Self-Esteem

What is it and How to Give it a Boost

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself overall. It’s the opinion you have of yourself, your abilities, and (so importantly) your worth. When you have healthy self-esteem, you generally feel good about who you are and believe you deserve respect and happiness. On the other hand, low self-esteem means you often feel bad about yourself, doubt your abilities, and may think you’re not worthy of good things. Self-esteem influences how you think, feel, and act in everyday life.

8 Steps to Boost Your Self-Esteem

Improving self-esteem can make a big difference in your life—both in how you feel about yourself and in the ways you interact with the world. Self-esteem refers to the overall opinion we have of ourselves, how much we appreciate ourselves, and our belief in our own abilities. Here are some steps you can take to boost your self-esteem:

1. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself, especially when you face setbacks or failures. Treat yourself with the same kindness, concern, and support you’d show to a good friend.
2. Challenge Negative Beliefs: Pay attention to the negative thoughts you have about yourself and challenge them. Ask yourself whether you’d say what you’re thinking about yourself to someone else. If you wouldn’t, then you shouldn’t be saying it to yourself.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals that are realistic and well-defined. Celebrate small victories along the way, as this will help you build confidence in your abilities.
4. Identify Your Strengths: Spend some time recognizing the things you are good at, and find opportunities to demonstrate your abilities. Developing your strengths can help you feel more competent.
5. Surround Yourself with Positive Support: Try to spend time with people who uplift you and reflect the positive aspects about you. Positive relationships can significantly influence how you see yourself.
6. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can boost your mood and overall well-being, which in turn can improve your self-image.
7. Limit Social Media Exposure: Too much time on social media can lead to comparisons with others, which often negatively affects self-esteem. Be mindful of how social media makes you feel and take breaks when necessary.
8. Seek Professional Help: If you find that low self-esteem is affecting your day-to-day life or causing you distress, consider speaking to a therapist. Therapy can be a safe space to explore the roots of your self-esteem issues and develop strategies to overcome them.

Working on self-esteem is a journey, and it often involves changing long-held patterns of thinking and behaving. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can gradually build a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-worth. Remember that self-esteem is a journey, and it’s okay to progress at your own pace. The important thing is to be patient and compassionate with yourself as you work towards cultivating a healthier self-image.  With consistent effort and support, however, it’s possible to develop a more positive and accurate view of yourself.

Life can be complicated, messy, and rarely progresses in a straight line.  PeoplePsych is a Chicago-based psychotherapy group that treats adults seeking profound change in their lives.  We provide services that affirm the dignity, worth, and value of all individuals. We strive to create a safe non-judgemental space for clients to explore the issues that bring them. To connect with one of our therapists, please contact our Clinical Coordinator at (312) 252-5252 or intake@peoplepsych.com.