It’s a Marathon, not a Sprint: How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem

In today’s world, it’s common for many people to experience low self-esteem from time to time. However, when feelings of low self-esteem impact your day-to-day life, it’s time to make a change. The key to overcoming the harmful effects of low self-esteem is being proactive about your self-care and mental health. Remember, you’re in control of your emotions and well-being.

Next time you’re feeling down on yourself, remember these three strategies:

Give yourself permission to make mistakes. No matter how hard to try, perfection will always be unattainable. In every aspect of your personal and professional life, it’s essential that you give yourself permission to make mistakes and fail. Experiencing downfalls is the only way you’ll truly learn and grow – and ultimately become a better person than you were before. If you constantly strive for perfection, you’ll always be destined for disappointment and sadness. When you set realistic expectations for yourself, you’ll start to view challenges as opportunities for significant growth and transformation.

Take time for yourself. With evolving platforms like social media, it seems like everybody now has instant access to each other. Constant communication, especially on sites like Facebook and Instagram, can often cause feelings of comparison and loneliness. It’s important to remember that online communications channels are not “real” but rather manufactured perceptions of other peoples’ lives. It’s also critical to take some time each day to break away from technology and engage in positive self-care. Whether it’s reading a book or having coffee with a friend, setting aside time for yourself will help you detach from the superficiality of social media and focus on yourself in a meaningful way.

Keep things in perspective. There’s no denying that it’s easy to lose perspective over situations that occur in life. When you fail to keep things in perspective, you can lose your sense of mindfulness and let even the smallest things trigger you. This has the potential to quickly tear down your self-esteem and cause your emotions to spiral out of control. By being mindful and living in the present, you can reduce your anxiety and learn how to cope better with negative circumstances.

Are you suffering from low self-esteem? Contact Joseph Montaldi, LCSW, based in San Antonio, Texas, to set up your consultation today.