What is Self-Esteem

What Is Self-Esteem? The term self-esteem is used to describe a person’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value. In other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself. Self-esteem is a variety of beliefs about yourself, like how you look, how you think others feel about you, your emotions, and how you act. Why Self-Esteem Is Important: Self-esteem can play a significant role in your motivation and success throughout your life. Low self-esteem may hold you back from succeeding at school, work or in your relationships because you don’t believe yourself to be capable of success. Having a healthy self-esteem can help you achieve because you navigate life with a positive, attitude and believe you can accomplish your goals. Factors That Influence Self-Esteem There are different factors that can influence self-esteem. Genetic factors that help shape overall personality can play a role. Those who consistently receive overly critical or negative assessments from caregivers, family members, and friends, for example, will likely experience problems with low self-esteem. Also, your inner thinking, age, any potential illnesses, disabilities, or physical limitations, and your job can affect your self-esteem. Signs of Healthy Self-Esteem You probably have a good sense of who you are if you exhibit the following signs: Confidence Ability to say no Positive outlook Ability to see overall strengths and weaknesses and accept them Negative experiences don’t impact overall perspective Ability to express your needs Signs of Low Self-Esteem You may need to work on how you perceive yourself if you exhibit any of these signs of poor self-esteem: Negative outlook Lack of confidence Inability to express your needs Focus on your weaknesses Excessive feelings of shame, depression, or anxiety Belief that others are better than you Trouble accepting positive feedback Intense fear of failure