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What Do You Think about Your Self-Esteem?

by Kalinda Rose Stevenson

Six Perspectives on the Topic of Self-Esteem

Self-esteem has become a hot topic in recent years. This means that there are many claims and opinions about the topic. Some people claim that high self-esteem is the essential factor for living a happy and successful life. Others claim that focusing on self-esteem gets in the way of living a happy and successful life. This is just the tip of the iceberg on claims about self-esteem.

Consider these six articles. Each brings a unique focus to the broad-ranging topic of self-esteem. Each perspective gives wise insights without attempting to cram the idea of self-esteem into a one-size-fits-all statement. This is why considering self-esteem from different perspectives can be life-changing.

  • What is self-esteem? Do you have high self-esteem, low self-esteem, or does your level of self-esteem depend on your circumstances?

    Stanley J. Gross, Ed.D provides an insighful look at these questions and how you can change your self-esteem in How To Raise Your Self-Esteem. 

  • Have you ever considered that low self-esteem can wear different faces? These “faces” can hide feelings of low-esteem behind Imposter, Rebel, or Victim faces.

    This is a particularly interesting observation in Self-Esteem from The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) at the University of Texas at Austin.

  • Do you know the signs and symptoms of low self-esteem? One common sign of low self-esteem in negative self-talk.

    In Self-Esteem, GoodTherapy.org claims that many people with low self-esteem talk this way about themselves without realizing that most of the negative self-talk is inaccurate.   

  • Do you want to know 6 quick-tips on how to improve your self-esteem? These do-it-yourself tips don’t require therapy, counseling, or self-analysis. The first tip is “Gain Control of Yourself” by not being critical of yourself to others.

    Read Quick Tips to Help Improve Self-Esteem from SkillsYouNeed for these wise and self-affirming tips.

  • What if the quest for self-esteem is misguided and pointless? Consider the claim by Kristin Neff, a psychology professor at the University of Texas, that the effort to raise your self-esteem actually has a negative effect on your life.

    In this interview of Neff by Olga Khazan of  The Atlantic, she explains Why Self-Compassion Works Better Than Self-Esteem

  • The renowned Mayo Clinic includes a significant aspect of self-esteem that goes beyond the usual range of topics on self-esteem as a learned behavior within families.  It identifies seven factors that shape and influence self-esteem.

    In Self-Esteem Check: Too Low or Just Right?, the Mayo Clinic includes the effect on self-esteem by societal factors such as religion, disability, and status.

    [Original Post November 11, 2016]

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