Self Esteem Articles
Too often we try to grow our self-esteem by only focussing on the positive, acknowledging our talents and strengths but carefully avoiding any perceived flaws. While this can give us peaks of confidence, it can also backfire and lead to comparing ourselves to others and criticising ourselves. So is there a better way to raise...
Do you tend to dismiss your career success as “just good luck”? Doubt your ability to do things, even when a lot of the time you end up perfectly capable? It could be you are afflicted by “impostor syndrome”, a term some psychologists use to describe an inability to recognise your own success, competence and...
Perhaps you tell yourself it makes your life easier to just say yes all the time, or that it’s just the way you are, a ‘nice’ person. But it’s actually more about lacking personal boundaries, and in the long run not knowing how to say no to others can have serious consequences for your relationships...
No. Such a powerful little word, and as toddlers we all seem to have no trouble using it. No, you can’t have my toy, and no, I don’t want to eat those vegetables. And yet somewhere along the line, many of us turn into adults who seem to have an absolute allergy to saying no....
“Give to others”. Sound like Sunday School advice? Think again. Give to others is now one of the five recommended ‘Steps to Mental Wellbeing‘ promoted by the UK’s National Health Service. “Acts such as volunteering at your local community centre can improve your mental wellbeing,” claims the NHS website. Can it be true? Is volunteering...
Low self-esteem and depression come together so often the question becomes, which one causes the other? Two psychological views developed on this matter. On the one side is the ‘scar’ model, where depression is seen as eroding self-esteem. On the other side is the ‘vulnerability’ model, which believes low self-esteem brings on depression. Recent research...
A few hours ago you were feeling competent and content. Maybe even a bit cocky, wondering if it was time for a new challenge. Suddenly, all that is out the window. You’ve lost your job and your world has changed. Why does joblessness cause such low self-esteem? Part of healthy self-esteem is a realistic appreciation...
Why do you need a strong sense of self? Life is often challenging and full of surprises. Without a strong sense of self it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Imagine that your life is a sea and you are swimming along. All fine, if the sun is out and the water is smooth. Then say the...
Is an identity crisis normal in our age of social media? Sure, many of us end up creating a bit of a false identity with our Facebook and Instagram accounts, exaggerating our good bits while glossing over the bad. But what if our inability to be authentic is more than just an online issue?...
Are you your authentic self? Being so can be a challenge, but this article offers key tips and tools to help you find and be your authentic self....