Low self-esteem can be especially impactful combined with the diagnosis of depression. Issues with self-esteem can affect one’s level of depressed mood, at the same time, if one is battling depression, issues with self-worth can come creeping up.
Low self-esteem is something that many of us struggle with for a myriad of reasons and can be deeply rooted. However, there is hope! There are things that you can do when suffering from low self-esteem, even when depression is present
1. Start Your Day with Positivity
You must start each day positively. Doing so will help your mind to recognize good, especially the good in yourself habitually. Surround yourself with positivity in the form of music, books, calendars, computer wallpaper, etc. You can even sign up for a service that will send you funny memes or cute animal videos each day. Feeling good at the beginning of the day will set a tone and help you be positive throughout.
2. Check your Negative Thinking
Negative thinking is the driving force for both low self-esteem and depression. It’s simple, the more negatively you think about yourself and the world around you, the harder it will be to see your true self. B Negative thoughts have a way to continue to loop in our minds like a boomerang post on Instagram.
- Take these thoughts into consideration
- What is the evidence to support my thought?
- Would my tribe support this thought as fact or fiction?
- How does this thought serve me?
If the answer to those questions does not lead you to the unshakable truth that your thoughts are 1000% valid, you may need to change them. Affirmations can help, but these need to be solid statements that truly speak to who you are.
If the answer to those questions does not lead you to the unshakable truth that your thoughts are 1000% valid, you may need to change them. Affirmations can help, but these need to be solid statements that truly speak to who you are.
For example, perhaps the man you have been dating and loving broke it off. Your thoughts may sound like, “I’m unlovable” or “I will never find a man.” You will now replace that thought with positive factual thinking, something simple like, “I embody everything that I believe is love” or “I am being prepared for the man that my higher power has for me, and I will continue to date with a positive attitude.”
You will have bad days, and times when you must grow from where you are. You are perfect and flawed, all at the same time. It’s beautiful and so are you.
3. Treat Yourself Well
Simply put, when you ask yourself do I deserve to treat myself to blank the answer is YES! It is now your responsibility to give yourself all the love and support that you may feel that you are lacking. And it is important that you do so abundantly. Once you get in the habit of treating yourself well, you will (no longer) be accustomed to people treating you anything less than well.
4. Seek Positive Support
It is of great import that you have a tribe! Whether it is your partner, your closest girlfriends, or your work crew, you need it! Always and in always! Multiply that need times 100 if you are suffering from low self-esteem and/or depression. It is perfectly normal to have a cheerleader who can tell us that we are ok, especially when we don’t feel like it. One of our basic human needs is to belong and to have people around us. Therefore, never feel like you are weak or unable to handle your life if you need others. We all do! Welcome to being a human being sugar!
5. Start a practice around being positive
There is a high chance that those of us who struggle with lower self-esteem, do not make positivity a regular part of our day. In sessions, clients tell me all of the time what kind of negative thinking they involved themselves in. Meanwhile, when I explain things like positive affirmations and positive self-talk, they look at me funny or ask me if I am asking them to do something that is against their religious beliefs. So being negative is somehow ‘grounding’ while being positive may somehow be related to witchcraft. The human brain is tricky that way! Earlier in the blog post, I spoke about starting your day with positivity, but how about not stopping in the morning, maybe adopting something in the evening? As I was binging on the Shahs of Sunset (judge me if you will), one of the castmates had a timer that went off in regular intervals all day to remind him to say positive affirmations. Brilliant! Maybe you can do something similar.
Increasing your self-esteem isn’t easy, but if you practice these tips, you will be able to chip away at the negative self-talk every day.
Need help with your self-esteem? If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact us today. We would be happy to speak with you about how we may be able to help.
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