When we feel good about ourselves, we are more likely to reach out to someone for support. It can be easier to ask for help when we have more self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and believe that we are worthy of support. However, many of us have highs and lows in our self-confidence. At times we doubt our skills and can feel insecure. Struggling with mental health issues, like anxiety, can cause us to feel inadequate. How can we improve our sense of our own value and build our self-esteem?
Confidence and Self-Esteem
Having high self-esteem allows us to feel positive about ourselves and the life around us. It’s not necessarily about our abilities but rather our confidence; when we are more confident, we are more resilient and better able to deal with life’s challenges. Our perception of ourselves and the value we place on ourselves are the core element of self-esteem.
For example, we may be good at a specific skill, but we may not see our actual ability because of low self-esteem. As we develop self-confidence, we may begin to recognize our true capabilities. However, for many of us, building up our self-esteem can be challenging, especially when undergoing a traumatic event or if we feel unable to live up to others’ expectations.
Ways to Build Up Self-Esteem
When we begin to build up self-esteem, it improves our overall well-being and perception of our self-worth. Additionally, we start to perform better and be more resilient to the challenges that life may throw us. Having a positive sense of self can also cause us to react more appropriately to negative feedback or constructive criticism. Improving how we respond to feedback and criticism is a skill that can build up over time.
A few ways to build up our self-esteem include:
- Accept compliments
- Believe in positive affirmations
- Identify skills and continue to develop them
- Implement self-care
- Establish a healthy routine
- Become assertive
- Set up appropriate boundaries
- Remember that nobody is perfect; everyone makes mistakes
- Encourage ourselves to establish and build positive relationships
- Reach out to others for help when we need it
- Take a break and relax
- Avoid being overly critical of ourselves
- Be kind to ourselves
- Remember that habits take time to build, and they require small steps
If you are struggling with addiction or a mental health disorder, you may also struggle with low self-esteem. However, building up your self-esteem is an essential aspect of the healing process. Part of our treatment plans at The Guest House include giving our clients the tools they need to build up their self-esteem. If you are looking to heal from what you are struggling with and want to work on building up your self-esteem, we are here to help you. Reach out to The Guest House today by calling (855) 483-7800.