How do you regard yourself and how much do you appreciate yourself? Your answers reveal a lot about your self-esteem.
High self-esteem makes it easier for you to be gentle and accepting towards yourself and others. This helps you acknowledge your own mistakes and screw-ups while still considering yourself a good person deep down.
Behind high self-esteem lies genuine self-knowledge.
Person with high self-esteem
- Has a truthful self-image – they identify and are aware of their weaknesses. They do not defend their bad behaviour with their weaknesses (e.g. ‘This is who I am, I cannot help it’).
- Trusts themselves and values themselves as a person. Valuing yourself means not letting others hurt yourself, for instance. Self-confidence, on the other hand, refers to having the courage to take on challenging tasks – you might not be able to overcome them but you can still have the courage to give it a try.
- Considers their own life valuable and unique.
- Is independent both in decisions concerning their own life and of others’ opinions.
- Does not feel the need to hurt others but still lives their own life the way they want – not according to the prevailing values of the environment.
- Tolerates uncertainty, disappointments and failures.
High self-esteem is NOT
- The same thing as confident behaviour or outward success.
- Merely self-confidence and seeing yourself only in positive light.
- Social courage, as shy or withdrawn people can also have high self-esteem. On the other hand, a loud, visible and social person who is always the centre of attention among their friends can suffer from low self-esteem behind the surface. Self-esteem does not always show on the outside.
- Self-fulfilment at the expense of others.
No-one has perfect self-esteem – and that should not even be the goal. Everyone also has at least a tiny bit of self-esteem. It is possible to improve your self-esteem during all phases of life. This helps you increase your satisfaction in life and strengthens your feelings of control over your own life.
It is possible to improve your self-esteem during all phases of life.