Self-esteem is defined as one’s own evaluation of their self-worth, and affects several aspects of an individual’s life from academic performances to overall happiness. Having a low self-esteem can severely impact the quality of your life.

Here are three ways to improve your perceptions of self worth.

Use Positive Reaffirmations

When it comes to improving your perception of self worth, positive reaffirmations are your best friend. These are a set of beliefs that counter the repeated negative automated thoughts (NATs) that go through your mind each day and put a dent on your self-esteem. Examples of NATs include statements such as “I’m incompetent” and “I don’t deserve happiness”, which can be detrimental to your well-being.  Here’s the thing about these negative thoughts, though: they’re learned, which means you can unlearn them.

This is where positive reaffirmations come in. These beliefs help you figure out what’s causing you to internalize the NATs in the first place, and challenge the core self-image they’ve created. The self affirmations emphasize upon what you can, will, and did accomplish, allowing you to be more open and honest with yourself.

These may include thoughts you wish to believe about yourself, and through positive reinforcement and therapeutic guidance, you’re able to accept them as true. Adopting these self-affirming beliefs help in improving your feelings of self worth.

Identify Your Accomplishments

When a person suffers from low self esteem, they may find it difficult to believe that they’re talented and capable individuals. One way to counter this self-perception is by identifying the areas you excel in, and emphasizing on those to evaluate your achievements.

For instance, you may only know how to cook three dishes but know just how to host a dinner party for twenty guests. Similarly, you may find it hard to speak in front of a huge audience but display exceptional teamwork and leadership skills when working on projects.

Figure out what you excel in, and avail opportunities that allow you to display and emphasize your skills. Remember, we all have weaknesses and strengths—you just need to uncover what are yours!

Let Go of the Past

A lot of us tend to hold on to our past a little too firmly than we need to. While acknowledging the events that may have occurred earlier is important, it’s equally crucial that you let bygones be bygones. How we engage with our past tends to reflect our feelings of self-worth, and can prevent us from staying grounded in the present circumstances.

If you frequently find yourself wishing you could go back in time to undo your “wrongs” or re-live a long past moment, then it’s likely that these episodes occupy most of your thoughts. A considerable amount of mental energy goes into stressing or obsessing over past events, to the extent that you find it difficult to stay connected to the present.

Because of the emotions attached to those events, your brain is often in a hyper vigilant state as you recall the traumatic and troubling episodes. While the neurochemicals released are intended to protect you from mental strain, their abundance causes you to feel stressed, anxious, and even depressed. This, in turn, shapes the way you think of yourself and affects your self esteem. It’s necessary to stay connected with the present instead of continuously projecting yourself into past moments, by focusing on your immediate surroundings and circumstances.

Rekha Shrivastava at Blossom Hypnosis helps devise self-esteem strategies using hypnosis for individuals wishing to improve their feelings of self worth.

Book a free consultation at our office in Pittsford or via Skype!

Sources

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3121006

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/nurturing-self-compassion/201703/8-steps-improving-your-self-esteem

https://www.inc.com/business-insider/5-ways-boost-improve-self-esteem-today.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/building-confidence-and-self-esteem