Beautiful Like Me: Building self Esteem
This week’s topic is “In your opinion, what is the best way to build self-esteem?” This topic is particularly hard for me because I am still trying to rebuild my own self-esteem. But, since I am sure that I have made others think with this project, its only fair that I torture myself and make myself think too. If you would like to participate in this weeks topic, please leave a link in the comments section to your post here, at Tricia’s or Amy’s place.
“Act as though what you do makes a difference. It does.”
–William James
Building self-esteem is like building anything else. It requires time, patience and either skill or directions. I am sure that there are a lot of people that have skill at building self-esteem. I am not one of those people, but they do exist. I require directions. Over the years, I have gathered some wisdom and thoughts from various people. But what I think works best is two things.
1. Do something that you are great at. This could be anything but being great at it is the requirement. Great can mean anything, as long as you think you are great at, that is what matters.
2. Do something that you can learn about. Self-esteem grows when you can see progress made. Again, this can be anything but preferably something that you enjoy. This way it keeps your interest and as you learn, you will enjoy it more.
These things show you that you are good at something but can learn to be good at other things. To me, there is no better way to build self-esteem. What do you think? What is the best way to build self-esteem? Write a post or leave a comment. Or do both!
This weeks participants:
Jan – Jan’s Sushi Bar
Amy – Five Flower Mom
Lisa P – Use your Wisdom
Danielle – Boys R Us
Casey – Half As Good As You
Tricia’s taking a small hiatus, so she asked me to pen something for the Beautiful Like Me project this week.
I’m not sure how well I did – it’s mostly about what NOT to do, per my own experiences growing up – but here it is!
http://www.jbsitedesigns.com/?p=3670
It’s hard to rebuild your self esteem after somebody has repeatedly crushed it. I’m on my way back too but sometimes I just have to fake it till I make it.
I am working on my answer and will post this afternoon. I have discovered layer upon layer as I reflect on what I think about this. Thank you so much for putting this out there and for challenging/encouraging us all to think more deeply about real answers to such meaningful questions.
Great post, WSM! I’ve never had a problem with self esteem, but I have family members who did and still do. It’s something you need to work on and cultivate, if you build pride, you build self esteem. It’s a wonderful thing to see someone proud of their own accomplishments.
My self esteem has changed through the years and it still varies at times but I do think that we can change it with determination! Thanks for your thoughts!
Mine is up. I love your point about how seeing progress helps keep you motivated in the rebuilding process. So true. We often get focused in seeing the end result and don’t build in enough progress points along the way to celebrate.
I envy people who have never had problems with self esteem. I think mine’s pretty good, but there are some times when it’s just hard. I will think about posting on this in the future; thanks!
Okay, I finally posted!!! Here it is http://mooreboysrus.blogspot.com/2009/05/beautiful-like-me-inspiration.html
Just now reading all the posts – lots to think about for sure!
I do agree that when we find something we love…a passion to pursue, we care less about trying to be “like everyone else” and our confidence grows from there. Great thoughts.
Ok, better late than never, right? I had a post half written but went with an earlier post that seemed to fit the subject better.
http://halfasgoodasyou.com/?p=4875 Durr.