Healthy self-esteem can influence your motivation, mental health, and overall quality of life. However, having either too high or too low self-esteem can be problematic.
Understanding your individual level of self-esteem can assist you in striking the ideal balance for you.
What is Self-esteem?
The term self-esteem is used in psychology to describe a person’s overall subjective sense of personal worth or value. In other words, self-esteem can be defined as how much you like and appreciate yourself regardless of your circumstances. Many factors influence your self-esteem, including:
- Self-confidence
- Feeling of safety
- Identity
- Feeling of belonging
- Possessing a sense of competence
Self-esteem is frequently used interchangeably with self-worth, self-regard, and self-respect.
Why Is Self-Esteem Important?
Self-esteem influences your decision-making, relationships, emotional health, and overall well-being. It also has an impact on motivation because people who have a healthy, positive self-image understand their potential and may be inspired to take on new challenges. People who have a positive self-image:
- Have a firm grasp on their abilities
- They can maintain healthy relationships with others.
- Have reasonable and appropriate expectations of oneself and one’s abilities.
- Understand and are able to express their needs.
Factors Influencing Self-Esteem
Many factors can have an impact on one’s self-esteem. The following factors may have an impact on your self-esteem:
- Age
- Disability
- Genetics
- Illness
- Physical skills
- socioeconomic status
- Pattern of thought
Racism and discrimination are also known to have a negative impact on self-esteem.
Life experiences are thought to be the most important factor, but genetic factors that help shape a person’s personality can also play a role.
Symptoms of a Healthy Self-Esteem
There are some simple ways to determine whether or not you have healthy self-esteem. Here are some obvious indicators of healthy self-esteem:
1. Loving yourself as a whole person and being aware of your individuality allows you to be YOU.
2. Being genuine. Maintaining your integrity and sticking to your beliefs.
3. Not being overly concerned with what others think.
4. Putting yourself first and prioritising your own needs over pleasing others.
5. Maintaining healthy boundaries with others while treating yourself with dignity and respect.
6. Concentrating on your life without comparing yourself to others.
7. The ability to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of others.
8. Acceptance of spending time alone.
9. Accept responsibility for your feelings and actions rather than blaming others or your circumstances.
10. Being willing to change what you don’t like and what is changeable in your life.
11. Believing that you are deserving of the best that life has to offer, such as good health, love and affection, financial abundance, and professional success.
12 Be assertive and advocate for yourself. Having the courage to say no to things you don’t want to do.
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Healthy self-esteem can help motivate you to achieve your goals because it allows you to navigate life knowing that you are capable of achieving whatever you set your mind to. Furthermore, having healthy self-esteem allows you to set appropriate boundaries in relationships and maintain a healthy relationship with yourself and others. If you notice any of these signs in your daily life, you are likely to have healthy self-esteem; if not, you need to work on it.
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