Our self belief - and therefore our self esteem is based around how we think, feel and behave. The following are examples of thoughts, feelings and behaviour which suggest a low level of self esteem and as a consequence, an imbalanced approach to life.
People with low self esteem tend to:
THOUGHTS
- Not believe themselves to be worthy
- Feel undeserving
- Have little or no self respect
- Not be able to change or ‘make things happen’
- Feel like a failure and powerless to do any better
- Feel like a victim
- Be unable to accept compliments easily
FEELINGS
- Dislike themselves and can become defensive when questioned
- Be uptight and demonstrate either self doubt or arrogance
- Be devastated by criticism
- Be unforgiving of their own mistakes and critical of the mistakes of others
- Have an imbalanced and negative approach to life
- Feel demotivated and unable to see a clear path for improvement
- Feel insecure or inadequate and worry about what others think
- Feel complacent about their current situation
- Put the needs of others before their own
BEHAVIOUR
- Be indecisive
- Communicate poorly
- Criticise others to bolster themselves
- Not be able to ask for help if they need it
- Are threatened by the success and achievements of others
- Are unable to take risks
- Find it hard to say ‘No’
- Be incapable of showing their feelings openly
- Be arrogant or overly forceful to overcompensate
People with low self esteem tend to avoid challenges and opportunities. They can be overly dependent on others but also put the needs of others before their own. They can be indecisive and self critical which can lead to more serious conditions such as depression. People with low self esteem can feel powerless and like a failure – undeserving of anything more positive in their lives.
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Self
Esteem 