9 Signs You Might Be Suffering From Low ...

9 Signs You Might Be Suffering From Low Self-Esteem

Aug 20, 2022

Do you ever feel like other people are just better than you in every way? Even though your friends might not seem to have any obvious advantages over you, it’s hard not to feel inferior when they all seem to be thriving in ways that you are not. It can be difficult to recognize low self-esteem, especially if you struggle with it on a daily basis. Low self-esteem is different from having low confidence or being shy; these are situations where someone has more negative feelings about themselves than they should. Instead, low self-esteem is a belief that you simply aren’t good enough as you currently are. It’s also not an uncommon phenomenon, as many people struggle with their self-worth at some point in their life. Keep reading for 9 signs that you might be suffering from low self-esteem...

You’re constantly apologizing.

When you are constantly apologizing for who you are, it’s a sign that you don’t value yourself. People with high self-esteem don’t apologize for who they are; they apologize for their actions. For example, if you spill someone’s drink at a party, you might apologize for the accident. However, if you have low self-esteem, you might apologize for being clumsy and spilling the drink in the first place. Remember: You don’t need to apologize for who you are. You are who you are and there’s nothing you can do to change that. So, don’t apologize for the fact that you were born as you were.

You have difficulty making decisions.

People with low self-esteem often struggle to make decisions, especially when the decision will impact them personally. This is because when you have low self-esteem, you tend to be more focused on how others will react to your choices than how you feel about them. If you find yourself constantly putting off big decisions because you’re worried about what people will think, you might be suffering from low self-esteem. If you’re having trouble making decisions, try to focus on yourself first. Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? What are your core values? Trust your instincts, and make a decision that feels right for you.

Low self confidence

When you have low self-confidence, you don’t believe that you have the ability to succeed at whatever you try to do. This can cause you to have difficulty finding satisfaction in your daily life, as you’re always waiting for the day when you finally feel like you’re good enough. You might have low self-confidence if you constantly minimize your own talents, or if you find yourself comparing yourself to others. Almost everyone struggles with low self-confidence at some point in their life. It’s important to remember that you’re not comparing yourself to other people when you are trying new things. Instead, you’re comparing how you do on a particular day.

Negative Social Comparison

Negative social comparison is when you compare your life to others and find it lacking, especially in comparison to people you believe are more successful than you are. This type of comparison is often linked to low self-esteem, and it can be a destructive habit because it’s rarely an accurate reflection of reality. When you find yourself comparing your life to others, take a step back and look at the situation objectively. Are your comparisons accurate? Or are you focusing on the wrong aspects of the situation?

Negative Self-Talk

"I'm not going to get any better at this.","It's too complicated","I don't deserve to be happy", "Being positive doesn’t work.". It's common for people who have low self-esteem to engage in negative self-talk. It's also possible for people to demean themselves either internally or externally, or to be harsh or unforgiving when they make mistakes. Not only is negative self-talk stressful, but it can actually stop you from succeeding.

You have a hard time accepting positive feedback.

People who struggle with low self-esteem often have a hard time accepting positive feedback. This can be because you don’t believe the feedback is accurate, or it can be because you don’t see yourself as deserving of the praise. If you have trouble accepting compliments, try to think about the situation objectively. Ask yourself why you aren’t accepting the feedback. Is there something you are overlooking? Or are you just being too hard on yourself?

You constantly doubt yourself.

If you constantly doubt yourself, it’s likely that you have a low self-esteem. This is because a person with high self-esteem has a natural confidence that they are able to achieve whatever they set out to do. They can also recognize that mistakes are part of being human and not a reflection of who they are as a person. People with low self-esteem find it difficult to have faith in themselves and their abilities. Instead, they are constantly second-guessing themselves and looking for mistakes that they might make.

Read how to overcome self doubt

Fear of Failure

If you fear failure, you might have low self-esteem. This is because people with low self-esteem tend to focus on the negative outcome of their decisions. As a result, they often fear taking risks because they are too focused on the potential failure. You may want to consider re-evaluating your fear of failure. Are your fears based in reality? Or are you letting your low self-esteem get the best of you? Are you letting your fear of failure keep you from achieving your goals? If so, you might want to talk to a therapist about how to overcome your fears.

Your self-esteem is tied to your performance.

People with low self-esteem often tie their self-worth to their performance. This means that you see your self-esteem increasing or decreasing depending on how well you do at what you’re trying to accomplish. If you tie your self-esteem to your performance, try to detach yourself from your accomplishments. Let go of the idea that you are valuable based on what you can do. Instead, focus on who you are as a person.

Conclusion

People with low self-esteem often struggle to find happiness in their daily life. This can be due to the fact that they are constantly putting themselves down and comparing themselves to others. If you are struggling with low self-esteem, it is important to recognize the signs and speak with a therapist about how you can overcome it.

Enjoy this post?

Buy MentalHealthMatters a coffee

More from MentalHealthMatters