Self Esteem: Simple Steps to Build Your Confidence. Gael Lindenfield

Because they are often so relaxed and we sense that we have full permission to be ourselves. They will not need us to be something that we are not in order to make themselves feel superior or to impress anyone else who may be around.

      Safe. Because they will never use bullying tactics to make themselves feel more in control. Our sense of security is enhanced because we know where we stand with them. We trust that they they will give us honest and direct feedback and do not fear any rumblings under the carpet. Knowing that they have a strong survival instinct and are prepared to fight courageously when under threat, we willingly depend on them. We can rest assured that they will readily take the lead and assertively defend anyone’s rights in the event of injustice or abuse.

      Valued. Because they tend to show appreciation for each individual’s strengths, efforts and achievements. They do not demand that we are mirror images of them and will actively show respect for our views and values even though these may be very different from their own. Because they are so aware and accepting of their own shortcomings, they do not expect us to be perfect, so we feel we can be both unconditionally liked and loved.

      Stimulated. Because they are brilliant and inspiring role-models. Their energy and enthusiasm is highly infectious, so that being with them kindles potential in us that we may never have even dreamed we had. Indeed, in their presence we often feel our courage and motivation grow as our own self-esteem is spontaneously rekindled and nourished.

      So although high self-esteem is essentially an internal psychological event, it also can exert a powerfully beneficial effect on the external environment. But of course (as most of us can testify from our own everyday uncomfortable experiences), the reverse is also unfortunately true. People who have low self-esteem not only consistently sabotage their own health, welfare and happiness, but they also frequently exert a depressing and sometimes highly detrimental effect on the world around them.

      Let’s remind ourselves of the negative cycle of low self-esteem attitudes and behaviour.

       Why Do Some People Have More Self-esteem than Others?

      I firmly believe that we all start off in life with the same potential for good self-esteem. How many babies and young toddlers have you met who appear to be thinking negatively about themselves?! Unfortunately, we all know how quickly the picture soon changes. By the time the children are ready for school, the differences between each one’s self-esteem are noticeably marked.

      It would appear that the seeds of our self-esteem begin to grow and develop as soon as we begin to experience a sense of ourselves as individuals. Typically it then embarks on a roller-coaster ride, being cultivated and strengthened one day only to be knocked back and diminished the next. The kind of childhood we experience is particularly important, because it is then that our basic personality traits and habits are formed.

      Let’s look for a moment at some of the ways children’s natural propensity to feel good about being themselves may be threatened in the course of everyday life. I have listed below some examples which I have either experienced personally or have heard related to me. You can use this list as a checklist for yourself. As you are reading you could make a note of any of your own special memories as this could be useful to refer to when you begin to do the practical work in later sections.

      I form a negative belief in myself that I am not an OK human being …

      I begin to feel sensations of coldness, heaviness and tension in my body …

      I have devaluing thoughts about myself, e.g. I am unlovable – I am unworthy of success – I am stupid, etc …

      I begin to experience a loss of self-confidence and feel pessimistic …

      I find that I am losing trust in people and the world around me …

      I form the belief that it is unlikely that the world will ever be able to meet my needs or give me happiness …

      I stop bothering to try to get my needs met or achieve success …

      I become aware that I am actually much less happy and successful than some other people around me …

      I allow other people who I perceive as more powerful to take advantage of me …

      I begin to silently resent others who are more successful and powerful and wish them ill …

      I judge myself to be a ‘nasty’ person for having such thoughts …

      I begin to behave in ways which are self-punitive and self-destructive, e.g. sacrificing myself to others in an attempt to gain their esteem …

      I look in the mirror and see the results of continually abusing myself and being abused by others …

      I reinforce my belief that I am not an OK human being …

      Then – I begin to experience the low self-esteem cycle all over again …

      Low Self-esteem Experience

WHAT DECREASES CHILDREN’S SELF-ESTEEM?

      

not having their basic needs adequately met. This may be especially so when they notice that others may be receiving much better love, care and sustenance (for example: younger brothers and sisters are getting more attention, or different races and classes are receiving privileges and a high standard of living while they are deprived of their basic right to adequate food and shelter).

      

having their feelings persistently ignored or denied. For example: a parent not responding to a cry for help or noticing the look of joy or worry on their faces – or saying, ‘You shouldn’t be sad about that, it’s only … you ought to be excited.’

      

being put-down, ridiculed or humiliated. Children can be robbed of self-esteem just for being their genetically inherited natural selves or being a certain age. (For example: ‘You’re just a baby still’;