Your Self-Esteem: Are You the Problem? Articles | Self Esteem

People with low self-esteem typically like to assign blame on others for their condition. It is very easy for them to do this. Yet they rarely consider that they could be the ones attacking their own self-esteem. If you suffer from low self-esteem, ask yourself if you are the problem. Evaluate your condition against the following:

Are You Down on Yourself Quite Often?

Are you your own worst enemy when it comes to being hard on yourself? Are you more critical of yourself than others are on you? Are your expectations higher on yourself than on any of the others who you have relationships with? Do you oftentimes have negative thoughts about yourself even when no one else or you are saying them verbally?

Do You Place Any Value on Yourself?

If you are suffering from low self-esteem you have a low opinion of your own self-worth. This typically manifests itself as lack of self care, not having the proper diet, and not getting any physical exercise. Also, if you have low self-esteem, you will feel very guilty if you take a day off from your responsibilities and do something to make you feel better or have fun.

Are you Happy at All or Do You Have a Hard Time Being Happy?

The person with low self-esteem typically is never happy with anything. You’ll hear things like, “I hate my car, I hate my job, I wish my wife would help me, I wish my kids would be good” and other expressions of hating one’s condition. And when these people get finished hating everything around them, they turn that hatred on themselves.

Do You Stay Busy Rather Than Focus on Relationships?

The person with low self-esteem tries to suppress the turmoil and anxiety of having to learn how to have healthy relationships by staying extremely busy. They will sink their time into working extra on the job, kids’ activities, community volunteer activities, and church service. Doing these all the time leaves no time to deal with relationships and all the dynamics involved with them.

Do You Steer Away from Having Intimate Relationships?

Do you find yourself backing out from relationships with some depth because you don’t feel like you deserve or have the worth to be loved or happy? Do you avoid talking about what makes you happy, what you want, or what you hope for in your life? Do you always play the martyr and designate that what you want and what would make you happy must take second place? Do you avoid getting too close with anyone—anyone at all?

When is the Last Time You Took Care of Your Appearance?

When is the last time you put some makeup on or fixed your hair when you went out to work, the store, or wherever? Are you one who believes that there is no use in improving your appearance because you don’t deserve it or you fear the change looking good would bring?

Of course answering yes to one or more of these questions could be an indicator that you are suffering from low self-esteem. Your low self-esteem is more than likely crippling all of your personal relationships plus making your quality of life miserable. It could be that you don’t try new things, don’t have close family relationships, have no confidence, and look like a mess all the time. Take the first step and acknowledge your low self-esteem and take action to recover from it today!