It’s the time of year again when seasonal depression is abundant and self-esteem is at an all-time low. Self-esteem can be defined as confidence in one’s own worth or abilities. Self-esteem is arguably one of the most important aspects of mental health because the way one feels about themselves consumes who they are. That is why there is no better time than now for a month dedicated to boost self-esteem. 

Having low self-esteem can lead to anxiety, depression and an overall negative mindset. It can affect people daily and cause them to lose the joy of the little things in life. Wallowing in one’s own misery while watching hours of television may seem to push away negative feelings, but there are countless better ways to feel better about oneself.

First of all, getting rid of comparisons can help boost self-esteem. The saying “comparison is the thief of joy” is not unknown, but it is very true. Comparing ourselves with other people leads to feelings of insufficiency, but we are not in this world to be someone else. We are here to be who we are; there is nothing wrong with being different. If we desire to change ourselves, then we can change, but we should not change for anyone else; we should do it to better ourselves. 

Second, focusing on positives rather than negatives can boost self-esteem. Messing up is inevitable. It’s going to happen, but we can choose to focus on what went or is well. Acknowledge we mess up, learn from it, and then point out positives. A mindset like this can help keep us positive and boost self-esteem. Balance out the negative thoughts with better or encouraging ones to reach equanimity. 

Third, taking care of ourselves helps boost self-esteem. Taking a break and doing things that we like can make us feel better about ourselves. Reading a book, watching a movie, eating chocolate, taking bubble baths, playing sports, painting something, listening to music and many other things are very simple actions, but they can go a long way. In doing these, we allow ourselves to relax and do something that feels comfortable to us. 

Fourthly, telling ourselves encouraging things helps boost self-esteem. Telling ourselves discouraging things takes a toll on self-esteem. Instead of doubting ourselves and our abilities, we need to tell ourselves sweet and positive things. Replace “I can’t do it,” with “I can do it, and even if I don’t, I am still loved.”

Just making these four simple changes can help boost self-esteem. Remember that the way we view ourselves is very important, and we should always strive to be as content with ourselves as possible. Being content with ourselves reflects in our lives by allowing us to live with less doubts and insecurities.