How to Develop Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It's based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can sometimes feel really difficult to change. Your self-esteem can affect whether you: like and value yourself as a person, you are able to make decisions and assert yourself, recognise your strengths and positives, feel able to try new or difficult things, show kindness towards yourself. move past mistakes without blaming yourself unfairly, take the time you need for yourself, believe you matter and are good enough and believe you deserve happiness.

Your self-esteem might change suddenly, or you might have had low self-esteem for a while​ which might make it hard to recognise how you feel and make changes. Difficult or stressful life experiences can often be a factor, such as: being bullied or abuse, experiencing prejudice, discrimination or stigma, losing your job or difficulty finding employment, problems at work or while studying, ongoing stres, physical health problem, mental health problems, relationship roblems, separation or divorce, worries about your appearance and body image and problems with money or housing.This are eight steps which you can use to develop self esteem: Be mindful, Change the story, Avoid falling into the compare-and-despair rabbit hole, Channel your inner rock star, Exercise, Do unto others, Forgiveness and Remember that you are not your circumstances.