At its simplest definition, self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. What is your opinion about yourself right now? Is it positive or negative? When you have a negative perception of yourself, it can translate over to insecurity, doubts about yourself, and doubts about your place in life. Fortunately, we’re going to share eight great ways to improve your self-esteem below.
1- Challenge Negative Thoughts
One of the best things that you can do to help turn your self-esteem into a more positive light is to challenge any negative thoughts you have about yourself. It’s true that humans can be harder on themselves than others. Give yourself a break and challenge those negative things that your inner voice has.
2- Make a List of Your Best Qualities
Lists can be powerful things for the mind. Take some time and think about what you truly love about yourself. Physically write those attributes down on paper. When you read over these qualities, it can give you a great boost of self-esteem that you can be proud of.
3- Talk with a Therapist
Taking the time to sit down and talk about yourself can do wonders for improving your self-esteem. A trained therapist will be able to help you discover your identity, self-confidence, and feelings. They can help you zone in on the things that can be hindering your self-esteem so you can make a plan to fix them.
4- Get Regular Exercise
Time and time again, exercise has been linked to enhanced mental health. Be sure to schedule regular exercise throughout your week. Set goals for each session and hold yourself accountable for showing up.
5- Be Clear About Perfection
Your relationship with perfection can be hindering your ability to enjoy life with high self-esteem. Perfection isn’t attainable. There’s always going to be something better out there. Taking the time to recognize in your brain that perfection is a myth will help you dissipate those feelings of not being perfect.
6- Fixate on What You Can Change
One of the biggest killers of self-esteem is fixating on the things that you cannot change. You can’t change the past. Instead of getting hung up on the things that are beyond your control, accept them for what they are. Put your focus on the things in life that you can physically control.
7- Schedule You-Time
If you’re like most people, your day is extremely busy. It can be challenging to find time to do the things that you enjoy. But it’s extremely important to do so. Scheduling some solo time, even just 10 minutes a day, can help to enhance your self-esteem. Pick to do something that makes you happy, like reading, biking, or even cooking.
8- Celebrate the Little Achievements
Far too often, we only take time to celebrate the big achievements in life. While it’s great to celebrate the big ones, don’t forget about the small ones. Whether it’s nailing that presentation at work or getting your first vegetable out of your garden, taking some time to recognize and celebrate these little achievements can go a long way in boosting your self-esteem.