Importance of Self-Esteem
Why is self-esteem important?
Self-esteem is important because it is foundational for overall well-being, influencing everything from mental and emotional health to how you form relationships and achieve your goals. A healthy sense of self-worth increases motivation, enhances your ability to cope with challenges through greater resilience, and allows for more authentic and secure relationships built on strong boundaries and self-assurance.
What can damage a person's self-esteem?
Abuse
Trauma
Bullying
Harassment
Objectification
Insults/Belittling Comments
Do positive affirmations help low self-esteem?
Tough question! They can, but you have to believe the affirmation in order for it to make a difference. Maybe try neutral affirmations instead, as those would be more believable if your self-esteem is in the toilet. For instance:
- I am okay
- I am a work in progress
- I improve a little each day
- I am getting better
- I am good enough
What does self-compassion have to do with self-esteem?
Self compassion is about treating yourself well, even re-parenting yourself if necessary. When we treat ourselves well, we feel better about ourselves.
What does mindfulness have to do with self-esteem?
It may not have much to do with self-esteem, unless you are focused on the regrets of your past or fears of your future, which can both lower your self-esteem. Reminder - mindfulness is all about the present. So be present & feel better about you!
What role do boundaries play in self-esteem?
Having healthy self-esteem means you have boundaries, stand up for yourself, don't people please, and can & will say no when needed. So boundaries play a huge role in self-esteem, self-respect, and self-compassion.
Unless you said nothing, you're right! Time to think about how to heal those hurts!
Can exercise help build self-esteem?
Yes! Moving the body and working out provides you with endorphins, which make you feel better in general. However, if you haven't exercised in a while, you may initially feel low as you can't do what you used to be able to do, but keep it up add a little extra at a time and before you know it, you'll be feeling better!
How do we practice self-compassion?
Showing yourself kindness, grace, and patience!
Treating & talking to yourself the way you would a friend.
Self-care - taking care of yourself is part of showing yourself compassion!
When we are being mindful, are we judging ourselves?
Not if we're doing it right! Mindfulness is not about judgement, but acceptance. Accepting ourselves, flaws and all, can greatly increase our self-esteem.
Healthy self-esteem (liking yourself, even loving yourself, having boundaries and enjoying your own company).
Grandiose self-esteem ("I'm better than everyone else at everything!"
What are negative core beliefs?
Negative core beliefs are deeply ingrained, automatic assumptions about oneself, others, or the world that are often irrational and harmful, such as "I am worthless" or "The world is a dangerous place". These beliefs develop from early experiences and can significantly impact thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading to issues like low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in relationships. They often manifest as absolute statements and fall into categories like helplessness, unlovability, or worthlessness.
Can accomplishments effect self-esteem?
Yup! Accomplishments can make us feel great! But, accomplishments are NOT the only way to increase self-esteem. Otherwise we'd have no billionaires and people would be happy with what they have, even just one million dollars!
What is self-compassion?
Self-compassion is the practice of treating yourself with the same kindness, care, and understanding you would offer a friend, especially during difficult times. Pioneered by psychologist Kristin Neff, it involves three core components: self-kindness (rather than self-judgment), common humanity (recognizing that suffering is a shared human experience, not isolation), and mindfulness (observing your feelings without over-identifying with them). Practicing self-compassion can reduce anxiety and depression, foster resilience, and improve overall well-being by fostering a stable and supportive internal relationship with yourself.
When you practice mindfulness & a not very nice thought comes up, do you:
A) Get up and run into traffic
B) Start beating yourself with a stick
C) Accept the thought you had as a transient, temporary thing, and move on with your life
C) Accept the thought you had as a transient, temporary thing, and move on with your life!
Whose lives have been made better by your presence in them?
All answers correct! :)
What is negative self-talk?
Negative self-talk is an inner voice that unfairly criticizes and belittles you, often leading to feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression. It can manifest as common patterns like filtering, personalizing, and catastrophizing, and can be challenging to break but can be managed through strategies like mindfulness, self-compassion, and challenging negative thought patterns.
True or False:
I've done so many terrible things, I'm not worthy of healthy self-esteem.
FALSE!
EVERYONE IS WORTHY OF HEALTHY SELF-ESTEEM!
Yes, even you! Keep your head up!
Can self-compassion change how we relate to others?
Yes! When you practice self-compassion your kindness towards yourself & expectations of yourself allows you to be more kind, patient, and understanding of the perceived faults & flaws of others.
What if your present is absolutely terrible, and it hurts to think of it at all, let alone try to be mindful. What do you do then?
Not every second of everyday is the best time to practice mindfulness, but if your present is peaceful or at least not horrific or causing you intense distress, give it a try! Maybe that mindfulness will allow you to come up with solutions to your problem.
Does gratitude have anything to do with self-esteem?
It can! If we look around ourselves and realize how much we have as opposed to how much we lack, we can feel much better about ourselves and our lives.
What is it that is keeping YOUR self-esteem low?
All answers correct, even "Nothing, I'm FABULOUS!".
Can I improve my self-esteem by getting validated by others?
Sure, but remember, how you feel about you is more important than what others think about you. Also, you can't control or even know 100% what others think about you, so be yourself, say no when you want/need to, and stand up for yourself! You'd be surprised how much more liked and respected you'll likely be after doing so!
What can YOU do to practice self-compassion today?
All answers okay, except using or drinking or harming yourself or others. Sorry, not sorry!
I hate meditating and everything to do with it, how can I be mindful?
Although a lot of guided meditations practice mindfulness, you can practice mindfulness on your own without guidance or meditation just by being present, noticing the world around you or your inner world, and focusing on your breathing to stay grounded.