Self-esteem is how you see, value, and perceive yourself. In layman’s language, Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do.
While I was growing up, I bowed to the knees of low self-esteem. Many factors contributed to it, my background was one of them. Coming from a humble background to attending a dilapidated school in an uncivilized town in Ibadan. My low self-esteem was exacerbated when I relocated to Lagos to live with my grandparents. Lagos was a big man city, I assumed. I was afraid I couldn’t belong. I could hardly construct simple sentences. I felt I was behind and inferior to other girls when I see them speaking heavily accented English and slaying fancy outfits.
That was some years ago. When I reminisced about those years, I could only be grateful that my life changed. Today, I’m no longer a slave to low self-esteem, it’s a thing of the past. In the subsequent steps, I will talk you through how I overcame the bugbear, low self-esteem.
Five steps I took to overcome Low Self Esteem
- I stopped comparing myself to others. I became proud of myself and my background. There is this popular axiom in the lip of my teacher, “You don’t let your background put your back on the ground”. The ship of my life may not be sailing on calm seas like others. I maintained an attitude of gratitude to God.
Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. .
Gbemisola
2. I used self-affirmations to build my self-esteem. Examples are; I am enough, I believe in myself, I am destined for greatness, and I am the embodiment of rare gifts and potential
3. I focused on my studies, and I began studying assiduously. It was surprising how I went from being an average student in my primary school to being among the top scorers in my secondary school. Then, I realized Intelligence attracts people. I had friends coming in, but I was wise to filter out the bad ones.
4. I read books, not only school-related books, but other books like novels, age-appropriate fiction books, inspirational books, and the like. Books broadened my imagination, I traveled the world through the pages of the book. Today, I have friends from both rich and humble backgrounds because of the doors reading books opened for me.
5. I Recognize what you are good at. We are all good at something, spend quality time to improve that thing you are good at. Develop and refurbish your talent. In the words of Cal Newport, “So good that they can’t ignore you”.
