How do you feel about yourself? Do you see the good qualities other people see in you, or do you struggle with self-image? If you feel unhappy with the person you see in the mirror (and it’s not always about how you look), the chances are you have low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem is something that affects millions of people around the world and can have a profound impact on your mental health, as well as different areas of your life. In this blog post, we'll explore what low self-esteem looks like, how it can manifest itself, and how you can improve your self-esteem for a happier, more fulfilling life.
What is low self-esteem?
Low self-esteem is more than just occasionally feeling down about yourself. It's a pervasive sense of inadequacy, unworthiness, or self-doubt that can colour every aspect of your life. People with low self-esteem often have a negative self-image and struggle to believe in their own worth and abilities. This could be connected to your appearance, your education, your skills, your physical abilities, or your connection with others.
According to Dr. Joe Rubino, around 85% of people worldwide have issues with self-esteem. But while it may be incredibly common, that doesn’t mean it’s not serious. Low self-esteem is actually linked to a number of significant problems with mental health, as well as school dropout rates, violent behaviour, suicide, teenage pregnancy, and low academic achievement.
What causes low self-esteem?
What affects our self-esteem is different for everyone. You might have suffered with low self-worth for as long as you can remember, or how you feel about yourself could change suddenly because of an event in your life.
Lots of things can contribute to low self-esteem, including:
· Being bullied or abused
· Experiencing prejudice, discrimination, or stigma
· Losing your job or being out of work
· Physical health challenges
· Mental health issues
· Relationship problems, including separation or divorce
· Difficulties with finances
· Disliking your appearance and body image
Let’s take a look at how low self-worth can show up in the different areas of your life.
The impact of low self-esteem
1. Relationships
Low self-esteem can seriously damage relationships by causing you to doubt your own worthiness of love and respect. If you’re suffering from low self-esteem, you are far more likely to settle for an unhealthy or abusive relationship because you’ll struggle to believe that you deserve better. Alternatively, you might push away loved ones out of fear of rejection or abandonment.
2. Career
In the workplace, low self-esteem can manifest as self-doubt, perfectionism, and an overwhelming fear of failure. This can hold you back from going after promotions, applying for jobs, or setting up your own business; it can also prevent you from speaking up for yourself. Low self-esteem often goes hand-in-hand with imposter syndrome, so even if you do well at work, you might feel like you don't deserve your successes.
3. Mental Health
Low self-esteem is closely linked to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Negative self-talk and constant self-criticism can break down your mental wellbeing over time, and lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Your mental health can also suffer as a result of low self-esteem impacting other areas of your life.
4. Personal Goals
When you don't believe in yourself, it's easy to give up on your dreams and settle for mediocrity. Perhaps why people with higher self-esteem earn an average of £7,000 more per year! Low self-esteem can hold you back from pursuing your passions, taking risks, and reaching your full potential. And there’s to be none of that on my watch!
How can you improve self-esteem?
According to research from The Body Shop, 60% of people say they wish they had more respect for themselves. So now that we've explored how low self-esteem can impact the different areas of your life, let's look at how you can set about improving your own self-worth:
1. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would a friend. Try to replace any self-critical thoughts with affirmations and reminders of your strengths and accomplishments. It’ll take practice but catch yourself every time a self-deprecating thought pops into your head and ask yourself if you’re being kind.
2. Challenge negative beliefs: Often, the negative beliefs that we have about ourselves are entirely unfounded, so it can help to question the validity of these beliefs. Are they based on facts, or are they distorted perceptions? Replace them with more realistic and positive beliefs, grounded on kind things that others have said to you, or achievements in your life.
3. Set realistic goals: Break larger goals down into smaller, more achievable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small. This is really important, as acknowledging your progress will help you to build confidence and maintain momentum.
4. Surround yourself with supportive people: Negative people and toxic relationships are only going to make your self-esteem worse, so try to surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Seek out friends, family members, or support groups who validate your worth and offer constructive feedback.
5. Practice self-care: One of the best ways to improve your self-worth is by taking better care of yourself. Make the effort to look after your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Engage in activities that bring you joy, relaxation, and a sense of achievement – whether that’s exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
The future is yours to take
Low self-esteem can have a huge impact on various areas of your life, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent shadow in your day-to-day. By becoming more aware of how you talk to yourself and challenging yourself to make (sometimes difficult) changes, it really is possible to improve your self-esteem and cultivate a greater sense of self-worth and confidence.
Remember that you are worthy of love, respect, and happiness. Be kind to yourself, believe in yourself, and never hesitate to seek support when you need it. You deserve it!
DOWNLOAD MY FREE PDF STEPPING UP TO YOUR HIGHER SELF TO HELP YOU OVERCOME SELF-CRITICAL THOUGHTS HERE
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