Self-Esteem and Self- Confidence

"You can't touch it, but it affects how you feel. You can't see it, but it's there when you look at yourself in the mirror. You can't hear it, but it's there every time you talk about yourself"
- Kidshealth.org

Self-esteem is the importance or value you place on yourself. It is how you see yourself and how you feel about your achievements. It is about how much you feel valued, loved, and accepted. Self-esteem is not bragging about how great you are or thinking that you are perfect. Self-esteem is knowing that you're worth a lot and that you're worthy of being loved and accepted.

We all experience problems with self-esteem at certain times in our lives, especially during our teen years when we are figuring out who we are and where we fit in. Remember, self-esteem is NOT fixed for life, you can always improve it.

Here are some tips...

• Look for a role model (someone who is confident in themselves) and learn from them. What is it that they do that makes them confident, how do they act?
• Focus on your achievements rather than your failures. If you do find yourself thinking about how you failed then look at what you managed to do right and how you could correct what you did next time.
• When you do feel good about yourself, acknowledge that feeling. Try to do at least one thing every day that makes you feel good about yourself.
• Act self confident! You will feel more confident.
• Focus on who you are and what you like about yourself
• Reward yourself when you succeed no matter how small the achievement.
• Be yourself and accept that life is not a race against others.

If you are in a relationship and your partner puts you down here are some things you can do:

• Stand up for yourself, let your partner know that what they have said has hurt your feelings. Let them know that you have respect for yourself and expect others to do the same.
• Ask why your partner is treating you this way and why they think it is OK to treat you like that.
• Be consistent. If you have spoken to your partner and they have agreed to stop putting you down, but the behavior continues, remind them that you have already asked them to stop and they agreed to do so. Tell them that you are not going to put up with it anymore. Show strength and confidence in yourself and your decisions.
• Consider the possibility of ending the relationship. If your partner will not respect you, no matter what you say to them or how many chances you have given him or her, accept the fact that their behavior is unlikely to change and that you deserve to be with someone who treats you well.

Click below to watch a video on self-esteem and self-confidence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWzbIVwGd1E

What are some of your tips and advice on self-esteem and self-confidence?