What role do the characteristics of self-esteem play in our lives? In psychology, “self-esteem” describes a person’s overall evaluation or appraisal of their own worth. This is not something that evaluates how you are feeling on a given day but rather an enduring sense of feeling good or bad about yourself as a person.

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September 22, 2022
Why We Need to Understand the Characteristics of Self-
Esteem
attractionlaw.org/why-we-need-to-understand-the-characteristics-of-self-esteem
What role do the characteristics of self-esteem play in our lives?
In psychology, “self-esteem” describes a person’s overall evaluation or appraisal of their own
worth. This is not something that evaluates how you are feeling on a given day but rather an
enduring sense of feeling good or bad about yourself as a person.
Psychologists have identified several characteristics of self-esteem: it’s based on your
perceptions, unstable and fluctuates over time, responsive to feedback, and shaped by your
experiences and relationships. So what does this really mean, and how will it affect our
everyday lives? Keep reading to find out!
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is a person’s overall evaluation of their own worth. It is the opinion they have of
themselves and how much they feel they are worth. Too often, we underestimate the role that

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esteem plays in our life.
People with high self-esteem feel confident and good about themselves. They believe they are
capable and deserving of happiness and success. People with low self-esteem often feel
unworthy and incapable. They may believe they are not good enough or will never be
successful.
Self-esteem is important because it affects how we see ourselves and how we interact with the
world around us. People with high self-esteem are more likely to take risks, pursue their
goals, and be resilient in the face of setbacks. People with low self-esteem are more likely to
give up easily, avoid challenging situations, and be more sensitive to criticism.
Self-esteem is something that we develop over time, starting in childhood. Our parents,
teachers, and other adults in our lives play a big role in shaping our self-esteem. Experiences
like being praised or punished, winning or losing, can all affect our self-esteem.
We can also influence our self-esteem by how we think about ourselves. If we have negative
thoughts about ourselves, our self-esteem will suffer. But if we have positive thoughts, we can
boost our own self-esteem.
It’s important to remember that everyone has ups and downs in life and that our self esteem
will fluctuate along with these changes. But overall, having healthy self-esteem can help us
lead happier, healthier lives.
What are Some Characteristics of Self-Esteem?
Some characteristics of people with high self-esteem are that person is typically confident,
have a positive outlook, and are able to handle criticism well. A person with low self-esteem
might be more likely to have negative thoughts, feel insecure, and have difficulty coping with
failure.
It is important to note that everyone has different levels of self-esteem and that it can
fluctuate depending on the situation. For example, a person who typically has high self-

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esteem might have a dip in confidence after receiving criticism at work. However, this does
not mean that the person’s self-esteem is permanently low.
It is also worth noting that there are different types of self-esteem. For example, there is
global self-esteem, which refers to a person’s overall opinion of themselves, and there is
domain-specific self-esteem, which refers to a person’s opinion of themselves in a specific
area (such as work or relationships).
There is also something called contingent self-esteem, which means that a person’s self-
esteem is based on external factors, such as other people’s approval.
Finally, there is unconditional self-esteem, which means that a person’s self-esteem is not
contingent on anything external and is instead based on their own internal evaluation.
What’s the Difference Between Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence?
Self-esteem and self-confidence are two related but distinct concepts. Self-esteem is a
measure of how much you value and respect yourself, while self-confidence is a measure of
your belief in your ability to succeed. Both are important for a healthy sense of self, but they
serve different purposes.
Self-esteem is important because it helps you see yourself as valuable and worthy. It allows
you to feel good about yourself, even when you make mistakes or fail at something. Everyone
has moments of doubt, but people with high self-esteem are able to brush those off and still
feel good about themselves.
Conversely, self-confidence is important because it allows you to believe in your ability to
achieve your goals. It gives you the courage to take risks and to put yourself out there. People
with high self-confidence are more likely to take chances and succeed in their endeavors.
Both self-esteem and self-confidence are essential for a happy and fulfilling life. However,
they serve different purposes. Self-esteem is important for feeling good about yourself, while
self-confidence is important for achieving your goals.

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What’s the Difference Between Self-Esteem and Self-Respect?
Self-esteem is an overall evaluation of oneself, whereas self-respect is more specific regard
for oneself. Self-esteem is what we think about ourselves and whether we feel good or bad
about ourselves. It’s based on our opinions, beliefs, and feelings.
On the other hand, self-respect is based on our actions and behaviors. It’s how we treat
ourselves and whether we have a positive or negative view of ourselves. It includes things like
self-worth, self-compassion, and self-care.
How to Improve Your Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is an important part of our lives and how we feel about ourselves. It can affect
our relationships, our jobs, and even our health. So it’s important to learn how to improve
your self-esteem.
Here are some tips:
1. Be accepting of yourself. You are unique and special, just the way you are. Don’t
compare yourself to others – focus on your own strengths and qualities.
2. Learn to be assertive. This means standing up for yourself and expressing your needs
and wants in a respectful way. Assertiveness will help you build better relationships and feel
good about yourself.
3. Be positive. Focus on the good things in your life, and don’t dwell on the negative. Make
an effort to find something positive in every situation.
4. Set realistic goals. Don’t put yourself down by setting goals that are impossible to
achieve. Set achievable goals that will help you move forward and improve your self-esteem.
5. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep, and do things that make
you happy. When you take care of yourself, you’ll feel better about yourself.
Improving your self-esteem takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. By following these tips,
you can start feeling good about yourself today.
The Benefits of Having High Self-Esteem
High self-esteem has a number of benefits. People with high self-esteem tend to be more
successful, happier, and healthier. They’re also better able to cope with stress and setbacks.
People with high self-esteem feel good about themselves and their abilities. They’re able to
set boundaries, say no when needed, and stand up for themselves. They’re confident in their
own skin and aren’t afraid to be different.

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High self-esteem also leads to better relationships. People with high self-esteem are more
likely to have healthy relationships because they’re not afraid to express their needs or deal
with conflict.
Overall, high self-esteem is associated with a number of positive outcomes. So if you’re
looking to improve your life, work on boosting your self-esteem.
The Dangers of Having Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can be incredibly dangerous. People with low self-esteem often feel
worthless and unlovable. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental and
emotional health problems.
Low self-esteem can also lead to substance abuse and other risky behaviors. In extreme cases,
low self-esteem can even lead to suicide. It’s important to realize that low self-esteem is a
serious problem that needs to be addressed.
If you or someone you know is struggling with low self-esteem, please seek professional help.
How to Tell if You Have Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can manifest in a number of ways. If you’re regularly putting yourself down,
avoiding social situations, or engaging in other negative behaviors, it’s likely that you have
low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem can also be indicated by physical symptoms like poor hygiene, overeating or
undereating, and excessive drug or alcohol use. If you think you might have low self-esteem,
it’s important to seek professional help.
A therapist can assist you in exploring the root causes of your low self-esteem and developing
healthy coping mechanisms.

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Final Thoughts About the Characteristics of High Self-Esteem
Having high self-esteem is not always easy, but it is worth the effort. When you feel good
about yourself, you are more likely to take advantage of opportunities and achieve your goals.
You are also better equipped to handle adversity and turn it into a success. So, if you want to
be happier and more successful in life, work on building up your self-esteem. And remember,
it’s never too late to start!