Self-esteem affects how we relate to others, the image we project at work, and how we approach problems.
Last update: 25 November 2021
Self-esteem is that muscle that we should all train perfectly and at all times. More than an action, it is a mental and emotional state, one in which we feel good about ourselves. Increasing self-esteem is important for living well.
It affects the way we relate to others, the image we project at work and the way we deal with problems.
Likewise, it goes said that we are facing a fundamental dimension for our well-being. Its brilliance, the energy with which it makes us move and unfold, makes us better choose the people in our life. It also allows us to tackle any challenge, big or small, with better resources.
Self-esteem is, as it were, a state of appreciation that arises when we do things for ourselves. For example, when we invest in our psychological, emotional and spiritual development. A dynamic dimension that allows us to improve our strengths, the quality of life.
“Until you appreciate yourself, you won't value your time. As long as you don't value your time, you won't do anything with it ”.
-M. Scott Peck-
What is self-esteem?
Self-love doesn't just mean feeling good. It is not something that can be achieved by taking care of the physical appearance, through inspiring reading or by sharing quality time with loved ones or enjoying activities that we enjoy on our own.
As rewarding as these and other things may be, self-love doesn't come down to that. Above all it defines our ability to appreciate what we do and value who we are.
Dimensions that are often violated due to poor parenting, an authoritarian education or marked by indifference.
Self-love is a state that admits no doubtsmoments of weakness, nor does it put its glitter in someone else's pockets to lose its dignity.
This psychic sinew requires care and grows through actions that make us mature. For example, when we act intelligently, safeguarding our interests and values; when we begin to accept our weaknesses and strengths and have less need to explain our shortcomings.
We are in turn faced with a state that makes us feel compassion for ourselves as human beings struggling to find personal meaning.
Thanks to this, we are more focused on our purpose and our values, the same ones we hope to achieve with our efforts.
“Love yourself first and everything else will come later. You really have to love yourself to be able to do something in this world. "
-Lucille Ball-
7 steps to increase self-esteem
1. Be aware and aware
People who enjoy the most self-esteem are aware of their ideas and emotions. They know what they want and go to great lengths to get it, they don't act according to what others want for them.
While many of us agree with this approach, we don't always apply it as we should. We neglect ourselves, we ignore what bothers us, sometimes we give priority to others and all this wears down self-love. Let's avoid it, appreciate who we are and how much we are worth.
2. Act according to your needs to increase self-esteem
To love does not mean to fulfill the wishes of others, but to facilitate what they need. Self-love works on the same principle.
If we focus on what we need, we will stay away from unhealthy automatic patterns of behavior; cause problems or keep you anchored in the past.
3. Take care of yourself
One way to increase self-esteem is to take better care of your basic needs. People who love themselves feed themselves daily through healthy activities, including good nutrition, exercise, healthy sleep hygiene, intimacy, and positive social interactions.
Do not hesitate to give yourself the time you deserve, don't be afraid to prioritize yourself. Because self-love is not selfishness, it is a health exercise for one's physical, mental and emotional balance.
4. Set limits to increase self-esteem
A person who loves himself has the courage to set limits and say "no" to what concerns you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
This is often one of our unfinished business, the practice that costs us so much, but which is ultimately necessary for our well-being.
Practice it without fear or scruples. Limits help us improve the quality of our relationships and ultimately to increase self-esteem.
Setting limits is necessary if we want to increase self-esteem.
5. Protect yourself from toxic people
A person who loves himself protects himself from toxic people and he wastes no time with those who try to poison his spirit.
We may have more than one profile around us with these characteristics. We must learn, therefore, to manage them effectively, not just to flee or move away.
Self-love also means knowing how to deal with the most complex situations, knowing how to impose one's rights and needs.
6. Forgive yourself to increase self-esteem
Human beings can be very hard on themselves. Being responsible for our actions does not imply punishing ourselves eternally.
People who love themselves learn from their mistakes, accept their humanity and forgive themselves. The step we will take to shape that necessary forgiveness translates into one word: freedom.
Forgiveness is essential for increasing self-esteem.
7. Live with awareness
To accept and love yourself more, aware of what happens in your life, you have to have one purpose. If your intention is to have a meaningful and healthy life, decisions must be made in that direction.
This will allow you to be good to yourself when the goal is achieved. Obtaining what has been set is certainly useful for increasing self-esteem. For this it is necessary to establish the purpose of one's life.
8. Accept that you can't control everything
To increase self-esteem, it is also necessary to accept that we cannot control everything. There will always be external situations that will get out of hand and, if we don't accept it, we will be doomed to disagreement, frustration and unhappiness.
For example, we cannot control the actions of others, the uncertainty of the future, the economy of the society in which we live; or the opinion that others have of us.
Conclusions
If you want to increase self-esteem, it is advisable to accept that not everything can be adapted to one's expectations. And that's okay. The beauty of life, in fact, lies in its ability to surprise us. So relax a little and let yourself be surprised.
We cannot love anyone else more than we love ourselves: it is therefore necessary to learn to love each other in order to be able to offer love a more authentic and meaningful love to those around us.
