Examine the essence of self-esteem: Understand the signs of healthy vs. low self-esteem, its impact on your life, and when seeking help from a mental health professional can be beneficial.
Have you ever paused to think about how you really feel about yourself? We all do it, right? We’re constantly bombarded with images and messages telling us who we should be, and it’s easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. But what’s a healthy dose of self-esteem anyway? What does it look like, and how do we know if we’re on the right track?
We’re going to explore this topic a bit further, so let’s dive in!
What Is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is basically how you feel about yourself. It’s your overall opinion of yourself – how you feel about your abilities and your worth. Now, there’s a sweet spot. You know, healthy self-esteem means you generally like yourself, feel content, and believe you deserve respect from others. On the other hand, if your self-esteem is too low, well, you might find yourself constantly doubting your worth, focusing on your flaws, and maybe even thinking you’re not good enough.
I remember a time when I was convinced I wasn’t creative enough to do my job. I spent hours comparing myself to my colleagues, until I started feeling absolutely inadequate. It was rough!
Signs of Healthy Self-Esteem
So, how do you know if you’re rocking the healthy self-esteem thing? We’ve noticed a few key indicators. People with good self-esteem tend to:
- Have confidence in their abilities.
- Believe in their value.
- Feel good about themselves most of the time.
- Don’t beat themselves up over mistakes.
- Are able to accept compliments without feeling awkward.
- Stand up for themselves and their beliefs.
- Set healthy boundaries in relationships.
These people are comfortable in their own skin, right? Like, they know they’re not perfect (who is?) but they’re okay with their imperfections. And that’s huge. Seriously.
Signs of Low Self-Esteem
Now, on the flip side, what are some signs that your self-esteem might need a little boost? Someone with low self-esteem might:
- Constantly criticize themselves.
- Focus on their flaws.
- Have trouble accepting compliments.
- Feel anxious or depressed.
- Be overly sensitive to criticism.
- Have difficulty setting boundaries.
- People-please to an unhealthy extent.
We’ve noticed these signs can be sneaky. Sometimes it’s not as obvious as saying “I hate myself.” It can manifest as always apologizing, avoiding challenges, or constantly seeking validation from others. Um, I think we’ve all been there at some point.
When to Seek Help
Here’s the deal, if low self-esteem is seriously impacting your life, it’s time to reach out. And we really mean that. If you’re consistently feeling down, struggling to function, or having thoughts of harming yourself, please, please talk to a mental health professional. There’s absolutely no shame in getting help, and it can make a world of difference.
That said, seeking professional help isn’t only for extreme cases! If you’re simply struggling to feel good about yourself, a therapist or counselor can provide tools and strategies to boost your self-esteem and improve your overall well-being.
I used to hate looking in the mirror. I’d pick apart every single flaw, and it would ruin my whole day. But after working with a therapist, I’ve learned to challenge those negative thoughts and focus on my strengths. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m so much kinder to myself now.
For years, I let other people’s opinions dictate my worth. I was a total people-pleaser, and it left me feeling empty and resentful. Therapy helped me learn to set boundaries and prioritize my own needs. It’s been incredibly empowering.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is self-esteem the same as arrogance?
Nope! Arrogance is more about putting yourself above others, while healthy self-esteem is about having a realistic and positive view of yourself without needing to put anyone else down.
Can you have too much self-esteem?
It’s rare, but yes, it’s possible to have excessively high self-esteem that borders on narcissism. This can lead to a lack of empathy and difficulty accepting criticism.
Is it selfish to prioritize my self-esteem?
Absolutely not! Taking care of your mental and emotional well-being is essential. When you feel good about yourself, you’re better equipped to be there for others.
So, after exploring the ins and outs of self-esteem, I’m reminded that it really is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, good days and bad days. But what matters most is that we keep striving to be kinder to ourselves, celebrate our strengths, and seek help when we need it. Because you know what? We all deserve to feel good about who we are.
