Self-esteem is basically how we view ourselves. It’s amazing how having a healthy dose of self-esteem can make life feel so much easier to handle while struggling with low self-esteem can make everything feel harsh and challenging. For many who suffer from poor self-esteem, negative thoughts are developed in childhood due to criticisms, expectations, or other messages that result in negative internal messages that stick with us. Maybe someone criticized you or had unrealistic expectations, and those negative messages stuck with you. Regardless of how you ended up here, it’s okay to feel this way and you’re not alone.

When you have a poor image of yourself, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts that reinforce a negative self-image. This can lead to unhelpful habits that only make things worse. But there is hope! Improving how you feel about yourself starts with recognizing these negative thoughts and challenging them in a proactive way. It’s about breaking free from old habits and trying new tactics to change the way you think. For example, focusing on your strengths, building positive relationships, practicing self-kindness, and learning assertiveness techniques can all help you turn things around and feel better about yourself.

The truth is, this process can be difficult and anxiety-provoking, yet the benefits of feeling better about yourself are so worth it. When you change your thoughts, you will see life in a completely different way. And when you do, the world can feel like a much more welcoming place!