Self-esteem is the opinion that you hold of yourself. If you have low self-esteem, it means that you may hold a negative view of your abilities, character, or appearance.  Sadly, women are more likely to be affected by low self-esteem than men. This is especially true in Western cultures where the gender gap is significantly greater. In this article we will look at why women…

This summer, in Times Square–the epicenter of one of the most diverse cities on earth, a giant billboard is up featuring two women of different sizes–the larger woman with her head in her hands looking miserable and the thinner woman with a big smile looking very happy. The text across the billboard says, “Feeling fat and lazy?” Body shaming is real and there’s no escape…

Most people would rather be thought of as down-to-earth and funny rather than egotistical or narcissistic. People who are able to use humor to make fun of themselves or recognize their flaws tend to be self-aware, appealing, and approachable. Yet, there’s a fine line between humility and over-the-top self-deprecation. Self-deprecating phrases like “it was nothing” and “I’m such an idiot” are so common we often…

Maybe you missed a deadline, yelled at your child, botched a presentation, or did poorly on an assignment. We all feel like we don’t belong from time to time. And when you’re not sure of yourself, it’s easy to lose your sense of self-compassion and feel like a fraud. Everyone else is handling it, why can’t I? How long until people find out that I…

You’re your worst critic. No one can make you feel worse than that voice in your head that criticizes you for every wrong thing you do. While it is good to recognize mistakes to correct them, constant criticism can wear you out. For you to cope during times of stress and suffering, it is essential to practice self-compassion. Read on to learn what this practice…

It is hard to prioritize self-care when you have a to-do list packed with school, work, or family commitments. When you have many caregiving responsibilities, taking time off for yourself seems selfish and unnecessary. What many people do not realize is that self-care is essential. Without it, one cannot take care of others or be productive at work. We take a closer look at this…

“Why do I always feel guilty?” Guilt is your mind’s way of keeping you in check and making you considerate towards people around you. It is not a bad emotion; without it, you would be sadistic or narcissistic. However, constantly feeling guilty even when you did nothing wrong is not normal. It is an indicator of deep-seated psychological issues. The overwhelming sense of guilt can…

What are boundaries? Experts define boundaries as limits or space between you and another person. It’s crucial to create healthy boundaries to protect and take care of yourself. Besides, boundaries are vital for your mental health and well-being. Furthermore, your boundaries help establish your identity, conserve emotional energy, and build your self-esteem. However, setting healthy boundaries is easier said than done. If you’ve been living…

Most of us have at least one thing we would like to change about our bodies. Maybe you think that your nose is a little bigger than normal or your muscles need some work. Whatever the case, mass media and fashion trends don’t make it any easier when it comes to being secure about looks. The bad news is that body image can be a…

Self-harm is a secretive behavior that affects more people than you may think – about 10% of adolescents and young adults. This article is an explainer, and its goal is to explain self-harm, its possible causes, and how to access treatment and support. What Is Self-Harm? Self-injury describes the non-suicidal behavior when someone deliberately inflicts harm on their body as a way of dealing with…

Most people use the terms self-esteem and self-confidence interchangeably to refer to how an individual feels about themselves. However, while there’s a relationship between the two, these terms are not the same. You can have high self-esteem and still struggle with self-confidence. Similarly, it’s possible to have self-confidence with low self-esteem. So what’s the difference between the two, and how can you improve your self-esteem…

If you were to live with someone or go for a long journey that would last decades, how important would be the nature of your relationship? Wouldn’t you want to take steps to ensure that you two could get along well in a supportive and positive relationship? In the journey of life, we are often in a long relationship with ourselves — the voice inside…

One of the most important life skills is understanding how to choose what is good for oneself. When you know and pursue what is good for you, you will be in a better position to make positive changes and enjoy life. When you have a better understanding of what you would like to do and what you ought to do, balancing life becomes easier and…

“I am no good.” “What if I make a fool of myself?” “I can’t do it.” If you have had such thoughts, know that you are not alone. Everyone has a phase in life where they question their abilities and self-worth. Feeling that you are not good enough is part of the human experience, but letting self-doubt overcome you is unhealthy. How do you overcome…

Learning how to love yourself may not seem like a priority, and it’s not hard to understand why. As we’re growing up, we’re wired to think we should take care of others and treat others with love. Unfortunately, most guardians don’t emphasize the need for self-love as much. As a result, you grow up thinking that loving yourself is selfish and not something to strive…

On the surface, self-sacrifice doesn’t seem like a bad thing. When you sacrifice yourself, you help others. In addition to this, you’re considered kind, generous, and selfless. For this reason, many people have a hard time understanding why self-sacrifice isn’t a good thing. While there’s nothing wrong with being generous and coming to the aid of those you love, there’s a limit. You need to…

Self-esteem is the way you value yourself. In essence, your self-esteem implies the opinion you hold regarding your abilities and your sense of self-worth. Self-esteem can be low, high, or somehow in the middle. It encompasses beliefs and opinions about oneself. A person is likely to have healthy self-esteem if they have an appreciative and realistic judgment of themselves, their strengths, and weaknesses. Read the…

Self-esteem is important for everyone because it influences all our choices and decisions and affects every aspect of our lives, including our behavior and how we value ourselves. Low self-esteem can be a problem for a number of reasons. It causes lack of confidence and can leave you feeling defeated or depressed. People with low self-esteem often make bad choices that prevent them from living…