A way of thinking, feeling and acting which demonstrates that you accept, respect and believe in yourself.When you accept yourself, you can live comfortably with both your strengths and shortcomings without undue self-criticism.
When you respect yourself, you acknowledge your own dignity and value as a unique human being.
When you believe in yourself, you feel you deserve to have a good life and you are confident that you can fulfill your deepest personal needs, aspirations and goals.
A fundamental truth about self-esteem is that it must come from within. Low self-esteem creates a feeling of emptiness which you may try to fill by latching onto something external that provides temporary satisfaction. If this process becomes desperate, repetitive or automatic, it becomes an addiction (to someone or something outside yourself that you feel you need to provide satisfaction or relief).
When the basis for your self-worth is internal, it is much more lasting and stable.
Self-esteem is built gradually, with a willingness to work on a number of areas in your life.
Crucial to your self-esteem is your ability to take care of yourself. This means recognizing your basic needs and then doing what is necessary to meet them.
Other important ways to build your self-esteem include:
- Cultivating a relationship with your inner self
- Finding support and intimacy in your life
- Learning to develop healthy boundaries and assertiveness
- Having a sense of physical well-being and a
- positive body image
- Learning to identify and express the full range of
- human emotion
- Using positive self-talk and affirmations
- Working on the accomplishment of personal goals
