Self-Esteem

 

Self-Esteem

Understanding Self-Esteem:

Self-esteem is the confidence in one's own worth, abilities, or morals. It encompasses beliefs about oneself (such as "I am loved" or "I am worthy") and emotional states like triumph, despair, pride, and shame. Essentially, self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It's rooted in our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can be challenging to change. We often equate self-esteem with self-confidence.

Your self-esteem can influence whether you:

• Like and value yourself as a person.
• Believe in your abilities and feel worthy of happiness and respect.

The construct of self-esteem is highly valued in psychology because it is associated with various positive outcomes, such as academic achievement, relationship satisfaction, happiness, and lower rates of criminal behavior. High self-esteem is believed to improve mental and physical health and reduce anti-social behavior, while low self-esteem is linked to anxiety, loneliness, and increased vulnerability to substance abuse.

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is giving respect and admiration to yourself. The American Psychological Association defines self-esteem as "the degree to which the qualities and characteristics contained in one’s self-concept are perceived to be positive." High self-esteem involves more than just liking yourself; it includes affording yourself love, value, dignity, and respect. It also means believing in your capability to learn, achieve, and contribute to the world, and having the autonomy to do things independently.

Self-esteem is based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can feel difficult to change. It also relates to how you feel others view, treat, and value you. This is why those in abusive situations or who have experienced trauma are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem, both concurrently and in the future.

Self-esteem isn't dependent entirely on one thing or set of thoughts. Instead, it comprises your view of all the things that define you as a person, including your personality, accomplishments, talents, capabilities, background, experiences, relationships, and physical body, as well as how you perceive others see you.

 High self - Esteem :

High self esteem   means that you believe in yourself and know that you are a great addition to this world. You recognize that you might have a few weaknesses, but you also have a lot of strengths which really shape up who you are? Your glass is always “half full”.

It’s great to have a group of friends and family that support your self esteem by recognizing your strengths. The world would be a boring place if everybody had the same strengths and weaknesses! Here’s an example of friends encouraging each other’s self esteem. The strengths as something  can contribute, and recognize their weaknesses as an opportunity to encourage their friend’s strengths. This is an awesome way to help build self esteem.

Why High Self-Esteem Is Important:

According to the American Psychological Association, high self-esteem is key to positive mental health and well-being. It helps develop coping skills, handle adversity, and maintain perspective on negative aspects of life. People with high self-esteem tend not to dwell on their weaknesses and are better equipped to cope with stress and pressure from various sources.

High self-esteem encourages a proactive approach to challenges. For example, if struggling with a project at work, someone with high self-esteem might ask a supervisor for help rather than berating themselves for being ineffective. In contrast, low self-esteem often leads to entrenched negative feelings and a diminished ability to adapt to life's challenges.

Signs of High Self-Esteem:

• Comfortable expressing opinions, even if different from others.
• Confidence in abilities.
• Resilience in the face of challenges.
• Maintaining a positive self-view despite setbacks.
• Treating oneself with love and respect.
• Setting boundaries with those who don't value or respect you.

Low Self-Esteem:

Characteristics and Effects.

Low self-esteem means that you don’t believe in yourself. You often compare yourself to others and focus on your weaknesses rather than strengths.

If you feel that you have low self-esteem, remember that you are valuable and have many strengths that contribute to making the world a better place. You don't have to live with low self-esteem – you can work towards improving it.

Signs of Low Self-Esteem:

• Lack of confidence.
• External locus of control.
• Negative social comparisons.
• Trouble asking for help.
• Worry and doubt.
• Difficulty accepting compliments.
• Negative self-talk.
• Fear of failure.
• Poor outlook on the future.

Effects of Low Self-Esteem:

Low self-esteem can harm your mental health, leading to frequent negative self-talk and difficulty overcoming challenges. It can cause social isolation and hinder efforts to build confidence or self-worth. Low self-esteem is also linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Factors That Lower Self-Esteem:

• Abuse: Abusive relationships, whether during childhood or adulthood, can severely harm self-esteem.
• Mindset: A pessimistic attitude and fixed mindset can overwhelm you with negative thoughts.
• Life Events: Negative life events, such as failing a course or facing criticism, can lower self-esteem.
• Social Standards: External sources like the approval of others and body image can affect self-esteem.
• Unrealistic Goal Setting: Setting unattainable goals can lead to self-criticism and a decrease in self-esteem.

Self-Esteem Impacts Everything:

Self-esteem affects our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, significantly influencing our happiness and enjoyment of life. It affects our relationships, work, goals, and how we care for ourselves and our children.

People with healthy self-esteem can think positively about themselves and their future, even after setbacks. They credit themselves for successes and consider external causes for failures while honestly evaluating and improving upon mistakes.

Raising Self-Esteem:

Raising self-esteem involves getting to know and love yourself, building a relationship as you would with a friend, and becoming your own best friend. This requires attentive listening, quiet time, and commitment. Therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, can help change how you think and act, boosting self-esteem.

Steps to Raise Self-Esteem:

• Recognize the Signs: Be able to spot clues that your self-esteem needs uplifting.
• Root Out False Beliefs: Identify and change false beliefs and behaviors.
• Identify Cognitive Distortions: Challenge cognitive distortions that impair self-esteem.
• Journal: Journaling can elevate mood and decrease depression.
• Heal Toxic Shame: Learn more about codependency and shame if you believe you suffer from them.

Self-Esteem in Islam:

Self-esteem in Islam means loving and appreciating yourself for who you are, flaws and all, and having confidence in your abilities and worth. Allah (SWT) made us all beautiful in our own way, and we should accept and not try to change ourselves just to fit in with everyone else.

Developing Muslim Psychology.

Muslim psychology emphasizes being optimistic, grateful, and patient, and avoiding materialism and jealousy. Comparing yourself to others can lead to jealousy, which is forbidden by Allah. Be grateful during happy times and patient during hardships.

Developing Positive Skills and Habits.

Engage in positive habits and virtues to increase self-esteem. Sins decrease self-esteem, while helping others, complimenting others, and speaking the truth can boost it.

Keeping Good Company.

Good company is essential for maintaining self-esteem. Being around people who talk about the good in life and discuss Allah can positively influence your self-confidence.

Hygiene.

Being clean and hygienic is half of a believer's faith. Keeping yourself well-groomed and clean can boost your confidence and self-esteem. Allah calls believers to pray five times a day, which involves making ablution, a practice beneficial for both religion and worldly life

Conclusion:

Self-esteem is fundamental to our well-being and impacts every aspect of our lives. It's the foundation of our confidence, resilience, and ability to navigate challenges. Understanding the components of self-esteem, recognizing its signs, and addressing factors that lower it are crucial steps toward cultivating a healthy self-image.

High self-esteem enables us to embrace our strengths, set boundaries, and face adversity with resilience. It fosters positive relationships, effective coping mechanisms, and a sense of fulfillment in life. Conversely, low self-esteem can lead to negative self-talk, social isolation, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Raising self-esteem involves recognizing the signs of low self-worth, challenging negative beliefs, and cultivating self-compassion. Therapy, journaling, and practicing gratitude are valuable tools in this journey. In Islam, self-esteem is intertwined with gratitude, patience, and a positive mindset, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and avoiding comparison.

Ultimately, self-esteem is a dynamic aspect of our psychological well-being that requires nurturing and care. By fostering a positive self-image, we empower ourselves to lead fulfilling lives and contribute positively to the world around us.