5 Ways to Strengthen Your Self-Esteem

No matter how self-confident you are, there is always going to be room for improvement!  Here are five tips on how to strengthen your self-esteem.  The best part? Often times people think that to feel better about themselves they have to physically change, when all you really have to do is change the way you view yourself!  Follow these tips and positively change the way you see yourself:

1.       Focus on the positive – When you look in the mirror or think of yourself think about all the amazing things you’re capable of and how beautiful you are! Don’t think that you’d be happier if you lost 5lbs or had smaller a nose, or plumper lips, instead think that you’re healthy, strong, and talented!

2.       Identify which aspects you can realistically change – Humans are perfectly imperfect, don’t ever forget that, there is no person who is “perfect,” everyone had physical and mental ideas they wish they could change.  Instead of focusing on losing weight, focus on getting fit.  Rather than hating your hair, change up the color.  Don’t forget that perfect people are real and real people aren’t perfect!  Be a real person and allow your confidence to shine through!

3.       Set goals – I don’t think anything feels better than accomplishing something you’ve worked so hard for.  Set a goal and start working toward it, it may take a while to see the finish line, but when you reach your goal, it will all be worth it!

4.       Tell yourself to STOP with the negativity – When you hear yourself starting to be negative, just tell yourself to stop!  Don’t be hurtful toward yourself with negative thoughts and don’t forget to be positive toward others as well.  If you are kind toward others, you tend to be kinder toward yourself as well! Realize that a person is more than their outfit or hairstyle for the one day, instead appreciate their personality and uniqueness.

5.       Give yourself (and others) 3 compliments every day – When you look in the mirror, point out something really unique and beautiful about yourself, when you are kind to another person, appreciate your personality, think of all the positive things that happened during the day.  The more often you point out positive things about yourself, the easier it becomes to point out beautiful qualities of others.

**If the above tips don’t help and you or someone you know feels helpless, contact a trusted adult, teacher, guidance counselor, parent, therapist, or friend.  You may need more serious help and please seek it!  Get help before low self-esteem morphs into another disorder!

National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Hopeline Network – 1- 800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-442-HOPE (4673)

The world wouldn’t be the same without you!