about oneself. People with low self-esteem feel unlovable, awkward, or incompetent.
Low self-esteem can reduce the quality of a person's life in many different ways. Constant self-criticism can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, anger, shame or guilt. You may also develop unhelpful habits, such as smoking and drinking or eating too much, as a way of coping.
Self-esteem impacts your decision-making process, your relationships, your emotional health, and your overall well-being. People who struggle with low self-esteem are consistently afraid about making mistakes or letting other people down.
It also influences motivation, as people with a healthy, positive view of themselves understand their potential and may feel inspired to take on new challenges.
So why do I suffer from low self esteem?
There can be many factors, and often more than one factor can influence our self esteem. You might identify with some of these below.
unsupportive or disapproving parents, carers or others that play an influential role in your life.
stressful life events such as divorce, loss, or moving house.
trauma or abuse, both physically (neglect, sexual for example) and emotionally.
Poor performance at school, bullying.
mood disorders such as depression.
anxiety and anxiety disorders.
health issues.
How do I improve my self esteem?
Think about what makes you happy and what you value in life.
You might automatically put yourself down. If you find yourself doing this, it can help to ask: "Would I talk to a friend in this way?"
Try praising yourself for the things you do or achieve no matter how small they are.
Being assertive and saying "no"can be difficult if you're not used to it. But agreeing to do things to please others can be very tiring. Try to stop and think about how you feel before agreeing to do something you don't want to. Maybe tell the person you will think about their request and get back to them.
Try not to compare yourself or your life to others, you are unique after all. Despite what you think about other peoples life, theirs isn't perfect and what you perceive about them may be different to reality.
Be kind to yourself and take time out to do something for yourself, something you enjoy.
If your self esteem difficulties hamper you in daily life and you feel you are suffering, you may make the decision to seek professional help from a counsellor.