Self-Esteem
I’m sure you have heard the word before, “Self-Esteem.” Just by dissecting the two words apart it’s self explanatory. Self esteem is the regard for which we hold ourselves. It’s how much we believe ourselves to be worth. The tricky part about the valuation of one’s worth is that it is a value based solely on self perception. Only you can determine your worth. Those with high self-esteem may know this (if not consciously, subconsciously). However, those with low self esteem allow external forces and opinions to determine how much respect they believe they deserve. Self esteem is an issue most people struggle with at least some point in their lives (who hasn’t been a teenager?), but it is not something that is constant. You are able to change the way you view yourself and eventually build a better sense of self worth.
But why is high self esteem so important?
Higher Self Esteem Is linked To Resilience.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from the face of adversity. The whole “I am rubber and you are glue” childhood chant is about resilience. We want to be rubber. Those with low self-esteem are not able to overcome challenges as much simply because they do not believe it possible. Those with low self-esteem create so much negative self talk that failure, rather than success, makes sense. High self esteem doesn’t mean you blindly believe you can do no wrong or are free of flaws- those with high self esteem are able to appreciate their positive qualities, acknowledge their negative ones, and overall accept themselves and live happy lives. Success is more attainable with a positive sense of self.
Higher Self Esteem Leads To Improved Well-Being.
This is intuitive- your sense of self is tied to how good you feel. You can make yourself feel better by recognizing your true *amazing* self worth — this can be by improved motivation, self-care, or whatever you need to make yourself believe you deserve better than to constantly beat yourself up over being yourself. Think of low self-esteem like being in a boxing rink with yourself, you can constantly throw punches at yourself in an effort to tear yourself down, or you could call a truce, shake hands, and move forward, metaphorical bruises and broken bones averted.
Higher Self Esteem Improves Relationships
Some studies have shown that those with higher self esteem, have improved empathy and have a desire to help others- what many refer to as “prosocial behavior.” Those with high self esteem tends to be more understanding, supportive, and caring towards their relationships.
We’ve just reviewed three ways that high self esteem can impact your life, but there are many more down stream effects that high self esteem can lead to. Higher self esteem can be achieved by working with a therapist or life coach to build your self perception, or if there is an underlying depression that is contributing to the low self-talk, I would recommend consulting a psychiatrist. It takes time, but it is possible to afford yourself the self love you deserve.
https://www.mentalhelp.net/self-esteem/why-its-important/
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-prosocial-behavior-2795479
https://namimc.org/self-esteem-important-mental-health/
