Because these days it’s vital to take care of our mental health, our personal development and our interpersonal relationships, we strive to develop and strengthen our self-esteem. It’s a daily task that, if done properly, will become an invisible automatic.
Self-esteem is how we perceive ourselves. This perception is often flawed and has a negative impact on our general well-being, ruining our lives. However, by implementing a 10-step strategic plan, we can improve our damaged self-esteem.
1. The practice of self-compassion
First and foremost, it’s essential to get out of the vicious circle of excessive self-criticism. It’s time to treat ourselves with kindness, as we would a friend or relative, for example. And yes, become your best friend, the one who comforts you and doesn’t judge you in times of adversity.
In the same vein, we are not robots; we are prone to making mistakes. We need to recognise these mistakes, accept them and use them as learning opportunities. That’s the best way to grow stronger from them!
2. Set realistic objectives
No more unattainable goals that eat away at you! A goal can be complex, so we break it down into successive stages that we reach in stages. This generates a sense of achievement that will keep you motivated until you reach your final goal.
For each small victory, however small, a reward is in order. This could be words of self-congratulation or a small gift such as a piece of costume jewellery. For those who like to celebrate, a dinner with friends would be the perfect way to toast success.
3. Positive affirmations
When we have low self-esteem, we accumulate negative thoughts. We stop everything and replace them with positive affirmations. Telling yourself ‘I’m rubbish’ is not productive, whereas instead saying ‘I’m capable and I’m learning every day’ gives you a benevolent and motivating view of yourself.
Here’s a valuable tip for assessing your own worth and becoming aware of the positive aspects of your being: write down your successes and positive thoughts in a notebook. After all, everyone’s daily life is full of them.
4. The practice of mindfulness
While it is human to worry about the future and dwell on the past, it is nevertheless advisable to learn to focus on the present. It’s the only time we need to pay attention to, as this practice helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
It is also possible for the more motivated to carry out mindfulness meditation exercises. This reduces depressive or ‘down’ states and develops a better understanding of oneself.
5. Taking care of yourself
Self-esteem goes hand in hand with taking care of your body. That’s why regular physical activity is so important. Not only is it good for your health, it’s also good for your mood. Don’t panic, walking for 30 minutes a day is already good exercise, so there’s no need to start preparing for the next Olympics.
In addition to physical activity, a balanced diet is recommended to have a positive and significant influence on mental well-being. While it’s often difficult to know how to go about this, some Instagram accounts offer excellent advice and often propose quick, easy and healthy recipes.
6. Stop comparing yourself
One of the worst ways of lowering your self-esteem is undoubtedly the bad habit of comparing yourself to others. That’s when you stop immediately and focus on yourself, on your progress and achievements, taking into account your abilities and limitations. None of us progresses at the same pace or can achieve the same goals. That’s just the way it is.
Social networks are without doubt the worst enemy of social comparison. Other people’s dream lives and extravagant successes contrast with our ordinary everyday lives. It’s important to remember that all this is usually a pretense and that our ordinary lives are full of happy and sometimes surprising moments.
7. Expressing your emotions
Staying in your own bubble, dwelling on all the negative aspects of your life, is certainly reassuring for the more diligent, but it’s a trap you need to get out of. The solution is to finally dare to express your emotions to those closest to you. The result will be understanding and kindness, which will fuel self-compassion.
If it’s sometimes difficult to express your emotions, especially when it’s something unusual, the option of a therapist should be considered. You can also keep a diary dedicated to expressing your feelings and thoughts.
8. Self-acceptance
No, it is impossible to be a human being essentially composed of defects. Nobody can believe that. So we finally recognise the qualities that we’ve taken the time to list and we write them down. And to make the exercise more complete, we also list our past successes.
At the same time, you have to learn to forgive your imperfections. They reflect the humanity within us, and every one of us has them. It’s a real opportunity, even a blessing, to avoid boredom and dullness!
9. Engage in rewarding actions
What better way to boost your sense of purpose and self-worth than by volunteering to help others? There are so many ways of helping and so many types of association looking for volunteers that the choice is dizzying.
It can also be a personal project that makes sense for you. You just have to let go, dare and get involved. You may not be helping others, but at the end of the day you’re helping yourself, and that’s very rewarding.
10. Developing and maintaining your skills
This practice is often overlooked because it can take up a lot of time and energy. However, acquiring or improving skills, whether personal or professional, is an excellent springboard for boosting self-confidence. There are a multitude of quality online training courses that can help you to succeed.
Similarly, free time is the perfect time to invest in your passions and hobbies. Giving yourself these moments to indulge in the activities you love is a sure-fire way of boosting your self-esteem considerably.
Follow us on Instagram