Self-love: How to become your own cheerleader

Do you ever hear that internal voice saying, "You're not good enough," "You don't deserve this position," or "You're too much of this, not enough of that"?

Yes?

It's time to change the tune.

Self-love, or self-esteem, is the opinion we hold of ourselves. Strong self-love means having a positive view of yourself and the world, allowing you to navigate life's highs and lows with ease. On the other hand, weak self-love can lead to a critical and negative view of yourself and your life.

Where does self-esteem come from?

It usually begins in childhood. Teachers, siblings, parents, and even the media project either a positive or negative image onto us. Unfortunately, the message that we're not "good enough" often sticks with us.

What impact does low self-esteem have?

Low self-esteem can lead to avoiding social relationships, shying away from challenges, and stopping trying new things. While this might feel comfortable and protective in the short term, it can backfire in the long run by:

• Nurturing your doubts and fears

• Reinforcing avoidance as a coping strategy

• Leading to issues like anxiety and depression
  

Great, you might say. So, how do I strengthen my self-esteem? Keep reading...

7 simple ways to boost your self-esteem

1. Challenge your negative beliefs ✍️

Write down your negative beliefs and find evidence to the contrary. Example: "I'm no good; nobody believes in me" ➡️ "Léa believes in me, and Julien praised my last presentation." Identify 5 positive things about yourself and display this list visibly: on your mirror, fridge, etc.

2. Surround yourself with supportive people 🤝

Spend less time with people who devalue you, or tell them how you feel when they use hurtful words. (You also have the option to remove them from your life.)

3. Be kind to yourself 🤗

What would you say to a friend in the same situation? We tend to give better advice to others than to ourselves.

4. Recognize your strengths 👍

We're all good at something, whether it's cooking, sudoku, or being a good friend. We tend to enjoy what we're good at, so it's an excellent way to boost self-esteem.

"We can all evolve and develop new ways of seeing ourselves, regardless of age."

5. Learn to be assertive ✋

Being assertive means respecting the opinions and needs of others and asking for the same in return.

6. Start saying "no" more often ❌

People with low self-esteem tend to say yes to others, even when they don't want to. The risk is feeling overwhelmed, bitter, angry, or even depressed. Saying "no" doesn't destroy relationships. It can help to say "no" in different ways until the message gets through.

7. Challenge yourself 💪

We're all afraid of doing new things sometimes. But people with balanced self-esteem don't let these feelings stop them from trying. Taking on a challenge, even a small one, can help boost your self-esteem.

In conclusion,

You may have low self-esteem today because of your past, but we can all evolve and develop new ways of seeing ourselves, regardless of age. 

Did you make it to the end of this article? That's probably because this topic resonates with you. So, I have a question for you: if you had strong self-esteem, what would become possible in your life? What would be different?

Let's start by discussing what's standing in your way. Book a discovery call with me, and let's talk about it. No sales pitch, just a conversation. Promise :)

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Source: NHS UK.