Self-esteem
isn't something you can see, or touch, or hear -- but
it's there and it's yours! You own it … it's the
way you feel about yourself, the way you talk about yourself,
the way you see yourself.
Self means you. Esteem means respect. Together -- self
esteems means how much you think of yourself, how good
you feel about your accomplishments and the way you look
– how much you like yourself.
We all have to have self-esteem -- it's important. By
having good self-esteem, it helps you feel proud of yourself,
your accomplishments and talents. Self-esteem is courage
-- it lets you believe in yourself! When you believe in
yourself, you respect yourself -- and others will believe
in you and respect you too!
Good self-esteem allows you to make good choices ... choices
that can affect your entire life.
They don’t sell self-esteem in stores. Your parents
should help you build good self-esteem from the time you
are born. They encourage you with positive words and actions.
They show you love and acceptance. If your parents have
good self-esteem – you probably will have good self-esteem
too. If they don't have good self-esteem -- you might
have to work harder at getting it and keeping it.
As you get older ... there are many others in your life
to help you develop good self-esteem. Teachers, coaches,
friends, and classmates. By being positive role models
for you, encouraging you to learn things and cheering
you on, they can help you to see your good qualities.
And, if something doesn't go right, they believe in you
and help you. These are the people in your life who will
help you develop good self-esteem -- allowing you to feel
good about yourself -- proud of yourself.
Do you or does someone you know have low self-esteem?
Do you think badly of yourself? Do you know someone who
criticizes himself too much?
If your parents don't offer encouragement, if there's
a lot of yelling at home, if a teacher makes you feel
stupid, or a kid at school is mean to you ... all of these
things can affect your self-esteem. If you have to work
harder in school because you're grades aren't as good
as your classmate's, if you didn’t make the cheerleading
squad or the team and your friends did -- this can make
you feel bad and put a dent in your self-esteem.
No matter what -- it is important for you to have good
self-esteem. If you think you have low self-esteem talk
to your parents or a counselor at school.
If you are being abused and someone is telling you that
you are bad, ugly, or stupid – don’t listen
to them – don’t believe them. Adults who have
low self-esteem can try to make you feel the same way.
Talk to an adult you trust who believes in you.
Tell yourself you are good, attractive and smart. Repeat
it to yourself over and over again. Believe it!
· Remember your body
is your own, no matter what shape, size, or color
· Remember that there
are certain things about yourself you can't change.
Accept and love these things about yourself.
· When you hear negative
comments coming from adults or that voice inside you --
mentally tell yourself to stop. The critical voice inside
you will lose its power.
· Give yourself FIVE
compliments every day. Be specific about good things you
like about yourself! Tell yourself you played better on
the team than you thought you would, or that you scored
better on your test than you thought you would, or that
you were nice to your next door neighbor. By doing
this everyday, you will feel good about yourself.
· Think positive –
believe positive!
Were
your parents, and other people around you, perfect when
you were growing up? No -- because no one is perfect!
There is nothing you can do can change that -- or the
way you grew up. Even if you could change past times or
another person, that wouldn’t change the way you
feel about yourself. The only thing you can do to change
your feeling of self-worth is to change what is in your
mind!
There
is only one area where you have power and that is YOU!
You can choose to use that power to change your feelings
of self-worth by changing … The way you perceive
things and the way you act.
If
you believe that you’re worthwhile and valuable,
(and you should) the only approval you’ll ever need
is the approval that comes from inside you -- not from
others. Learn to trust yourself!
A lot of times low self-esteem comes from listening to
critical voices from the past. Try positive, new thoughts
that can replace negative thoughts, giving you a more
positive picture of you.
Your
past and how you view it creates your self esteem. Your
past is how, where and with whom you grew up. That past
colors your thought patterns, feelings, attitudes, and
values.
No
single event or person can shape your self-esteem. Your
perception of your history determines the way you see
yourself now -- and always.
Develop positive feelings and self-worth -- Figure out
what changes you want in your life. These changes can
be in relationships, at school, your social life, your
feelings, your attitudes, etc. Choose changes YOU want,
not what someone else thinks you should change.
Approve
of Yourself! When you approve of your actions, your feelings,
and your thoughts, you build healthy self-esteem that
no one can take away from you. When you seek approval
from others, you lose control over your good feelings.
Give yourself a hug, a pat on the back, and a gold star!
Keeping
a journal is a great way to see your experiences and you
relate to them. Write
what makes you feel positive and what makes you feel negative.
After a week or two, review the journal. Tell a supportive
friend or relative about your achievements. Let them know
you don’t want or need their approval or disapproval
– you just want them to listen.
Notice
how good you feel when you say positive things about yourself.
A good reason for keeping a journal is review your achievements.
This creates self-encouragement.
Low
self-esteem, is being unrealistic and being a perfectionist.
Believe you’re good enough -- you’re deserving
-- you’re capable -- you are lovable! Believe in
yourself --- Love yourself!
You can do anything! You can be anything!
You are awesome!
