Self-Esteem

Why is Self-Esteem Important?

• Self-esteem is important because it can affect:– Your mental health– How you behave– Your decisions– Your friendships– Your success– Your life

What is Self-Esteem?

• Self Esteem:– How you feel about yourself– How much you feel you are worth– How much you feel other people

value you

What influences a person’s self-esteem?

• Puberty and Development– Not everyone grows at the same time

or the same way

• Media Images– Avoid comparisons with celebrities

• Family and Friends– Sometimes they are too focused on

how you look and start criticizing

Low Self-Esteem• A person who has low self-esteem feels

bad about themselves and has no confidence.

• “I can’t do it” attitude

People with Low Self-Esteem:• Feel unhappy and miserable• Feel that they are not as good as others• Have no confidence in themselves• Feel tired most of the time• Do not want to do anything active• Look at the worst side of everything• Hard time forgiving their mistakes• Have no respect for themselves• Put themselves down even when someone

is complimenting them– Ex.) “You look pretty today.” “No, I do not. You

are just saying that to be nice.”

How you get low self-esteem• By telling yourself how bad, ugly, stupid, etc.

you are• By disliking yourself• By hanging around by yourself or with other

people who tease you• By thinking that mistakes only happen to you• By thinking that no one likes you• By thinking about all the bad things that have

happened in your life• By not doing anything you enjoy doing or are

good at• By listening to and believing others who tell

you bad things about yourself

Effects of Low Self-Esteem• Distorted emotions and

feelings• Difficulty in trusting

people• Fear of trying new things• Panic attacks• Give up on dreams• Self-defeating behavior• Negative and critical

about themselves• Complainers &

Criticizers• Friends do not want to

“hang out” anymore

High Self-Esteem

• A person who has high self-esteem feels good about themselves and feels confident.

• “I think I can” attitude

People with High Self-Esteem

• Feel happy• Believe in themselves• Are OK with themselves as a person• Look forward to a good future• Are energetic and hopeful• Are confident• Like joining in with others• Are happy with each success• Look for ways to succeed• Don’t worry about how others will judge

them

How you get high self-esteem• Like yourself and make the most of your good

features

• Join in with others

• Try something new and practice so you can feel confident in your ability

• Set short-term goals and reach them

• Say “thank you” when you get a compliment and feel PROUD of your efforts

• Accept mistakes

• Be happy with who you are

• Be a happy person and you will make more friends!

• Hang out with positive people and not those who criticize you

Effects of High Self-Esteem

• Successful

• Happy

• Fun to be around - Have more friends (magnet)

• Trustworthy

• Full of life

What Can You Do?

• Strive to increase your self-esteem• Listen to the positives and ignore the

negatives• Celebrate your successes!• Do not expect perfection.• Forgive yourself for your mistakes.• Stop putting yourself down.• Do not compare yourself with others.• List your accomplishments.• Accept compliments and give

compliments

Be Involved• Another way you can boost up your self-

esteem is by participating in extracurricular activities. Have a passion for something:– Music– Sports– Art– Dance– UIL

• Find something you can excel in and this will help you feel better about yourself.

• REMEMBER: Do YOUR best for YOURSELF and no one else!

What if I still have a low self-esteem?

• SEEK HELP.

• Talk to a counselor, supportive parent, or religious leader who can help you boost up your self-esteem.

Quotes to Remember

• You become which you think about most.

• “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent” – Eleanor Roosevelt

• There are two different people in the world. One that says “I wish I had” and the one that says, “I am glad I did”. Remember you can have anything in this world if you just believe in yourself!

Final Thought

• You are a unique individual. No one else is like you in the whole world. You are special!

• "Hero" sung by Mariah Carey

Video Clips

• Lion King Clip

Activity: I AM POEM

• Write a poem using the first letters of your name to describe yourself positively.

• I AM– Modest– Attractive– Responsible– Intelligent– Successful– Original– Loyal