Blog Posts

Hey friends, welcome back to the blog.  Today I want to continue from my last post about building self-worth to the topic of self esteem and building self esteem.  Although they are similar, they have some distinct concepts.  Self-esteem is a measure of how much you value your abilities, accomplishments, and overall competence. It is often influenced by external factors like performance, feedback, and social comparisons.  Self-worth can be a concept of self-esteem, as well as other concepts like self-confidence and self-respect.  Self esteem is important because it can help act as a buffer to life’s setbacks and challenges.  High self esteem can allow you to navigate life’s challenges, set healthy boundaries, pursue your goals, form healthy relationships, and make positive decisions.  

Key aspects of self-esteem:

• Self-worth: Feeling valuable and deserving of good things in life.
• Self-confidence: Believing in your abilities and feeling capable.
• Self-respect: Treating yourself with kindness, love, and consideration.
• Self-acceptance: Embracing your strengths and weaknesses. 

Self-esteem significantly impacts various aspects of life, including mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and behave, influencing their decision-making, motivation, and ability to cope with challenges. Low self-esteem is linked to negative outcomes like anxiety, depression, mood and suicidal ideation, and substance abuse.  Low self-esteem often stems from a combination of factors, with childhood experiences, negative self-talk, and mental health conditions playing significant roles. Trauma, difficult life events, and even persistent negative self-perception can contribute to a diminished sense of self-worth. 

What low self-esteem can look like:

• Doubting your abilities and feeling less worthy.
• Holding deep-seated negative beliefs about yourself.
• Feeling unmotivated and avoiding challenges.
• Having difficulty in relationships and expressing your needs.

Developing self-esteem involves building a positive view of oneself, which includes recognizing strengths, practicing self-compassion, and challenging negative thoughts. This process involves both internal work, like positive self-talk, and external actions, such as setting and achieving goals and engaging in activities that bring joy. 

Developing healthy self-esteem:

• Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. 
• Challenge negative thoughts: Recognize and reframe negative thoughts about yourself. 
• Celebrate your strengths: Focus on your positive qualities and accomplishments. 
• Set achievable goals: Experience the satisfaction of accomplishing tasks and building confidence. 
• Seek support when needed: Don’t hesitate to talk to a therapist or counselor if you’re struggling with low self-esteem. 

High self-esteem brings numerous benefits, including improved mental and physical health, better relationships, and increased resilience. Individuals with high self-esteem tend to experience less anxiety and depression, handle stress more effectively, and are more likely to pursue personal goals with confidence. They also tend to form healthier relationships and are more assertive in expressing their needs. 

Thanks for reading, until next time.

Emilie Barragan, LCSW

Therapeuo Health – “Tackling physical and emotional pain”