4 ways we could all benefit from healthy self-esteem
“Self-esteem is
Confidence in our ability to think, confidence in our ability to cope with the basic challenges of life
Confidence in our right to be successful and happy, the feeling of being worth, deserving, entitled to assert our needs and wants, achieve our values, and enjoy the fruits of our efforts”
- Nathaniel Branden <The six pillars of self-esteem>
In essence, people who have healthy self-esteem tend to trust their mind/ability and know that they are worthy of love & happiness. The level of our self-esteem influence how we behave and how we behave impacts the level of our self-esteem - a continuous feedback loop.
If we want to feel good about ourselves, free from anxiety or depression or burnout, and live a better life - we need to have healthy self-esteem. It basically dictates every aspect of our life, from who we fall in love and get married with, how we behave in the workplace and how much wealth do we generate, to how much personal happiness we attain.
Healthy self-esteem can benefit all of us in four ways:
The best predictor of personal happiness. Healthy self-esteem is the foundation for personal growth, resilience and personal happiness in all domains of life.
Successful and meaningful career: People with health self-esteem are more likely to seek stimulation and challenges of worthwhile and demanding goals. we believe our ability and are better equipped to cope with difficulties and setbacks in work & career.
Fulfilling relationships: Healthy self-esteem enables us to form and maintain fulfilling relationships. When we think positively about ourselves, we are more likely to seek nourishing interactions and assert our needs and boundaries effectively. We are more likely to treat others with respect, fairness and acceptance, which in turn fosters better interpersonal relationship.
Mental wellbeing: Healthy self-esteem contributes to mental wellbeing - we are more resilient and feel good about ourselves & our abilities. Low self-esteem is often associated with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and burnout.
My name is Wenjia, as a highly skilled and empathetic therapist, I specialize in supporting exhausted adults who struggle with low self-esteem/people pleasing/co-dependency/perfectionism. My goal is to help you develop a positive view of yourself and thrive in a more fulfilling life.