A Quick Guide To Strengthening Your Self Esteem

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Self esteem can often be misunderstood. A lot of people focus on how a low sense of self esteem can stem from the way we look, and what we may like or dislike about it. And while a sense of personal satisfaction over your beauty is a factor, that’s not all self esteem is made from. 

Indeed, self esteem is that deep sense of inner value that every person has. It’s formed from what we like about ourselves, value about who we are and what we can do, and how we think we can add meaning to our own lives and other people’s. Self esteem lives in the skills, talents, and inner knowledge we hold, and how happy we are to express those things out loud. 

And because of that, there are more ways to strengthen your self esteem than most people realize. You can build it up to a much higher level by working on any and all of the factors above, and we’re more than happy for this guide to help you do so. 

As such, if you’re looking for a little self esteem inspo right now, feel free to read on and find tips you can use in your own life. 

List All of the Skills You Hold

Even the ones you’re not so proud of! And yes, having even just a basic level of understanding of another language does count here, as does having the DIY skills to put up a shelf and literally nothing else!

Anything you’ve been able to do up until this point, pop it down in a list. You’ll soon come to find that you hold many more skills than you ever thought. Looking over this list is a good reminder that you’re ten times more capable than you really think, and the life you’ve lived thus far has been guided by the diverse set of knowledge you hold.  

Think About the Things You’ve Achieved

You’ve achieved many things in your life, even if you find it hard to recall them off the top of your head. That’s probably because you don’t think of the achievements in your life as actually being so, which is another sign of low self esteem. 

But we can change that by finally looking at what you’ve done and why that thing was so monumental. Even if you’ve worked on your physical image before now, because you were unhappy with the way you looked or a certain element of your body, you can count it as an achievement. 

You’re not here to put yourself down about the way you used to look, but you can recognize the journey you’ve been on as a change you’ve committed to. Remember the strength that was required for weight loss, and the mental resilience that was needed to swap out unhealthy foods for better alternatives. 

All of these things are achievements; they’re not just things you should sweep under the mat because you feel you should have been doing them anyway! Write them down as the personal trophies they really are, and let yourself feel positive about the path you’ve come down. 

Change the Way You Talk to Yourself

A positive level of self esteem can only ever come from you. Yes, it’s nice to have outside influences in your life who recognize you for the lovely person you really are, but that energy has to be inward as well. 

Because of that, it’s time to focus on that inner voice that lives in the back of your head. How does it speak to you, especially in times of failure? If it’s the kind of voice that berates you, tells you you should have done better, and makes you feel even worse about something, it’s a voice that needs to change. 

After all, you and that voice are one and the same person. There’s nothing that voice can do that you can’t, and you should never see it in the same way as an external critic. It’s your voice, it comes from you, and it should speak in a way that recognizes that. 

Of course, the inner voice can be shaped by the life experiences we’ve had as well. If you grew up with non-supportive, chronically critical parents, you’re likely to get the same attitude from your thoughts too. But now you’re an adult who has control over their own life, you can turn that harsh, grating sound into something much more gentle, supportive, and good for you. 

Say No and Let it Go

A lot of people with lower self esteem levels say yes all the time. They might think this is the only way the people they love are going to want to keep them around. And because of that, they end up in so many situations they don’t like, are uncomfortable with, and waste their time. 

If that’s the kind of behavior you fall into, start saying no. It’s going to feel horrible when you do so, and you’re going to hate the way you think you’re coming across, but it’s essential for your own wellbeing. 

It’s OK to tell a friend that you can’t be there for them, or come with them to something, or complete a task or run an errand for them this time round. When they’re a good friend who genuinely values you, they’ll have no trouble accepting that, and your relationship won’t change in any way at all. 

Could Your Self Esteem Do With a Boost?

Everyone, at some point in their life, has needed to boost their self esteem. If you’re reaching the point where it feels like it’s at an all time low, we’re here to try and help. 

The tips above can do wonders for your mental wellbeing, and over time, you may find that you’re feeling more confident inside. That’s the best place for confidence to be, as it ensures you always feel strong enough to face the world in a genuine and authentic way. 

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