Self-Esteem
Introduction
Self-esteem relates to how we think and feel about ourselves and how much value you think you have as a person. Your self-esteem may affect how you view your achievements and setbacks, so if you have low self esteem you are likely to be more critical of yourself and not acknowledge your achievements.
Possessing a healthy capacity for good self-esteem involves self-respect, self-acceptance and an appreciation of self-worth that embraces both strengths and limitations. A person with ‘good enough’ self-esteem is able to feel good, even in the face of adversity. For example, when life events seem difficult, they still value themselves as good enough. In contrast, someone with chronic low self-esteem in a similar situation may feel overwhelmed with negativity.
Common elements of low self-esteem include:
- Negative thoughts, opinion and beliefs about self
- De-valuing of self-worth
- Self doubt and condemnation
- Neediness and seeking out reassurance from others
- Self criticism
- Propensity for depressive thinking and hopelessness
- Inclination to perfectionism
- Distorted world view
Low self-esteem usually develops from early life ‘messages’ about being unacceptable in some way that hold and strengthen over time thus developing the sense of low self-worth.
Moving out of low self-esteem
Possessing a healthy self-esteem does not necessarily mean feeling happy and positive but rather that, even in times when we feel sad or low, our intrinsic belief in our worthwhile self remains in tact. Moving out of chronic low self-esteem may be helped by
- Reflecting on the reasons for the low self-esteem - thinking through early life-experiences and even having therapeutic support to work through these experiences
- Reviewing the negative beliefs and thoughts that hold low self-esteem locked in, and strive to change them to neutral or if you can positive statements/beliefs (eg ‘I am inferior’ could change to ‘I am OK as I am’)
- Monitoring self-critical, anxious thinking (perhaps keep a written log) and counter such negativity with self-acceptance and positivity to ‘practice’ healthy self-esteem beliefs
- Considering lifestyle changes to include healthy options for body, mind and spirit
- Planning to do something enjoyable that is empowering and self-nourishing and makes you feel good about yourself
- Moving away from comparing yourself to others and towards self-compassion.
Getting Support
The Wellbeing and Student Support are available for students at the University of Warwick: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/
For more information:
http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/esteem.htm
http://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch_the_case_for_emotional_hygiene#t-16618
Self-help references
The following references are available from the University Library either in hard copy, or ebooks.
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John Caunt |
Ebook | |
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365 Steps to Self-confidence : A Complete Programme for Personal Transformation - in Just a Few Minutes a Day {3Rd Ed.}, |
David Lawrence Preston |
Ebook |
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Building Self-esteem : How to Replace Self-doubt With Confidence and Well-being |
William Stewart |
Ebook |
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Developing Self-esteem : A Guide for Positive Success {Fifty-Minute Series} |
Connie D Palladino |
Ebook |
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Dryden |
Sheldon Press | |
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Burns |
Vermilion | |
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Gabor |
Sheldon | |
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Dale Carnegie |
Vermilion | |
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Lindenfield |
Thorsons | |
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Brian Roet |
Piatkus |