Strategies to build self-esteem

Self-esteem and self-confidence are the pillars of mental well-being. They influence the way we see the world and interact with it. Loving yourself and believing in your abilities are therefore crucial steps in achieving psychological and emotional balance.

Self-confidence and self-esteem are two closely related but distinct concepts, essential to our psychological well-being and personal growth. In this article, we talk to you about self-esteem. The article on self-confidence can be found here.

What is self-esteem?

Personal worth encompasses a more comprehensive and stable appreciation of oneself. Indeed, it reflects the value we attribute to ourselves, regardless of our specific skills or achievements. Personal worth includes our perception of our intrinsic value. It contributes to how we treat and respect ourselves in various aspects of our lives. It is influenced by internal factors, such as our inner dialogue and the way we interpret our life experiences, but also by external influences, such as the reactions and validations of others.

Having strong personal worth therefore means feeling worthy and valuable even when facing failure or criticism.

How to recognize low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem is often linked to a negative perception of oneself. Sufferers may constantly feel unworthy, inadequate, or inferior. These feelings may result from a tendency to harshly criticize themselves, minimize or ignore their accomplishments, and magnify their mistakes. Emotionally, this can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, depression, or anxiety. Socially, these people may avoid situations that require putting themselves forward, fearing judgment or failure, which can lead to isolation and a lack of social engagement.

Practical strategies to strengthen your self-esteem

  • Self-affirmation
    • Learn to express your thoughts and feelings honestly and respectfully towards yourself and others.
    • “I think” technique

This technique consists of replacing sentences beginning with “you” with sentences beginning with “I think that” or “I feel”. For example, instead of saying “You never listen to me”, say “I think I don’t feel heard when…”. This encourages assertive communication without pointing fingers, thus promoting better self-esteem.

  • Recognition of strengths and weaknesses
    • Identifying your skills and accepting your limits is fundamental to developing a positive self-image.
    • The exercise of the 5 qualities

Encourage yourself to write down five of your qualities and how they manifest themselves in your daily life. Whether it’s your creativity, your listening skills or your determination, recognizing these strengths and seeing them in action can greatly increase your self-esteem.

  • Positive thinking
    • Replacing negative thoughts about yourself with positive, motivating affirmations contributes to a better state of mind.
    • The positive thoughts journal

Keep a journal where you write down at least three positive thoughts or events from your day. This can help reprogram the brain to detect the positive more easily, reducing the tendency to focus on the negative.

  • Self-compassion and self-acceptance
    • Treating yourself with kindness, as you would a close friend, allows you to better accept yourself and reduce harshness towards yourself.
    • The Letter to Self

Write a letter to yourself during a difficult time as you would to a dear friend. This exercise allows you to step back and apply self-compassion by recognizing and accepting your own needs and limits.

Implementing these strategies requires time and perseverance. Every small step toward self-acceptance and affirmation builds the foundation for lasting self-esteem.