4 Steps to Improve Your Self-Esteem Naturally

Best Ways To Improve Your Self-Esteem

Studies by the American Psychological Association have shown that our mood and outlook can be directly influenced by our environment. Moreover, our self-esteem can take a big hit when we are constantly inundated with depressing situations.

These past few years have been hard on us all.  Between political unrest, dubious economic conditions, and the dratted pandemic – we’ve all taken some tough knocks.  With the current climate in the world today being rather dour, it’s no wonder that more people are experiencing self-loathing, depression, and anxiety now than ever.  

That’s why it’s crucial to actively seek out ways to improve self-esteem naturally.  Doing so will lead to healthier outlooks, hope for a better future, and feeling better on the whole.  So if you’re struggling with self-esteem issues, here are a few steps to take that will help you boost your mood and self-confidence.

Self-Evaluation and Recognizing the Issue

According to Psychology Today, 85% of people worldwide struggle with low self-esteem. While low self-esteem is clearly a common problem, it is not commonly identified correctly. To explain, many people go their entire lives with low self-esteem and never properly recognize it or face it head-on.  If not clearly identified, then how can self-esteem be improved?

This is why it is important to do a self-evaluation. This requires brutal self-honesty and admitting that yes, indeed, low self-esteem might be an issue. Now, this honesty and self-evaluation do not mean beating yourself up by perceiving yourself as somehow lacking or weak.  On the contrary, this is about taking a thoughtful, loving inventory of yourself, admitting the truth, accepting it, and laying down a plan to counteract the presence of low self-esteem in yourself.

Engage In Positive Self-Talk

Now that you’ve made a self-inventory and recognized that you struggle with low self-confidence, it will be easier to see that perception crop up in your awareness.  It’s far easier to tackle esteem issues when you identify when they rear their ugly heads. 

For example, you may feel that sense of dread in the pit of your stomach when you go to a job interview. More likely than not, that is low self-esteem creeping into your consciousness.  When you have that low esteem sensation bubbling up within you, then take immediate action to counteract it. You can do this by engaging in positive self-talk.  

Instead of indulging the feelings of inadequacy you might feel – talk to yourself about all the times you’ve succeeded in other areas of your life. Remind yourself you are a vibrant, intelligent, strong individual. Make a mental list of all your accomplishments and tell yourself that you are fully capable of achieving anything you put your mind to.

Become More Present

Very often, low self-esteem develops in people who continuously replay old memories of perceived failures.  Interestingly, this prompts apprehension about performing in the future because there is a fear of repeating past failures. Therefore, when combating poor self-esteem, it is crucial to stay in the present moment.

Let’s face it. You cannot change anything that has happened in your past. The future is an unknown quantity, so there’s not a whole lot you can do about that either.  The only true moment you have complete control over is the present moment. Being present gives you power, and is, therefore, a great boon to your self-confidence.

Practice Radical Self-Acceptance

If you think about it, the longest relationship you will ever have in your entire life is the relationship you have with yourself.  Given this lifelong bond and history, it only makes sense that you should “make friends” with yourself. 

You can start doing this by accepting the things within you that you feel need some work.  Alternatively, make a strong case for the things about yourself that you appreciate, value, and love.  Apply the wisdom of the old serenity saying that goes something like, “Accept the things (about you) that you cannot change, have the courage to change the things you can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.”

The Last Word on Improving Your Self-Esteem

Be easy on yourself.  Recognize the innate beauty within you.  Remember that you are here for a purpose, and you are a gift to this world.  Lastly, be patient with yourself as you go through these four steps to improve your self-esteem.