How can Women build their Self-Esteem?

Posted on 14 February, 2023 by Marie Lafortune

Self-esteem is an essential component of mental and emotional well-being. It refers to a person's overall sense of self-worth and value and can impact every aspect of their life, from relationships to career success. While there's still time to boost it, do it, because according to studies, self-esteem begins to decline between the ages of 60 and 70 (Aging Care, 2020).

Low self-esteem can lead to feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and self-doubt. It can also make it difficult to set and achieve goals and can lead to negative self-talk and self-sabotaging behaviors. On the other hand, high self-esteem can lead to confidence, resilience, and a positive outlook on life. So, how can we, as women, develop and maintain a healthy sense of self-esteem? Here are some tips:

1. Practice self-compassion We all make mistakes and experience setbacks in life. Rather than beating ourselves up over these failures, we should practice self-compassion and treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding that we would offer a close friend. This means acknowledging our mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward with self-acceptance and self-love.

2. Set and achieve goals: Setting and achieving goals is an important way to build self-esteem. When we accomplish something that we set out to do, no matter how small, it reinforces our sense of competence and ability. Start by setting achievable goals, and work your way up to more challenging ones.

3. Surround yourself with positive people: The people we spend time with can have a big impact on our sense of self-worth. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in you and your abilities. Stay away from people who bring you down or make you feel inferior.

4. Practice self-care: Taking care of ourselves is an important way to build self-esteem. This means getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that we enjoy and that make us feel good about ourselves.

5. Challenge your bad thoughts: I will always point out how self-criticism can destroy our great potential for the sole reason that I have witnessed too many women got wasted because of it. We all have an inner critic that can be harsh and unforgiving. But challenge negative self-talk by questioning its validity and replacing it with more positive, self-affirming thoughts. How can you do it with more examples will be detailed in my next blog. 

In conclusion, self-esteem is a crucial aspect of mental and emotional well-being, and there are many ways to develop and maintain a healthy sense of self-worth. By practicing self-compassion, setting and achieving goals, surrounding ourselves with positive people, practicing self-care, and challenging negative self-talk, we can build the confidence and resilience we need to navigate life's challenges with grace and positivity.