People define self-esteem in many ways, however one of the most common ways to describe self-esteem is a person’s view of him or herself. Self-esteem is based on how we view ourselves in comparison to the world around us, with respect to our perception of personal qualities, characteristics, and abilities. A common misconception is that self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence are interchangeable ways to describe the same thing; self-worth describes one’s perception of personal value, and self-confidence describes one’s belief in personal capabilities or knowledge that one has the skills to maneuver through certain situations. However, self-esteem can impact self-worth and self-confidence, both in negative and positive
ways.

Having high or positive self-esteem can benefit your overall well-being, your relationships with others, and how you view the world around you. So what impact do you think low self-esteem can have? People who struggle with low self-esteem have a difficult time seeing themselves in a positive light. Their low self-esteem may also negatively impact how they value themselves (self-worth) and their ability or knowledge to tackle whatever life throws their way (self-confidence). Low self-esteem is perpetuated by our ability to form negative beliefs about ourselves, and those negative beliefs become what are commonly referred to as ‘core beliefs’; these are beliefs about ourselves that we believe to be true and unchanging (i.e. “I am no good”, “I am worthless”).

Who can help you change these core beliefs and what can be done to increase your self-esteem? At Essentially You Counseling and Wellness Services, there are many therapists who work in helping clients develop more positive views of self through different treatment approaches. Let’s learn ways to be kinder to yourself through positive self-talk, acting as if you are confident to help challenge deep rooted negative beliefs, and developing new, rational beliefs of yourself.