Image source

Self- esteem refers to the positive and negative feelings we have towards ourselves.  We feel happy and positive when we feel good about ourselves and we feel sad and depressed if we don’t.  

There are many factors that play a role in how we see ourselves.  We see these perfect pictures in magazines and on social media and we believe that this is the way we should look. 

Do you realize how boring life would have been if we all looked the same? 

Image source

Because we see these perfect people, we also want to look like them.  We copy the way they dress etc,  and if we don’t succeed in making an impression, we start having negative thoughts towards ourselves.  

People with a low self-esteem often feel bad about themselves, and because they think they are not good enough they are very hard on themselves.  People with a high self-esteem feel liked and appreciated. They are proud of themselves and they believe in themselves. 

Where do we get our self-esteem from?

We get our self-esteem from people around us,  our self esteem is reflected through the way they see us.  These people are mostly our parents, teachers and friends.  They see us for who we really are, and when we are at our most vulnerable.  If we have a support system we can improve our self-esteem but if a teacher or parent only sees the negative this can also break down our self-esteem.

When you have a low self-esteem it is extremely difficult to change the way you see yourself.  You believe wholeheartedly what other people say about you and there is that little voice in your head telling you that you are not good enough.  

If you have a low self-esteem it is important to focus on yourself, and do whatever you can to improve yourself.  Even though you might feel negative, it is important to think positive.  The only person that matters is you.  Other people’s views of you do not really matter.  They don’t have to live your life and they don’t have to go through your experiences.  You need to think yourself positive and stop worrying about what other people think.  They are not important. In the end you were born alone, so you will die alone. Why not enjoy life while you still have the chance and stop worrying about other people.  

Ways to improve your self-esteem:

1. Think positively and try to make a new friend.  There is always someone sitting alone somewhere, so put in effort to make friends with other people that might feel exactly the way that you do.  

2. Stop listening to what other people say.  They are not important. Learn to do new things, and do things you don’t always do.  

3. Stop hiding away and get out there.  People that break down other people often have a low self-esteem themselves, and they are breaking down others to get to their level.  No one has the right to put you down and to make you feel bad about yourself. 

4. Stop trying to be like others.  Even though it is a natural part of life to copy others, stop trying to be like someone else and just be you.  

5. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Motivate yourself all the time. 

6. Be with people who treat you like a normal human being.  Leave the negative people out of your life, especially if they continuously break down your self-esteem. 

7. Work towards a goal.  If you want to feel good about yourself you have to stand out so that others can see the change. If you are overweight, go on a diet, and if you are unfit, get fit.  Take it one day at a time.  

8. Accept the fact that you are not perfect.  No one is. As soon as you realize that you are also just a normal human being you will let go of negativity.  Everyone has and make mistakes.   

9. Stop focusing on what is wrong in your life and start focusing on what is right.  

Focus on being the best YOU that you can be.  You don’t need anyone’s approval!