Both low and high self-esteem can create emotional and social problems for people. While high levels of self-esteem can be linked to narcissism, low levels of self-esteem can be related to social anxiety, lack of confidence and depression.
The healthiest type of self-esteem is moderate self-esteem, which is based more on valuing a person's inherent worth and less on comparing yourself to others. In this sense, if your goal is to develop more confidence in yourself, it is better to focus on having high levels of self-esteem. Don't miss out on these strategies to feel better about yourself.
Stop comparing yourself to other people
Trying to increase your confidence by measuring yourself against others is a big mistake. Our competitive culture tells us that we must be special and above average to feel good about ourselves, but we can't all be above average at the same time ...
There is always someone richer, more attractive or successful than us. When we evaluate ourselves based on external achievements, the perceptions and competencies of other people, “our sense of self-worth bounces like a ping-pong ball, going up and down step by step with our latest success or failure. Social media only exacerbates this problem, as people post their perfect moments and brilliant achievements, that we compare to our tarnished and flawed everyday life.
To build a healthy sense of trust, we must stop comparing ourselves to others. Instead of worrying about how you measure up to the people around you, think about the type of person you want to be. Set goals and take action that are consistent with your own values.
Live up to your own moral code
Self-confidence and self-esteem are based on RESPECT. If you live a life that is in line with your own principles, whatever they are, you are more likely to respect yourself, feel more secure, and even better in life. For example, a study at the University of Michigan found that students who based their self-esteem on internal sources, such as being a virtuous person or meeting moral standards, received higher grades and were less likely to use alcohol and drugs or to develop disorders. food.
To feel good about yourself, it's important to have integrity and make sure your actions match their words. For example, if eating healthy and looking your best are important values to you, you will feel better if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. When your actions don't match your words, you are much more vulnerable to self-attacks. The inner critic loves to point out these shortcomings. It is valuable to think about your basic principles and act on those beliefs when trying to build your confidence.
Do something meaningful
As human beings, we tend to feel good about ourselves when we do something meaningful, participating in activities that are bigger than ourselves and / or that help others. This is a beautiful way to build confidence and develop healthier levels of self-esteem.
When doing meaningful activities, it is important to think about what seems most meaningful to you. For some people, this may mean volunteering at a homeless shelter, tutoring children, participating in local politics, gardening with friends, and so on. This way you can also find good self-esteem.