Why Self-Esteem is Important
4-6 minute read.
Good self-esteem isn’t about being cocky or big-headed. It’s about having a healthy sense of self-worth and belief in your abilities.
It’s healthy to feel good about yourself
People often misunderstand self-esteem as arrogance. Yet, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Good self-esteem isn’t about being cocky or big-headed. It’s about having a healthy sense of self-worth and belief in your abilities.
If you’re lucky enough to have good self-esteem, you’ll likely be blessed with humility and quiet confidence. This will make it easier for you to embrace new challenges. And to acknowledge your strengths without feeling the need to boast about them.
Similarly, suppose your self-esteem is a little shaky. In that case, you might find yourself constantly looking for validation. You might also tend to avoid challenges and often feel unworthy of praise.
Struggling with self-esteem is a common experience, one that many people share. But taking steps to try and improve it is a journey worth taking. That’s where good quality therapy can help.
With the right support and mindset, it’s possible to boost your self-esteem and get more out of life.
Listen to your inner voice
There are moments when we all need to have a word with ourselves. Afterall, we all make mistakes. But it’s in these moments of self-reflection that we have the opportunity to learn and grow.
Think about the last time you messed up. What did you say to yourself? Were you kind and even-handed or overly critical?
How you talk to yourself reflects your level of self-acceptance. If you accept yourself, you’ll acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. You’ll be comfortable with who you are. And you’ll treat yourself with kindness and respect.
If you like who you are, you’ll be more forgiving of your mistakes, learn from them, and move forward.
This self-acceptance is the cornerstone of healthy self-esteem, shaping a positive narrative for your life.
Self-esteem determines:
- How well you value yourself
- Your ability to move on from mistakes
- The level of kindness you show to yourself
- How well you recognise your strengths
- Your ability to assert yourself
- Your willingness to take on new challenges
- Whether or not you believe you deserve happiness
The link between self-esteem and success
When we talk about ‘success’, we’re not referring to having the best car on the street or tonnes of money. We’re focusing more on the essential aspects of life that contribute to our well-being.
People with good self-esteem are less likely to experience mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
If you’re happy with who you are, you may have more satisfying relationships, do better at school and work, and enjoy improved overall well-being.
Is self-esteem fixed?
Some people’s self-esteem stays steady throughout their lifetime. For others, there are lots of experiences that, over time, may impact their inner narrative. These can include:
- Domestic abuse
- Discrimination
- Illness
- Disability
- Bereavement
- Money worries
- Problems at work
- Going on social media
Not everyone with low self-esteem can identify an external cause. You may have always felt this way. But it’s worth considering your situation and how it may affect your inner voice, especially if you’re considering finding a therapist. That’s because they could support you in finding ways to deal with experiences that might be affecting your inner voice.
Learning to like yourself
Building a better opinion of yourself starts with noticing your negative thoughts. Then calling them out.
So, every time you tell yourself you’re ”not good enough” or that somebody is better than you, write it down.
Then, make notes that challenge these negative opinions of yourself. Think about the things you are good at. Look for evidence that disproves the bad stuff.
Now, stick your notes on your fridge door or anywhere else where you’ll see them every day.
Remember, it’s never too late to change the way you see yourself. You have the power to rewrite your inner narrative.
Building your self-esteem can feel like a daunting task. But you don’t have to go on this journey by yourself.
Opening up to a trained professional can bring a sense of relief as you start to understand where your inner narrative comes from and how you can challenge your thought patterns.
Increasing your awareness of your inner voice and its influence on your behaviour can be truly transformative.
