We all have moments of feeling low. It’s a part of human nature. At times, the pressure of wanting to fit it, succeed in life and live up to expectations, can all feel too much…physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our self-esteem taking a hit. I’ve faced many of these days. What I’ve learned is that although we might feel helpless in these situations, and out of control, we have all the power to start changing things around. Here are 5 Clever Ways to Boost Self-Esteem:
Volunteer Your Specialty
Utilize your gifts and talents to be a blessing to someone else. This is a two-fold action — a get and receive. By helping and showing kindness to others, you are taking the time to recognize your value. That’s right. You are acknowledging that you — your tools and gifts — are not for naught. What does this look like? It looks like volunteering in your local soup kitchen, cooking food for the homeless. It looks like spending time at a nearby senior living facility, playing the guitar or the piano, bringing excitement to a group of senior citizens. Or tutoring! There are plenty of children and adults alike who could benefit from you sharing knowledge of your specialty. I promise you this. Happiness is contagious. Once you see the smiles and joy of the ones you’ve helped, you are bound to feel the same way.
Be Creative
This one is the most fun! Humans have a natural instinct to create: buildings, technology, art. Regardless of what it is, there is a peace and a sense of calmness that comes with creation. Being creative is a way of expressing thoughts and feelings that might be difficult to express. It allows you the opportunity to focus on something other than what’s troubling your mind, and bringing down your self-esteem. You can be adventurous, creating something you’ve never done before! Baking has always been a fun source of creativity for me. Several years ago I decided to be daring and decorate a cake using fondant. I had never done it before and had absolutely no clue what I was doing. However, I decided to keep with it, and the end result turned out great! It didn’t taste so good, but it looked fantastic! Most importantly, I was proud of myself, and my self-esteem soared because I accomplished something I didn’t think was possible.
Yell Out Your Accomplishments
It’s amazing how easy it is for us to limit our accomplishments. How many times have you said, “Oh…it’s no big deal,” or “it was easy,” instead of acknowledging your achievement? It is important that we take the time to purposefully recognize our accomplishments in life. Yell them out! Whatever they might be. In college, it was required that I take a calculus course….only, math is not my forte. I struggled. I spent many late nights, trying to figure out the technique and theory behind different problems, and still struggled to understand what it was I was doing. Needless to say, I failed the class. I had to take the course again as a part of my major, and guess what…I still struggled. Again, I spent days, nights and weekends trying to figure things out…it was like my mind had a mental block on all things calculus. The second time around, I completed the course with a ‘D’. As an overachiever, and someone who worked really hard in school, that ‘D’ was really discouraging. Even now I get disappointed. Then I realize, I still passed. Even though the results were not what I wanted, passing that calculus class was still an accomplishment. So regardless of how small, or unworthy, your accomplishment might seem, still rejoice in them.
[Tweet ““To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” – Denis Waitley”]
Speak Words of Affirmation
This is my favorite scene from The Help. In the scene, Viola Davis’ character encourages this child to recognize that she is smart, kind, and important…this is exactly what I want you to do. I want you to wake up and say, “I am smart, I am kind, I am important.” Even if you don’t believe it. Have you ever heard the saying, fake it until you make it? You’ve gotta fake it until you make it!
In the past, body-image has been a major source of low self-esteem in my life. I constantly compared myself to what I thought was the ‘standard of beauty’. It was not until a friend encouraged me to wake up every morning and say,” I love you, you are beautiful,” that I began to speak change into my life — thus changing my perception of myself and my self-esteem. I’ve mentioned this before: our words hold power. What we say — especially to ourselves — hold the power to make or break our self-esteem. So take those words of low self-esteem that you whisper to yourself, and replace them with words of affirmation. Tell yourself that you are beautiful. Tell yourself that you love who you are, and what your stand for. Speak positivity into your life! You will get the job! You will get the promotion! Why? Because you are worthy of it!
[Tweet ““You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” – Buddha”]
Discover and Seek Your Passion
Last, but not least, discover and seek your passion. What makes you excited about life? What keeps you going each day? Do you have something that you look forward to each day, week, or month? I encourage you to discover what this is in your life. It could be a sport or activity. Following your favorite musician on tour. Or writing! Write a book or start a blog…hence, why I started The Pink Caboodle. Volunteering Your Specialty is another great example of discovering and seeking your passion. Discover your ‘happiness’, and then continue to seek it out…being active in whatever your passion is. When you feel good about what you’re doing, you feel good about yourself.
[Tweet ““When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” – Jean Shinoda Bolen”]
I’m leaving you guys with some homework! I want you to take each one of these 5 Clever Ways to Boost Self-Esteem, and figure out how you can apply them to your life. Take the time to really think about what this looks like, and how you can utilize these points to help build your spirit and self-esteem. It won’t always be easy, but I promise you, little by little, and with time, you will begin to notice that those moments of feeling ‘low’, will evolve to moments of feeling ‘joy’.
Until Next Time,
<3
I can be hard on myself about my body image, too. But it’s hard not to be, you know?
Absolutely! It can be so difficult at times…especially with all we see in the media. Like self-esteem, we need to put forth a conscious effort refute the negative comments our mind tells us, and recognize the true beauty we have in all of us…inside & out <3
I love this list, especially the idea of volunteering your talents as a way to boost your self esteem!! It’s like double positivity because you are affirming the talents you rock at AND you’re helping the recipient! Whenever I feel down, I like to prepare a great yummy meal for the family!
Exactly right!!! It goes full-circle…it also opens the opportunity to cultivate kindness in others, to pay-it-forward to someone else 🙂
great list! And love that quote from The Help. The book is better than the film though
Yess! The book was so good!!!
oh what a great list! i love this post!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Yay!! I’m glad you enjoyed it…thanks for reading <3
Thank you!!! I loved the book as well!
I need to be less critical of myself and accept that I can’t change the way I look and need to learn to love myself instead!
Why does no one like fondant? LOL I feel like I’m the only weirdo. But this was a great post! LOL
I’ma go tell myself “you is kind, you is smart, you is important” now. LOL
~ Sanaa
Right!?! I absolutely love fondant! Except this time I used way too much of it lol! Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it, xoxo
I think we could all use a boost in self esteem at times and these are some great ideas! Personally, creativity seems to boost my self esteem.
It’s an everyday struggle for me. I’m not exactly where I want to be weight wise but I am working on it. I do actually do some of the tips you posted. It works well for me.
That’s all we can do! Take one step at the time and continue to hope for the best. You’re not in this alone Brandy <3
Creativity always gives me a boost. When I take some things and put them together and make something new, even if it is not incredible I feel marvelous.
That’s the best feeling!!!
I think creativity does distract from ones low self esteem & your tip to volunteer is a great one!
Thank you!!! <3
I love that scene from the Help too. This was a great movie
Creativity makes me famous in our town. I always put my best foot in everything I’ve done in order to have a wonderful result in my outcome. Creativity really boost my self esteem.
That’s so amazing!! Good for you!! 🙂
my love language is words of affirmation so yes for me especially words of affirmation are a great way to boost self esteem. The help is one of my favorite books & movies so I love that you referenced what Abeline taught Maymobley
Never forget to love yourselves girls, use empowering words in the mornings! it helps me get through the days.
Yes!!!!! Every morning for just a minute or two. You’ve gotta say it to believe it, xoxo
I so love this. It’s really nice to be able to boost your self esteem from time to time especially when you’re feeling down. Thanks for the tips! Those are definitely effective!
I’m glad they’re helpful!! Thanks a bunch for reading!!
Fantastic post…such great information for us all. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE these ideas. I can be so hard on myself and it can take such a toll on my self-esteem. These are great ways to boost it!
I need to work on sharing more my accomplishments. Great post, I feel energized by it
Awww that makes me so happy! Yes girl, yell em out!!!
The Help is one of my favorite books. I have affirmation cards that I keep on my desk. Each morning I read a new one and it helps to start my day off!
This is such a great post! So many great reminders that despite what flaws we may think we have, there are so many positive things about ourselves, as well. Being creative and having a project turn out exactly as I wanted it to in my head always gives me a nice boost in confidence!
It’s one of the best feelings! And for the times where things don’t go as smoothly, it’s great knowing that you bounced back, and still landed on you feet!
Another list to take note of. In times we have right now, we are so pre-occupied with every thing around us. Sometimes we forget to be ourselves and enjoy what we have. As a Mom, my time functions around the family, my kids and their well-being. There are times I need to step out and do some thing for myself and recharge. Thanks for this.
You are so right! Sometimes I feel selfish, but the fact is if I can’t take care of myself first, how can I take care of others? Like the instructions in a plane safety manual lol ?
I like the whole speak words of affirmation but I have to say I hate those “you is smart” memes. It teaches wrong grammar which in a way would derail the child being more confident when someone corrects them and the like. I do love this post though because I know that it will work once applied.
I like the whole speak words of affirmation but I have to say I hate those “you is smart” memes. It teaches wrong grammar which in a way would derail the child being more confident when someone corrects them and the like. I do love this post though because I know that it will work once applied.
Haha I hear ya. I think it’s important to remember though that the book and movie took place in an era of racial segregation…and schooling. So while it may be incorrect, that’s how people spoke because they didn’t know any better, and they weren’t afforded the right or opportunity to learn the difference.
Just printed this to add to my wall of inspiration.
Thanks! Sometimes a little bit of guidance can go a long way!
aww Char! That makes me so happy! Thank you for reading <3
I think speaking words of affirmation is a great idea. Reminding yourself of the truth is a good exercise. Thanks for a great post!
Quoted from you “recognize the true beauty we have in all of us…inside & out <3"
what more can I say? maybe lets embrace our flaws and bring out the best in us 🙂
Yess!!! And in others ?
What an amazing list! I agree do something you’ve never done before and make impossible possible are really such important things that can cost our self-esteem and stimulate your creative side! My life motto is Just do It!
Yes! Be like Nike and just do it! I love that!!! Thanks so much for reading, xoxo
It’s important to build up self-esteem in our children. Not much hurts a mama more than to see their child not feeling good enough!
Rosey, you are so right! It’s important that we encourage and build our children up….but it starts with ourselves…we are living examples for them. What they see us doing, and how we perceive ourselves, has a huge influence on thems as well…
You are so beautiful Maya, its all about believing in yourself and know that you can do whatever you put your mind to doing. It just takes lots of patience and work. Nothing comes easy..
Aw thanks so much Nicole! <3
I love this, some great things ot remember. The quote from Help! “you is kind, you is smart, you is important” is one of my favourite
My favorite point made from this list is the importance of being creative. I have always believed that everyone has untapped creativity just waiting to be discovered…and it can be so fulfilling in a life.
I love the yell out loud one! While I’ve never done it, it sure sounds like fun and would bring a smile to my face!
“Speak Words of Affirmation” I speak things into existence as much as I can. If I want a positive day, I speak it into existence and also do what I can to keep positivity at a high
Great tips
Finding your passion and your talents is what makes you feel special, therefore your self esteem is boosted. Thank you for this amazing post!
Zaria
Your post really helped me a lot. Thanks for the informative post.
Wow! super interesting tips! thanks for all the great ideas!Will definitely try these out!
This is a great post! Thank you for the reminder to love myself and not be afraid to celebrate my accomplishments! It is ok!
I need to do all these to motivate myself.. Great to boost our own self esteem always.. Thanks for your post..
These are great tips! I really need to work on acknowledging my accomplishments. Sometimes I’m so focused on the next goal that I never stop and take a look at all I’ve done so far. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
These are great. It can be so hard to shout out our accomplishments because as women we’re raised to be quiet and nice and not to make a big fuss. I say shout it out and be proud of yourself!
These are such great ways to improve self esteem!! I really need to work on these. Thanks for sharing!!
I’ve really honed in on using words of affirmation lately. I feel like if I can’t convince myself that I’m capable then no one can.
Ha! I loved the scene of Viola Davis’! And I’m a strong believer in the sentence “You’ve gotta fake it until you make it! ”
A really inspiring post, keep ’em coming 😉