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In a world that is quick to remind us of our faults, and even capitalize on them, we need to find ways to strengthen our self-esteem and to guard carefully the self-esteem of others. We can so easily damage another person's self-esteem, in this dog-eat-dog world. But instead of tearing others down, we can focus on building them up. In turn, this builds up our own personal feelings of worth.
Self-esteem is the feeling of being happy with your character and abilities. Self-confidence is similar but differs in that it is rooted in what you believe you can achieve. Sometimes you may see self-confidence without self-esteem or vise versa. Self-esteem creates a feeling of inner balance and self-acceptance and a healthy self-respect. Positive self-esteem is reflected by knowing who you are without the constant need to have the approval of others.
Low self-esteem impacts relationships. It creates a dependence on others, particularly your partner, for constant reassurance and attention. The relationship ends up focusing more on the one with low esteem. It is much harder to give feedback to someone with low self-esteem and to have healthy, productive conversations. The conversations are seen as criticism and the individual becomes defensive.
What are some characteristics of good self-esteem? Someone with good self-esteem enjoys life and has enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose. They are not easily offended and are willing to admit their faults. Often they bring out the best in others because they are not threatened by others.
There are ways to improve low self-esteem. Serving others is at the top of the list. Serving others helps you get yourself out of your own personal bubble and allows you to feel good about yourself when doing something for another person. Another way to improve is to stop comparing yourself to others. This only increases your feelings of inadequacy. Find your uniqueness and enjoy it by understanding that you are a "one and only." Learn to accept failure. Making mistakes isn't bad; it is a necessary part of life. It is how you deal with the slip-up that sets you apart. Get back on your feet and learn from your mistakes.
You can change how you view yourself. It is a lot of hard work, but well worth the effort. Nothing that is worthwhile is quick and easy. Start earning your own respect. Do a little each day to increase your self-esteem.
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