Self-esteem plays an integral part in our daily lives and is a huge component of who we are. Self-esteem is also sometimes termed as a sense of self-worth, and it is analogous to other latent variables such as self-regard and self-estimation. Self-esteem is generally defined as an individual’s evaluation of his or her own value, strengths, weaknesses, capabilities and overall self-significance. The concept of worth is ascribed to how much an individual would consider that he or she is worth as a person. Whereas competence is ascribed to how successful and capable an individual would think of him or herself. Therefore it has been commonly postulated in self-esteem research that in order to feel a higher sense of self-worth, individuals need to attain their own perceived criteria of accomplishments and needs. In previous literature, researchers had summed up the definition of self-esteem as an individual’s attitude that is either disapproving and negative or approving and positive towards one’s self as an entirety.
Low self-esteem has been demonstrated to have significant correlations with a wide range of negative effects and other conditions including depression.
So in our world today where pressures can be overwhelming and stressful, how can one try to take little steps to improve low self-esteem?
- Engage in more positive self-talk
- Focus more on the things you can make changes to and not on the things that you cannot change. Remember that you cannot control everything
- Do not strive for perfectionism. It is not wrong to want to do our best in our tasks but it is not always possible for everything to turn our perfect
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
- Celebrate your achievements
- Don’t punish yourself when you make mistakes
- Remember that mistakes are learning curves for improvement
- Occupy yourself with activities that you enjoy doing
- Surround yourself with positive and supportive people
- Learn to appreciate spending time with yourself and getting to know yourself better. Self-discovery is one of the greatest journeys one can embark on. At the end of the day, you cannot defeat your own enemy without knowing him/ her.
Written by:
Dr. Felicia Neo
PhD(Clinical Psychology & Neuroscience)
PGDip(Clinical Psychology), BA(Psych & Mass Communications)
Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscientist
SACAC Counselling