How Do You See Yourself?

Your self-esteem is determined by how you view yourself and the value you place on yourself. If you’re proud of your accomplishments, value your intelligence, and believe in your own actions, you have a good sense of self-esteem. However, if you’re not happy with aspects of yourself and want to feel better, here are some ways to help raise your self-esteem.

Listen to Yourself

We all have an internal voice that carries on a mental dialogue throughout the day. What are you saying to yourself? Do you treat yourself with respect or does your internal voice put you down or call you names?Practice listening to the things you say mentally about yourself and replace any negative thoughts with positive comments. This is an important first step toward a more positive self-image.

Value Your Accomplishments

You may not be famous or a prizewinner, but your accomplishments have value to you or others. Make a list of them, no matter how small they might seem. By recognizing them, you can begin to value yourself and understand that you are important and worthy.

Say What You Mean

You may already respect what other people have to say, but you also have a right to be heard. Learn to be assertive. Say what you mean and practice clear communication.

Spend Time with Good Friends

People you surround yourself with are often mirrors of how you feel about yourself. Don’t socialize with people who put you down. Choose your friends wisely. Spend time with the people who respect and value you and listen to what they say about you.

Nobody’s Perfect

Don’t be hard on yourself. Aim for accomplishment rather than perfection. Don’t assume that others are critical of you and try not to criticize yourself or others. Be tolerant and recognize that mistakes are common and normal. Don’t dwell on them.