CONFIDENCE

HOW TO GET OVER IT OVERCOME YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS AND MEET YOUR GOALS

Here are some additional simple techniques

that may assist you in feeling better about yourself.

Write down other positive things about yourself, such as "I'm thoughtful" or "I'm a talented singer" or "I'm someone that others trust". Also write some good things that other people say about you. Aim to have at least 5 positive things on your list and add to it regularly. Then put your list somewhere you can see it. That way, you can keep reminding yourself that you're OK. You might have low confidence now because of what happened when you were growing up, but we can grow and develop new ways of seeing ourselves at any age.

What exactly is self-esteem?

Our self-esteem is our opinion of ourselves.

We tend to feel better about ourselves and about life in general when we have healthy self- esteem.

It improves our ability to deal with life's ups and downs.

When we have low self-esteem, we tend to view ourselves and our lives in a more negative and critical light.

We also feel less capable of dealing with life's challenges.

What causes low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem often begins in childhood. Our teachers, friends, siblings, parents, and even the media send us positive and negative messages about ourselves. For some reason, the message that you are not good enough is the one that stays with you. Perhaps you found it difficult to live up to other people's expectations of you, or to your own expectations. Stress and difficult life events, such as serious illness or a bereavement, can have a negative effect on self-esteem. Personality can also play a part. Some people are just more prone to negative thinking, while others set impossibly high standards for themselves..

How does low self-esteem affect us?

If you have low self-esteem or confidence, you may hide yourself away from social situations, stop trying new things, and avoid things you find challenging. In the short term, avoiding challenging and difficult situations might make you feel safe. In the longer term, this can backfire because it reinforces your underlying doubts and fears. It teaches you the unhelpful rule that the only way to cope is by avoiding things. Living with low self-esteem can harm your mental health and lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. You may also develop unhelpful habits, such as smoking and drinking too much, as a way of coping.

Other methods for boosting self-esteem

Recognize your strengths.

We're all talented in some way, whether it's cooking, singing, solving puzzles, or simply being a good friend.

We also enjoy doing what we are good at, which can help lift our spirits.

Create positive relationships.

If you notice that certain people tend to depress you, try spending less time with them or telling them how you feel about their words or actions.

Build relationships with people who are upbeat and appreciate you.

Be gentle with yourself.

Being kind to yourself entails being gentle with yourself even when you are feeling self-critical. Consider what you would tell a friend in a similar situation.

We frequently give far better advice to others than we do to ourselves.