Developing Self Esteem

Now because your self-esteem is a learned cognitive state, it can also be altered to better play out in your favor. For example, if you rate yourself as someone with low self-esteem, there is still a chance for you to bounce back up. 

To develop-or improve-your self-esteem, there are a few steps you can incorporate into your life: 

1. Build positive relations– First off, you should build a thriving, healthy relationship with anyone and everyone you associate with daily. Evaluate the company you hang out with and see the kind of emotions they provoke in you; if you feel small and less worthy in their gaze, then it’s time to drop your friends. 

2. Be kind to yourself– Inconsistencies happen and failure is all part of life. In no way does this mean you can beat yourself up and engage in destructive behavior. When in times of difficulty, instead of being harsh on yourself, try being kinder and practice self-empathy. 

3. See what you’re good at– When developing self-esteem, it’s important to take note of what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. When you frequently partake in activities that not only pique your interest but also boost your confidence, you’ll feel a burst of endorphins, and this will ultimately give you the boost that you need to heighten your self-esteem. 

4. Say no– In order to improve your self-esteem, you must start saying no when you feel burned out. Letting people take advantage of you and step all over you will only make you feel miserable about your situation. Instead, be assertive and say no when necessary. After all, no one can force you to do something if you’re not willing to, and everyone in the room should know that. An easy way to start saying no is by copying how others assert their stance. Observe their demeanor and try to replicate that sense of control over yourself. 

5. Set goals– Lastly, in order to really have healthy self-esteem, you need to set some goals for yourself. You cannot be living in a state of limbo where you portray no emotions and ambitions. This will only make you feel worse and will aid in lowering your confidence. Start setting higher expectations for yourself and make a relative effort to meet them. Don’t feel afraid of taking on new ventures. Instead, face them head-on and don’t waver. When you have something to strive for, you’ll ultimately feel a million times more confident and eventually have a steady self-esteem mechanism that won’t let you back down from anything or anyone. 

In the end, it all depends on how you’re able to mold the situation to your benefit. Don’t lose hope just because you you consider yourself inferior to others. Just know that any negative thoughts you may have are not necessarily true, and that we’re all created equally. 

When it comes to eliminating your negative thought processes, just take it one day at a time. You don’t have to rush into it; take it easy and be kind to yourself.