Self-esteem is how you perceive yourself, and it’s a very cognitive process that can be detrimental to being your true self. Self-esteem is the way we understand or evaluate our worth and is the ultimate belief we place on ourselves. People with high self-esteem tend to be more comfortable with their true selves and demonstrate a lot more integrity. Our fear of being judged often lead us to behave in a way that is not aligned with what our heart wants because we want to feel accepted and loved by others. Here are a few ways you can improve your self-esteem.
- Appreciate Yourself: Appreciating yourself means that you are okay with who you are and enjoy being by yourself. Have the goal of becoming your best friend. Take some time to hang out with yourself once in a while. It will help you build a level of comfort in being by yourself. Add some self-care during those moments; it will help you increase self-respect.
- Be Proud of Your Accomplishments: We’ve all accomplished something in our life. It could be as simple as completing your elementary school or getting that job you applied for. Whatever it is, take the time to list the things you’ve accomplished in your life, even if it is as simple as making your bed!
- Recognize Your Skills: Every one of us is good at something. If it’s hard for you to identify those skills, ask someone around you to help list a few abilities that you have. It can be hard skills like carpentry, drawing, or cooking. It could also be a soft skill like listening, compassion, or empathy.
- Learn to Love Your Body: Learning to love our bodies is probably one of the most significant accomplishments we can make in our life. Some studies show that 40% of men and over 90% of women are unhappy with their bodies. That is almost unreal! Loving your body is about self-talk but also about self-respect. Be your best friend and treat your body the same way you would treat your child or best friend. Be kind, compassionate, and supportive. Compassion toward ourselves will often lead to better self-esteem and higher self-confidence. So equip yourself with patience and kindness toward yourself and try to be more appreciative of who you are. You would be amazed at how life can change with a little self-love.
