“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
– E.E. Cummings
It’s important to remember, the things we do in this life don’t need validation from others. When you place your self esteem in the hands of other people, you will always find yourself questioning your worth. Healthy self esteem is an essential component to leading a healthy life. It’s important to know that you are enough. “Many people base their self-esteem on external factors, such as how much money they earn, how much they weigh and whether people like and appreciate them. If one of these external variables change, self-esteem can be broadly affected. For example, if your self-esteem is based on the fact that someone else loves you, then you risk feeling extremely vulnerable and worthless if that person’s love ends. By the same token, building self-esteem is not an easy task if you have been abused or have suffered years of personal or professional failure.”- Dr. Lynn Ponton, Building Self Esteem
So, how do you remain positive when society often pressures people to compare and compete? Know your worth. We live in a fast paced, digital/social media society that consistently places worth on outward things. But, what happens when you realize that your value isn’t determined by what you have or don’t have? Value comes from knowing who you are as a person. Take the time to learn your likes and dislikes. Know your abilities and talents. Know what you will and won’t tolerate.Take the time to inventory the skills you’d like to become better at, but don’t look at growth as a shortcoming. The process of learning something new is beneficial and ultimately growth changes your perspective.
Next, surround yourself with uplifting people who accept you right where you are in this life. You should be the best version of yourself when you’re around close friends and family and you shouldn’t have to downplay your personality, talents, likes or dislikes. It’s important to be cognizant of the fact that everyone is unique and capable. Open minded, kind souls often make the best friends because they encourage you and inspire you to be great. Everyone should be heard and feel appreciated. Life looks different when you have people in your corner. Your close circle of friends should be filled with people who are rooting for your rise.
Low self esteem often causes self doubt, anxiety and depression. Seeking the help of a Mental Health Professional may be beneficial in order to rebuild your self esteem and self worth. As a therapist, I believe it’s important to remain in a healthy state physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Seeking guidance from a therapist will not only help you navigate through tough times, but you will also gain a greater sense of who you are as a person.
If you’re in the Atlanta area and you’re seeking a compassionate group of therapists, be sure to check out Ray of Hope Counseling. Clinic Director, Lynn Thompson Umstead, LPC, NCC, CIRT, CAMS is the founder and clinical director of Ray of Hope Counseling Services, Inc. She is a trained mental health professional, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a certification as an Imago Relationship Therapist (CIRT). Lynn also holds a certification as an Anger Management Specialist (CAMS). She is registered by the state of GA as a Civil and Divorce Mediator. Lynn is a National Certified Counselor and is a member of the Licensed Professional Counselor’s Association of Georgia. She has had experience in a wide variety of settings when working with individuals, couples, and families. These settings include in-home therapy, in-patient and out-patient hospitalization programs, group homes, administration of psychological testing in private practice and in a hospital environment. Lynn is also Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained (for More Info Click here). EMDR is a powerful psychotherapy approach that helps relieve many types of psychological distress as well as treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Currently Lynn treats clients in a private practice setting, and supervises interns and therapist working toward full licensure. For more information about Ray of Hope Counseling, visit their websiteRay of Hope Counseling Services. Help is out there. Never be afraid to take step toward becoming your best self.
Mental Health, Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger,Anita Ford 