Issue 02: Build Your Self-Esteem

BUILD YOUR SELF- ESTEEM
by Duane Girton

Realizing your self-worth has nothing to do with the amount of money or wealth you possess, it’s about who YOU are.

We give others respect, love, and consideration but how often do we gift it to ourselves?

Your self worth or the value you place on yourself is dependent on your self-esteem. Healthy self-esteem leads us to independence, happiness, flexibility, the skills to adapt easily to any given situation, co-operate with others, and a positive outlook. Unhealthy or low self-esteem, on the other hand, leads to irrational thoughts, unhappiness, fear of anything new, rigidity, defensiveness, and a negative outlook. How we often see ourselves determines how others see us, if we are happy, smiling, and glowing with confidence then others see us as someone they are attractive and want to be part of our tribe. If we respect ourselves and portray this to others, then they will respect us too. It is hard for others to respect and love us if we don’t respect and love ourselves first.

Finding and developing our self-worth is all about developing our self- esteem, so let’s look at some characteristics of High Self-Esteem:

• We are secure in who we are and trust our abilities
• We allow ourselves to be more open and vulnerable to others.
• We are open to intimacy and love in our relationships
• We are willing to recognize and pride ourselves in our achievements
• We tend to easily forgive ourselves for our mistakes and, in turn are able to forgive others.

However you choose to begin building your self esteem, start today! Be thorough and consistent with the process and know that it may take a while. Don’t give up if you slip. Remember, you are an important and worthy human being. I hope these tips help you. If they did, pass them on and stay tuned for more in this series! |

Here’s what Low Self-Esteem looks like:

• We lack belief in ourselves and are very insecure.
• We have difficulty giving or accepting love and intimacy in relationships.
• We are never able to let our true feelings show.
• We never recognize or praise ourselves for any accomplishment.
• We find it hard to forgive ourselves or others.
• and the biggest one of all is we resist change at every turn, and are unwilling to learn new things.

So what are some of the small things we could do to build our self-esteem?

• There are many ways that we can boost our self-esteem and create a more positive and healthy outlook about ourselves.
• Let’s look at a few ways we could develop and build our self-esteem.
• Don’t take other peoples criticism to heart, instead just HEAR what they are saying and see how it will help you become better.
• Carve out time for yourself every day.
• Even just 15 minutes, to meditate, look inside yourself and realize all of your good points and reposition areas for development into a more positive light.
• Give yourself a high five for every small success.
• Do something every day that you enjoy. Go for a run, the gym, or a walk in the sunshine or soak in a bubble bath, or sing in the shower.
• Never feel guilty about doing what you enjoy, as long as you’re not hurting others.
• Talk positively to yourself. Repeat affirmations to rid yourself of negative thoughts and feelings.
• If you are going through a rough time consider joining a support group.