Simple Ways To Improve Self-Esteem

Improving self-esteem may seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be so hard. There are simple ways to improve self-esteem that are easy to implement into your daily life. This makes it more likely you will have positive self-talk and feel better about yourself. Sure, there are thousands of books and articles that make it seem like an overwhelming task, but self-esteem starts with small shifts. Instead of buying into the hype, try to add in these simple tips and see how much more confident you feel and how much your self-esteem improves.

4 Ways to Improve Self-Esteem

Most of us have a pattern of beating ourselves up mentally. Sometimes this comes from childhood, sometimes it comes from not achieving everything on our to-do list. Become aware of where your negative self-talk comes from and you're half way there, the other half is changing your behavior.

1. Make life a little easier for yourself. I get disappointed in myself when I can't make it through my to-do list. My mind can become filled with negative self-talk. A good friend of mine just had her third child and said, "Look, there is no way I am going to remember everything and I feel like a bad mom when I can't do it all. Instead of trying to be Supermom, I'm ordering whatever I can off Amazon or through a delivery service." That means diapers, baby essentials, and home essentials are all shipped to her. Does it cost a few extra bucks? Sure, but now she feels more in control and confident in her everyday life.
2. Lower your expectations of others. Sadly, some people just don't change. Expecting an unreliable or a family member to become responsible is only going to set you up for disappointment and self-loathing. "I should have known. Why do they always do this to me?" Thoughts like this lower your self-esteem. Instead, lower your expectations. Remind yourself that it's not you, it's them. They are chronically late, or have been historically selfish and they will likely still be this way. It sucks and it's the reality. They may change when you start to let go of your expectations and see that you respect yourself enough not to depend on them.
3. Listen to your body. If you stop reacting and listen to your body's natural rhythm, you will feel more in control and confident. Mindfulness can improve self-esteem and can take 30 seconds. Focus on your breathing and ask your body what it needs. Eat when you are hungry; sleep when you are tired; exercise when you are feeling energetic. The more you attempt to control your body the less likely it will listen, and this leads to dissatisfaction with yourself. Get mindful and tune in to increase self-esteem.
4. Stop procrastinating. Research shows procrastination is a major cause for dissatisfaction with ones self. People who chronically put things off have low self-esteem and self-worth. If you have a million things to do, enlist help (see number one above), if you are avoiding something because emotionally it's too hard, grab an accountability buddy. Try to allocate 10-20 minutes a day to get one thing off your procrastination list. It will make you feel more confident and in control of your life, leading to increased self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment.

What simple tricks have helped you improve your self-esteem? Share with other readers below and continue the conversation about increasing self-esteem.

Emily is the author of Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are.You can visit Emily’s Guidance Girl website. You can also find her on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.