Self Esteem

Self-Esteem

There are times when we lack confidence and do not feel good about ourselves.

However, when low self-esteem becomes a long-term problem, it is detrimental to our mental health and well-being.

What is self-esteem?

When we have healthy self-esteem, we feel positive about ourselves and life in general. It makes us better able to handle life’s ups and downs.

In addition to feeling less capable of handling life’s challenges, we also feel less able to cope with them.

What causes low self-esteem?

Often, low self-esteem begins in childhood. Positive and negative messages about ourselves are sent to us by our teachers, friends, siblings, parents, and even the media. 

The message that you are not good enough remains with you for some reason.

Maybe you found it challenging to meet other people’s expectations of you or your expectations.

Experiencing a severe illness or a bereavement can hurt one’s self-esteem.

Personality can also play a role. Others have unrealistic expectations, while others tend to think negatively.

How does low self-esteem affect us?

With low self-esteem or confidence, you may shy away from social situations, stop trying new things, and avoid challenging problems.

In the short term, avoiding challenging situations might make you feel safe.

In the long run, this can backfire as it reinforces your underlying doubts and fears. It teaches you the unhelpful rule that avoiding things is the only way to cope. 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 coping method.