Here are the low self-esteem causes chipping away at your self-worth and how to fix them.
Your self-esteem is like a plant. The more you nurture it with good habits, the greater it becomes.
I know we all have our moments of self-doubt and insecurity, but let’s be real—nobody has time for that negativity. If you’re tired of feeling like your self-esteem is taking a nosedive, then this post is for you.
You’re about to identify seven sneaky habits that chip away at your self-worth (and how to tackle them).
So, how do you know that you have low self-esteem? What habits pinch away at your self-esteem? I’m about to dish out some tough love to reclaim your self-confidence and stop second-guessing everything you do. Let’s get started.
1. Poor Boundaries
Boundaries are like fences. They ensure that only the right people can come in through your gate when you want them to.
But when you don’t set or keep to your boundaries, you end up feeling exploited, frustrated, and unimportant.
You need to set boundaries and stick to them. Build ethics and working guidelines, and learn to say no when necessary. It’s also important to surround yourself with people who respect your values and boundaries.
2. Self-Comparison
We live in a world dominated by social media, and everyone seems perfect and successful.
This makes self-comparison a not-so-obvious sign of low self-esteem. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself with someone you think is happier, prettier, or more successful.
But not everything you see on social media is real. Constantly comparing yourself to others will heighten self-loathing and make you run a futile race towards perfection.
Everyone has different abilities, so focus on your strengths. Work on your weaknesses and celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Recite daily self-affirmations to become confident in your looks and abilities.
3. Perfectionism
I’m a recovering perfectionist and can tell you that the constant need to be perfect can make you anxious, stressed, and burnt out.
While it has its upsides, a downside is that it can lower your self-esteem. When you get feedback or corrections, you might start to feel like you’re not good enough.
Perfection is an illusion, and no one is perfect. You don’t have to dwell on your mistakes or how you think they make you unworthy. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s fine to receive feedback. All you need to do is strive for progress, not perfection.
Free Self-Confidence Worksheet
Want to become the most confident version of yourself and shine like the light you are?
4. Toxic Relationships
Being in toxic relationships will quickly beat down your self-confidence.
When you’re surrounded by toxic people who say negative things to you, your self-esteem starts to chip away as you begin to believe them. Sometimes, you blame yourself for their destructive behavior.
Motivate yourself daily with positive affirmations. Surround yourself with people who light up your world. I’m talking about people who are kind and supportive of your goals and give constructive criticism.
5. People-Pleasing
People-pleasing is another habit that can lower your self-esteem, and it starts with being unable to say no to the requests of others.
When you constantly put the needs of others before your own, you can lose sight of your own values and trust yourself less.
You think about how a certain person’s feelings will be hurt if you do something you like. What about your feelings?
Don’t deny yourself your true interests. It’s your life, and you should come first. Learn to prioritize your own needs and say no when necessary.
6. Self-Doubt
Self-doubt results from a lack of confidence and a dash of indecisiveness.
If you constantly criticize everything you do, seek validation from others, or let them decide for you, it’ll become hard for you to trust yourself.
To overcome self-doubt, you need to intentionally make decisions and follow through with them, even if you feel uncertain. Another thing is to focus on your strengths and relive past successes to build your confidence.
7. Poor Self-Image
Feeling undeserving of good things comes with a negative self-image. When people praise you, it’s hard for you to take the credit.
Now, don’t confuse this with humility. More often than not, it’s a reflection of your level of self-worth. A poor self-image also makes you project your self-criticism onto others and imagine that they are judging you.
The truth is that no matter how amazing you are, people will find something to fault. So, tell yourself that the opinions of others about you don’t matter. Then, take intentional actions to treat yourself with compassion. Your physical appearance, qualifications, or gossip don’t determine your worth.
In Summary: 7 Fixes for Sneaky Low Self-Esteem Causes
Self-esteem is crucial for building a happy, fulfilled life. But sometimes, we get carried away, and certain things creep in and become habits that reduce our self-confidence.
By identifying and tackling these 7 habits above, you’ll reclaim your self-esteem and become a happy, progressive version of yourself.
While it takes time and effort to break these habits, you’ll eventually build a strong and positive sense of self with consistent practice and self-reflection.
