7 Causes of Low Self-Esteem and How To Overcome Them
Low self-esteem is generally having a low opinion of yourself. Everyone lacks confidence at times but people with low self-esteem are unhappy or unsatisfied with their lives most of the time. It takes deliberate attention and daily practice to boost low self-esteem.
Here are some causes and how to deal with them :
1. Childhood Trauma
There are some things that may have happened in your life as a kid. They affected how you think about yourself, react to things and how you present yourself to people. Identify them and forgive. As an adult, you might still not understand why they happened and why you. That's not important right now. Growing yourself and being confident is what matters. Let go and focus on the future.
2. Poor Academic Performance
Poor academic performance makes you feel unable. It prevents you from airing your views in fear of humiliating yourself. Work hard, get a private tutor and do extra work on subjects that you're weak. Set goals that you can achieve. Don't work towards being the best but towards improving. We are each gifted in a unique way.
3. Past Drug Addiction
The society has a way of stigmatising people with a drug addiction past. They can make you feel like you don't deserve a second chance, feel unwanted and unaccountable for. This is the time you need to believe in yourself that you deserve better. Do something bigger than yourself. Use your past to change others and stay focused.
4. Negative Self Talk
You might have the tendency of saying negative things about yourself. This eventually becomes a habit. You need to stop. Stop saying bad things about yourself and finding reasons to justify the negativity in them. Most of the negative talk is unfounded. Write down your strengths and speak them every morning you wake up. Be positive. In case you make a mistake, no one is perfect. Making mistakes is one of the things that make us human.
5. Mental Illness
Unfortunately, mental illness is one of the things the society hasn't fully accepted yet. There is a stigma for mental weakness . You might feel out of place in the society. I want you to understand that mental illness is not a choice. It's not something you can control . Stop feeling ashamed. Accept it, and stop the self-pity. Believe that you deserve a chance in this world because every human life has great value no matter the condition they are in.
6. Ongoing Stressful Life Events
It might be a relationship, a job you just lost, or financial problems. Whatever is going on in your life, you did your best. In that job you just lost, you gave it your best shot, the relationship that crumbled down you were worth it and you still are. Don't burden yourself with thinking that you are the cause of things falling apart. Have a great value of yourself and let go. You remember that old adage when one door closes another one opens? Well, it's true. Yours destined for the best.
7. Comparing Yourself To Others
The want to belong is normal in all humans. It feels bad when you can't belong where you desire to belong. It makes you feel like you don't have what it takes to be there . Accept who you are and where you are. Set healthy life goals to move forward . Life is about growing.Don't allow others to intimidate you with what you don't have, be focused.
We can thus see that low self-esteem is an acquired trait. It is not an inherited quality like the colour of the skin. Like all acquired traits, this can be treated.
