Self-esteem, the perception and value we assign ourselves, plays a profound role in shaping our mental and emotional well-being. When bolstered, a healthy self-esteem acts as a sturdy foundation, fostering resilience, confidence, and a positive outlook on life. Conversely, low self-esteem can become an obstacle, casting doubt on our abilities, decisions, relationships, and worth.
Experiencing low self-esteem may be a singular issue, or may co-exist with other mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma. People with low self-esteem may experience:
Higher levels of emotional distress, including feelings of inadequacy
Unhealthy relationship patterns, like codependency and tolerating mistreatment
Self-doubt, fear of failure, and difficulty making decisions
Need for reassurance and validation from others
Low motivation and difficulty taking risks or applying themselves
Difficulty managing stress, feeling overwhelmed easily
Fear of rejection
Lack of self-awareness
Overcommitting to plans and obligations
Low self-esteem and having difficult setting and maintaining boundaries often go hand-in-hand. Individuals may have the following issues with boundaries:
Difficulty saying no and fear of disappointing others
People-pleasing behavior
Trouble knowing and asserting needs
Tolerance of disrespect
Continued seeking of external validation
Fear of conflict and avoidance of confrontation
Difficulty ending unhealthy relationships
Therapy is a great place to better understand yourself and where self-esteem issues may have been rooted, and to start learning new ways of being that will bolster self-esteem and begin to learn how to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Therapy for self-esteem and boundaries may encourage:
Self-exploration to identify past experiences that may have contributed to the development of self-esteem
Building awareness of how self-esteem impacts functioning in daily life
Identifying how current behaviors and avoidance might maintain narratives surrounding self-worth
Cultivation of self-compassion, encouraging acceptance instead of self-criticism
Identifying and asserting needs in relationships
Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries
Exploration of interpersonal relationships and their impact on self-esteem
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