Everyone has times where they feel good about themselves, and times when they feel less good. If your self-esteem is high, you’re more likely to see yourself in a positive light most of the time. If it’s low, you are more likely to view yourself negatively.
But everyone is different - so even if you feel less good about yourself, this doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. The most important thing to know is that some things can help you feel more positive.
When your self-esteem is low, you think negatively about you own abilities and worth. The more often you have these thoughts, the lower your self-esteem is likely to be.
Some common causes of low self-esteem include:
Self-esteem isn’t fixed, and everyone will have different levels of confidence. If you have lower self-esteem, signs might include:
Build positive self-esteem may take a little time. Try talking to a parent or a carer you trust about getting support.
Some simple exercises can help you explore ideas of self-esteem.
>> Useful to help identify positive things about yourself.
Keeping a diary can help you identify daily successes and things that have gone well. When we feel bad about ourselves, we often forget to notice these things.
Try answering some of the questions below:
>> Useful for looking at using social media in a healthy way.
Have a chat with a parent, carer or trusted adult about whether social media has ever made you feel less confident. Together, it might be useful to think about: