Perhaps you’ve been feeling down about yourself lately. You might be frustrated with your circumstances in several areas of your life. Yet, you don’t know how to change things for the better. Maybe you feel disrespected in your friendships and misunderstood by your family. Maybe you know that you’re being mistreated at work.
Alternatively, things might not seem so bad on the outside — but inside, you can’t seem to think positively of yourself, no matter how great your life looks to others.
Many people deal with periods of low self-esteem. Some people are plagued by a low sense of self-worth for years on end. In addition to reaching out to a therapist, there are a few things you can try to do on your own to boost your sense of self-worth. Here’s how to gradually improve your self-perception and recognize your unique value as a person.
1. Take Care of Your Physical Needs
First, it’s important to ensure that you’re genuinely taking care of your basic physical needs. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your exhaustion can exacerbate mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Furthermore, fueling your body with nutritious foods, getting physical activity, and taking time for self-care practices like meditation can all lift your mood!
When you tend to these core physical needs, you’ll feel better inside and out. Try to form daily routines around these beneficial habits. For example, a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a brisk morning walk can help you start your days off on the right foot.
2. Pay Attention to Who Makes You Feel Valued
You might be dealing with low self-worth because the people in your life do not appreciate your value. For instance, your manager might talk down to you at work or you may be underpaid. Your friends might try to walk all over your boundaries or your relatives may treat you like a black sheep.
Pay close attention to who actually values your presence in their life. When you realize that you’re being undervalued in your friendships, romantic relationships, or workplace, think about how you can exit these situations. This doesn’t mean making drastic moves right away, but you can begin planning for a new chapter. You could start applying for new jobs, join a local hobby group to meet new people, or take a break from dating for a while.
3. Watch Out for the Negative Voice in Your Head
The negative voice in your head might berate you whenever you make a mistake or try to talk you out of striving for better things. Think about what triggers that negative voice. Do you tend to hear it more often when you’re scrolling through social media, watching the news, or hanging out with certain people?
If so, it’s time to take a step back from any of these activities. When you notice that something or someone seems to “set off” that negative voice, take it as a warning sign.
4. Spend Time Doing What You Love
Finally, it’s important to spend time focusing on what you love. What makes you feel truly energized and happy? It could be a particular hobby, a creative art, a sport, or even watching your favorite movies and listening to your favorite bands.
Instead of dwelling on what other people think, focus on “filling your own cup.” Make plenty of room in your life for your passions and you’ll be feeling stronger, more confident, and more motivated overall.
