Self-esteem is the foundation of our emotional and mental well-being. It’s how we feel about ourselves, and it shapes our attitudes towards life. However, there are times when our self-esteem takes a hit, whether it’s because of negative feedback from others, self-doubt, or past experiences. It’s during those times that we need to take a look in the mirror and proclaim: Mirror, mirror on the wall, i’m enough, flaws and all!
If you’re struggling with low self-esteem, you’re not alone. In this blog post, we share some proven strategies that will help you boost your self-esteem.
From celebrating your achievements to setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-acceptance to prioritizing physical health and wellness. We’ve got you covered with a comprehensive list of tips that will help you improve your self-esteem and live your best life.
Contents
- 1 Proven Strategies for Boosting Self-Esteem
- 2 1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
- 3 2. Consciously Choose to Read, Watch, and Listen Things With Positive Messaging
- 4 3. Make Your “Proud-List”
- 5 4. Practice Self-Acceptance
- 6 5. Set Healthy Boundaries
- 7 6. Read Self-Esteem Poems
- 8 7. Cut Out Negative People
- 9 8. Identify and Reshape Negative Beliefs
- 10 9. Foster Relationships With Uplifting People
- 11 10. Give Up People Pleasing
- 12 11. Prioritize Physical Health and Wellness
- 13 12. Try Self-Esteem Meditation
- 14 13. Take on Challenges and Celebrate Wins
- 15 14. Embrace Your Own Imperfection
- 16 15. Hypnosis for Self-Esteem
- 17 16. Self-Esteem Therapy
- 18 Conclusion
Proven Strategies for Boosting Self-Esteem
You’re the CEO of your self-worth. Don’t undervalue yourself, but build value through these practical actions that will help you boost your self-esteem.
1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
“[The activation of dopamine] can also come from comparing yourself to others, especially highly valued others, and seeing that you agree with them, they agree with you, or that you’re similar to them. It activates parts of the brain not unlike the way a drug does, which may be why adolescents become truly addicted to social media.”
– Mitch Prinstein, psychologist at the University of North Carolina, in The Comparison Trap.
Shift your focus from comparing yourself to others and instead concentrate on your own progress and growth. Embrace your uniqueness and appreciate the journey you’re on, recognizing that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.
It’s important to develop a healthy sense of self-worth and not let negative thinking take over. Remember, comparing yourself to others is not the only way to measure your worth. Each person has their own personal life and day-to-day experiences.
By practicing kindness towards yourself and accepting that different people have different paths, you can cultivate a good self-esteem.
2. Consciously Choose to Read, Watch, and Listen Things With Positive Messaging
Surround yourself with positive things and consciously choose content that boosts your self-esteem. Filter out negative media and content that brings you down. Seek out books, podcasts, and movies that promote positivity and inspire you.
Remember, the media you consume plays a significant role in shaping your thoughts and beliefs. Take control of what you expose yourself to and make a conscious effort to prioritize positivity in your day-to-day life.
3. Make Your “Proud-List”
Reflecting on your personal growth and accomplishments is a great way to boost your sense of self-worth. Take the time to write down your strengths and positive qualities, acknowledging the resilience you’ve shown in overcoming challenges. Remember to include both big and small achievements, as they all contribute to your journey.
By reviewing this list regularly, you can reinforce your healthy self-esteem and shift away from negative thinking.
Cultivating a strong sense of self by recognizing your accomplishments is an important step in building good self-esteem.
4. Practice Self-Acceptance
Embracing your flaws and accepting yourself as you are is a crucial step towards developing a healthy self-esteem. It’s important to let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations, as they can lead to negative thinking and poor self-esteem. Instead, focus on your progress and the positive things in your life.
Cultivate a positive body image and practice self-care to nurture your sense of self-worth. Remember, practicing self-acceptance is a journey that looks different for different people, but it is a great way to build a healthier and happier relationship with yourself.
5. Set Healthy Boundaries
Setting healthy boundaries is an essential aspect of nurturing a healthy self-esteem. By identifying your personal limits and values, you gain a clearer understanding of what is acceptable to you.
Communicating assertively and expressing your needs allows you to establish boundaries that protect your well-being. Guard your garden: boundaries keep the weeds out.
Saying no when necessary is not selfish; it is prioritizing your own mental and emotional health. Setting healthy boundaries in your personal life and day-to-day interactions with different people is a great way to develop a strong sense of self-worth.
6. Read Self-Esteem Poems
Feeling down and struggling with negative thoughts? Reading self-esteem poems can be a powerful way to find inspiration, motivation, and a different perspective.
These poems have the ability to shift your mindset from self-doubt to positive thinking. They remind you of the beauty within yourself and encourage a sense of self-worth.
By immersing yourself in the words of others, you can gain new insights and a greater appreciation for your own uniqueness. So why not give it a try? Grab a collection of self-esteem poems and let their uplifting verses guide you towards a healthier, more positive mindset.
7. Cut Out Negative People
Cutting out negative people from your life is crucial for nurturing a healthy self-esteem. Start by distancing yourself from toxic relationships, minimizing contact with individuals who bring you down. Surrounding yourself with positive things and new experiences can help build kindness and a good sense of self-worth.
Negative thinking thrives in the presence of negativity, so removing negative influences is the only way to break free from it.
Remember, your personal life and day-to-day interactions can greatly impact your self-esteem, so choose to surround yourself with different people who uplift and support you.
8. Identify and Reshape Negative Beliefs
Recognizing and challenging negative beliefs is a crucial step in improving your self-esteem. By being aware of these harmful thoughts, you can begin to replace them with positive affirmations and empowering statements.
Reframing negative thoughts into more realistic and positive ones can help shift your mindset towards a healthier self-esteem. Negative thinking is not the only way to view yourself.
9. Foster Relationships With Uplifting People
Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive individuals who uplift and encourage you is crucial for fostering healthy self-esteem. Seek out social activities and groups that align with your interests and values, as these are great ways to connect with like-minded people.
Building relationships with uplifting individuals can help counteract negative thinking and boost your sense of self-worth. Having a strong support system in your personal life can be instrumental in building good self-esteem and overall well-being.
10. Give Up People Pleasing
It’s important to prioritize your own needs and well-being, instead of constantly trying to please others.
Shifting your focus from seeking external validation to internal validation allows you to build a stronger sense of self-worth. Value your own opinion and trust your own judgment. Embracing assertiveness and advocating for yourself is a great way to foster good self-esteem. Cultivate a sense of empowerment and live a more fulfilling life.
11. Prioritize Physical Health and Wellness
Engaging in regular physical activities that promote overall well-being is a key step in prioritizing physical health and wellness. Physical exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and self-confidence. Nourishing your body with nutritious food not only supports physical health but also contributes to mental well-being.
12. Try Self-Esteem Meditation
Try incorporating self-esteem meditation into your daily routine. This practice can help cultivate a positive mindset and reduce negative self-talk. By engaging in self-esteem meditation, you can enhance your self-awareness and develop a strong sense of self-esteem.
Regularly dedicating time to this practice can have a significant impact on your overall mental health and well-being.
13. Take on Challenges and Celebrate Wins
Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new experiences and challenges is a great way to build a healthy self-esteem.
Set realistic goals and celebrate your achievements along the way. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks; instead, see them as learning opportunities and persevere through difficult situations.
Take time to recognize and appreciate your progress, fostering a positive and confident mindset.
Embrace the journey of personal growth and celebrate every win, no matter how big or small.
14. Embrace Your Own Imperfection
Embrace the beauty of imperfection and acknowledge that no one is flawless. Practice self-compassion and be gentle with yourself when faced with challenges. Embraces your own quirks.
Just like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which highlights imperfections to enhance overall beauty, embracing your flaws can improve your sense of self-worth. Life is too short to strive for perfection; instead, make room for mistakes and learn from them.
Embrace your imperfections and discover the freedom and growth that come with accepting yourself as you are.
15. Hypnosis for Self-Esteem
Reprogramming negative beliefs and promoting positive self-talk is possible with hypnosis. By accessing your subconscious mind, you can make lasting changes to enhance your self-image, self-compassion, and overall self-esteem. Hypnotherapy offers a personalized approach to address poor self-esteem issues.
Consulting a trained hypnotherapist can provide tailored self-esteem sessions that help you overcome negative thinking and cultivate a healthy sense of self-worth.
Through hypnosis, you can take the first step towards transforming your day-to-day life, fostering kindness and embracing new and positive ways of thinking.
16. Self-Esteem Therapy
Seeking professional help from a mental health expert is a vital step towards building a healthy sense of self-esteem. Therapy provides you with the tools and strategies needed to address and overcome self-esteem issues.
By working closely with a therapist, you can develop personalized goals and techniques that cater to your unique needs and circumstances. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey towards good self-esteem is different.
Therapy offers a safe space for exploration and growth, allowing you to challenge negative thinking patterns and build a strong sense of self-worth.
Conclusion
In the grand tapestry of life, your self-esteem is the thread that holds everything together. It influences your choices, your relationships, and most importantly, your inner dialogue. While the journey to bolstering your self-esteem is uniquely yours, the strategies outlined here serve as your compass, guiding you through the labyrinth of self-doubt towards a sanctuary of self-worth.
But remember, reading about change is not the same as making it happen. So, here’s your call to action: Pick one strategy from this article that resonates with you the most and implement it today. Not tomorrow, not next week—today. Whether it’s setting a boundary, embracing your imperfections, or simply saying no, take that step. Because the most profound transformations often start with a single, deliberate action.
Your self-esteem is not a static entity; it’s a dynamic and evolving aspect of who you are. And just like a garden, it requires regular tending. So, go ahead, be the gardener of your own soul. Cultivate self-worth, weed out negativity, and watch as you bloom into the person you were always meant to be.
Sources:
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- Don, B. P., Girme, Y. U., & Hammond, M. D. (2019). Low Self-Esteem Predicts Indirect Support Seeking and Its Relationship Consequences in Intimate Relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45(7), 1028–1041.
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- Tamanaifar, Mohammad Reza, Fariborz Sedighi Arfai, and Fatemeh Salami Mohammad Abadi. “The relationship of emotional intelligence, self concept and self esteem to academic achivenment.” Quarterly journal of research and planning in higher education 16.2 (2023): 99-113.
- Depression and low mood (young people) (Healthtalk)
- Positive Reframing and Examining the Evidence (Harvard)