There are 5 components of Self Esteem: Self-confidence, Self-value, Self-Respect, Self-Care, Self-Reflection

           We have all heard people refer to someone’s self-esteem, usually when it’s poor and negatively affecting that person’s life. We ask and say things like “Why do they have low self-esteem?”, “She needs to just look in the mirror and tell her self how beautiful she is”, it’s that simple right? NO! Self-esteem is much deeper than that. So what exactly does self-esteem mean? Self-esteem is the assumptions we make about ourselves based on the way we see or treat ourselves, the way other people see or treats us, the world’s imagery of the traits we possess, and personal experiences. Self- esteem is comprised of 5 major components: self-confidence, self-value, self-respect, self-care, and self-refection. All five components are important for self-image and therefore self- esteem.

         Let’s break them down. Self-confidence is a feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment. An example is that you try new tasks knowing that you have the capabilities to get through them. Self- value is the opinion you have about yourself and the value you place on yourself. An example of self-value is your belief that you are a good person who deserves good things. Self-respect is a high regard and pride in oneself, or a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity. An example is “I want to work again to keep up my self-respect.” Self-care is the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health rather physical or mental. An example is that you take an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness. Self- reflection is meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives. An example is practicing self-development to improve the things about yourself that you would like to change. Self-esteem can be positive or negative. Someone who has a positive sense of self-esteem sees themselves in a favorable way. They are comfortable with who they are, what they have achieved, and how they appear physically or mentally to others. This doesn’t mean that they are perfect, it just means they are happy with who they are.

        In contrast, someone who has negative self-esteem sees themselves in an unfavorable way. They tend to be overly critical of their appearance, thoughts or personal and professional abilities, and are generally unhappy with themselves.

What Causes Low Self-Esteem?

        It is difficult to outline all of the possible causes that could contribute to someone developing low self-esteem especially because we are so different from one another. But here are a few scenarios that I believe contribute to lowered self-esteem.

• World Image. The world has many ways of influencing the way we feel about ourselves. Rather it’s through magazines, television, social media, or history books. We are given a bird’s eye view of how the world views the traits that we poses, so if you’re short, plus size women with short hair that comes from a poor family you probably have lower self-esteem compared to a Victoria secret model who comes from a rich family.
• Self- Image. Someone with a poor self-image will perceive themselves very negatively. These negative self-images will make that person question everything about themselves, lowering their confidence in their own thoughts and actions, and making them doubtful of their capabilities and ideas.
• Experience. Experience can shape the way you see yourself. Someone who has been treated poorly by family, friends or the world can have a difficult time seeing themselves as worthy of love, affecting their self-esteem. 
• Personal knowledge. Knowledge can come from a variety of sources including education. Someone who is not knowledgeable will have difficulty interacting with others. When they realize that their level of knowledge is inferior, they will start to feel inferior themselves.
• Financial situation. Someone who is financially challenged may compare themselves to people who are financially stable and thereby feel less capable and inferior.
• Bulling and criticism. Someone who is bullied or criticized on things such as their appearance, sexual orientation, academic capabilities , or mental/emotional stability can develop a negative self-image of themselves that can follow them into adulthood.
• Self-Care. One of the biggest factors of low self-esteem is how you treat yourself. For example someone who truly loves and takes care of themselves will most likely have better overall experiences because they will implement standards and boundaries in their lives resulting in higher self-esteem; compared to someone who does not value themselves who will on the opposite side allow mistreatment from others resulting in lowered self-esteem.

How Can Self-Esteem be improved?

        Self-esteem can be improved by working towards creating an overall better view of yourself because although there are many factors that contribute to lowered self-esteem the main and most important factor is yourself, hence the word SELF. You are the only person who can alter how you view yourself and implement the plan to gaining higher self-esteem. How the world or others view you will no longer matter as long as you love yourself. They will also have to love you if you demand that as currency to gain access to your spaces. You control your being and who is allowed to affect the treatment of such being. Remember that power and set standards, boundaries, expectations and understanding to the people you allow in your space. You also have to be mindful of what you expose yourself to on a daily basis. Remove the environments and people who do not allow for you to gain higher self-esteem. Improve the aspects of your life that you will like to change and also strive to be your definition of the best person you can be. Click here to head to the homework to improve your self-esteem.