8 Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem

In the modern world, we always hear about the importance of boosting our self-esteem, yet achieving this sense of self-confidence has become more challenging than ever.

We tend to base our self-worth on external factors like workplace success, relationships, and appearance. While these areas can affect how we view ourselves, we need to dig deeper to find happiness and self-belief from within.

Unfortunately, enhancing your self-esteem doesn't happen overnight. However, by implementing these changes into your life, you can steadily cultivate your inner strength and worth.

Make Positive Affirmations Part of Your Routine

Affirmations are positive statements we repeat to ourselves to foster self-esteem, boost our moods, and challenge negative thoughts. By allowing time for these encouraging declarations each morning, either in written form or in the mirror, you'll start your day on an uplifting and optimistic note.

Practicing positive affirmations can sometimes feel a little disingenuous, and this is a normal reaction for the first few days or weeks. Over time, though, you're more likely to start believing them, which is a surefire way to increase your confidence.

Recognize Your Strengths and Talents

Every one of us has strengths and weaknesses. When we're going through a rough patch or have experienced a setback, it's common for our self-esteem to take a hit. After all, none of us are immune to failure, but we can take charge of how we bounce back.

Each and every person has talents and positive qualities to bring to the table, and it's important to remind ourselves of these on good and bad days. Just because you suffer a knock-back in one aspect of your life, it doesn't mean that you should forget about all your other admirable traits and abilities.

Challenge Yourself to Try Something New

When we're lacking in confidence, we feel less motivated than ever to try something different or get out of our comfort zone. Ironically, doing exactly that can do wonders for your self-belief.

It can be as simple as picking up a new hobby or skill, like going to a weekly yoga class, baking, or gardening. Even the act of putting yourself out there in the first place will make you feel more resilient, and a new activity will help you set small, attainable goals.

Surround Yourself With People Who Make You Feel Good

The people we spend time with can significantly impact our outlook, view of ourselves, and sense of self. You may notice that you feel energized after surrounding yourself with some people, while others may leave you feeling low.

It may seem obvious, but limiting your time with those who bring you down or negatively affect your confidence is central to developing your self-esteem. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to cut people out of your life, but focusing on family and friends that bring joy to your life is essential.

Become Aware of When You Engage in Negative Self-Talk

Most of us are guilty of negative self-talk at some point or another. It's healthy to hold ourselves accountable when we've done wrong, but consistently beating yourself up can leave you feeling worthless and insecure.

There's no fast-track way to reduce the time we spend engaging with these thoughts but catching yourself in the act is the best way to start. Each time you start thinking lowly and becoming over-critical of yourself, make a mental note of what you're doing. This way, you'll begin tackling the problem by acknowledging your thoughts, without giving into them too much.

Establish Boundaries With Others

Learning to say "no" and avoid always giving into a people-pleasing mindset is no easy task, especially if you've always been inclined to base your self-worth on others. Without boundaries, it becomes easy to lose your values and desires, and your self-regard can take a beating as a result.

That's not to say that you shouldn't go the extra mile for a loved one or be there for the people in your life. It means that you don't always need to do things for others if it comes at the expense of your own needs and wants. In any relationship, there should be a healthy balance of give and take. If you feel that you give more of yourself to others than you ask for or get, it might be time to set some boundaries.

Don't Compare Yourself to Other People

It's long been said that comparison is the thief of joy, and it's hard to argue with such a statement. No matter how many great things we have going on in our lives, it's human nature to compare ourselves to others and think we lack something.

When we stop focusing on the things others have that we don't, we give ourselves more time to appreciate what we do have. Social media has undeniably made this more complicated, so it might take staying offline for a while to avoid getting caught up in what others are doing.

Make a Note of Things You're Grateful For

Just like comparison can make us feel as if we're falling short in life, so can forgetting to recognize all the wonderful things we have. At the beginning of every day or any time that suits your schedule, allocate some time to write down or think about the aspects of your life that you're grateful for.

Despite what we may think, nobody has it all, and we don't need to ignore things we'd like to change to cherish the positives. By dedicating some of your time to the things you're grateful for, you'll approach each day with a more optimistic attitude. This, in turn, will serve as a building block for your self-esteem to flourish.

Enhance Your Self-Esteem With These Simple Techniques

It may not seem like it, but even the most confident people in your life sometimes struggle with their self-esteem. 

Naturally, things that happen in our lives can knock our sense of confidence down. Yet, by building up your relationship with yourself, you can limit the effect these outside influences have on your self-assurance.