Low self-confidence and low self-esteem is something many of us suffer from in some capacity or another. For the most part however, this can be dealt with or addressed which is to say; it isn’t toxic.
At the same time, there are those of us whose struggles with low or unhealthy self esteem may be may be chronic and a lot more dire that others. If you’re someone who feels you can relate this blog might be helpful.
What Damages Self Esteem
There are a number of ways that an individual’s self-esteem may be damaged resulting in low confidence according to an article published online by Psychology Today.
Apart from what damages self-esteem on a grass root level, there is one culprit we often overlook, one so subtle that we may even mistake it for “discretion”. What we’re referring to here is negative self-talk.
How Negative Self-Talk Damages Self Esteem
Negative self-talk is the result of years and years of internalizing messages we pick up from our environment. It could be a voice in your head discouraging you from trying new things, the voice that tells you that you will look stupid or maybe even fail if you try. The voice that tells you that maybe you were just meant to be less than average!
In any case, if there’s a voice within you that is always putting you down, being paranoid and punitive or making you feel like you’re bound to fail, that’s negative self-talk right there!
It’s pretty obvious how this does no wonders for you self-esteem. The funny thing is, the more you play in to such negative self talk the less likely you are to try or to give your all when you take on tasks. The result, you do mess up and end up validating the doubt and negativity – thus the vicious cycle continues!
What Can I Do About It?
There are a few things you can do to address negative self-talk if you experience it. The first is to become mindful of it. Pay attention to yourself. Think of times when you pull back from perfectly safe and appropriate situations and even ones that could be productive only because you are scared of how they may end up for you.
Think of what you’re saying to yourself when your manager drops a new assignment on your desk and you panic because you feel it is beyond you. Catch those thoughts and then challenge them.
Notice what is going on within, understand that negative self talk is not real, rather an echo from some negative message you picked up as a youth that now sit in your subconscious. It sometimes helps to literally tell that voice to shut up!
Another thing you could do is to replace the negative or ‘can’t do’ message with the ‘can do” sort. It’ll take a bit but over time you will be able to silence that negative self talk!
Sometimes we need Help
There are times when due to our experiences, the negative self talk is too strong and too loud to silence. In such instances, it helps to look into treatment options such as hypnosis that allow you to work directly with the subconscious mind. If you’re looking for hypnosis treatment in Rochester which can help you set in place strategies to improve self esteem, feel free to connect with us now.
Remember, that self defeating voice inside your head – it isn’t you!
Sources
https://www.verywellmind.com/negative-self-talk-and-how-it-affects-us-4161304
https://www.additudemag.com/slideshows/negative-self-talk-the-self-esteem-killers-you-control/
https://www.elitedaily.com/life/negative-thoughts-yourself/981879
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