Low self-esteem is one of those sneaky things that can creep into your life without you even realising it. You might find yourself second-guessing everything you do, feeling like you’re not good enough, or constantly comparing yourself to others. Over time, these feelings can become so ingrained that they start to shape how you see yourself and how you navigate the world.
But here’s the truth: You deserve to feel good about yourself. You deserve to recognise your worth and embrace your unique qualities without feeling like you’re always falling short. The good news is that low self-esteem isn’t a permanent state. It’s something you can overcome, and with the right tools and support, you can start building a healthier, more empowering relationship with yourself.
What Is Low Self-Esteem?
Low self-esteem is essentially a negative perception of yourself. It shows up as persistent feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and insecurity. You may feel like you’re not as good, smart, capable, or worthy as others, and this can lead to a range of negative emotions like anxiety, sadness, or frustration.
Some signs of low self-esteem include:
- Constantly criticising yourself, even for small mistakes.
- Avoiding challenges because you don’t believe you’ll succeed.
- Feeling like you’re not deserving of love, success, or happiness.
- Struggling to accept compliments or positive feedback.
- Comparing yourself unfavourably to others.
- Being overly focused on what others think of you.
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Low self-esteem can affect anyone at any point in life. It’s often shaped by early experiences, negative feedback from others, or challenging life events that leave you questioning your worth. The key is recognising it—and then working to change it.
The Impact of Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem doesn’t just affect how you feel about yourself. It has a ripple effect on many areas of your life, including your relationships, career, and overall well-being. When you don’t believe in yourself, you might settle for less than you deserve in your relationships, stay in a job that doesn’t fulfil you, or hold back from pursuing your goals.
Over time, low self-esteem can lead to a range of emotional and mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and isolation. The more you doubt yourself, the more you might pull away from opportunities that could help you grow and thrive. And that’s why it’s so important to address it.
How to Recognise Low Self-Esteem
Sometimes, low self-esteem can be obvious, but other times it’s more subtle. You might not even realize that the way you’re thinking or behaving is rooted in self-doubt. Here are some common ways it shows up:
- Self-criticism: You’re hard on yourself for every little mistake, even things others wouldn’t notice.
- Fear of failure: You avoid taking risks or trying new things because you’re convinced you won’t succeed.
- People-pleasing: You say yes to things you don’t want to do because you’re afraid of disappointing others or being rejected.
- Perfectionism: You set impossibly high standards for yourself and feel like a failure when you don’t meet them.
- Avoiding compliments: When someone praises you, you downplay it or feel uncomfortable.
- Comparing yourself to others: You constantly measure yourself against others and feel like you never measure up.
Overcoming Low Self-Esteem
The journey to overcoming low self-esteem is a deeply personal one, but it’s absolutely possible. It’s about shifting your mindset and learning to treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you’d offer a close friend. Here are a few steps you can start taking today:
1. Challenge Negative Self-Talk
The way you talk to yourself matters. Start paying attention to your inner dialogue, and when you catch yourself being overly critical or negative, pause and reframe it. Ask yourself, “Would I say this to a friend?” If not, then don’t say it to yourself either.
2. Celebrate Your Wins
Whether big or small, take time to acknowledge your accomplishments. Did you complete a task at work? Celebrate it. Did you try something outside your comfort zone? That’s a win too. Recognising these moments helps shift your focus from what you’re lacking to what you’re achieving.
3. Set Realistic Goals
One way to build confidence and boost self-esteem is to set small, achievable goals. When you accomplish these goals, it reinforces the belief that you can succeed and that you’re capable of growth.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences
The people you spend time with can have a huge impact on how you see yourself. Surround yourself with supportive, uplifting people who encourage you and help you recognize your worth. Distance yourself from those who drain your energy or reinforce negative self-beliefs.
5. Practice Self-Compassion
Being kind to yourself is one of the most important steps in overcoming low self-esteem. It’s okay to make mistakes; it’s okay to not have it all figured out. Treat yourself with patience and understanding, just like you would a loved one.
6. Seek Professional Support
Sometimes, low self-esteem runs deep, and it can be hard to break out of the cycle on your own. Working with a counsellor can provide you with the tools and support to explore the root causes of your low self-esteem, challenge harmful beliefs, and rebuild a positive sense of self.
Why Counselling Can Help
Low self-esteem often stems from deeper experiences or beliefs that have built up over time. While it’s possible to make progress on your own, working with a counsellor can be incredibly valuable. In a safe, non-judgmental space, you can begin to unpack the thoughts and experiences that shaped your self-image and start building a stronger, more resilient foundation of self-worth.
At Embodied Harmony, I take a holistic approach to counselling, helping you not only explore the mental and emotional aspects of low self-esteem but also reconnect with your inner strength and vitality. We’ll work together to shift the way you see yourself, so you can stop doubting your worth and start living with confidence and self-compassion.
Ready to Break Free from Low Self-Esteem?
If low self-esteem is holding you back from living the life you deserve, it’s time to take the first step toward change. At Embodied Harmony, I’m here to help you reclaim your self-worth and guide you toward a more empowered, confident version of yourself.
Reach out to Embodied Harmony today and let’s start your journey toward building a healthier, more positive relationship with yourself. You are worthy of love, success, and happiness—let’s make sure you believe that too. Book your free15-minute consultation to explore how counselling can support your personal journey toward building an abundance of self-esteem and confidence.