Self-Esteem vs Self-Value and 5 Things to Help Them Grow

We often hear the terms self-value (or self-worth)  and self-esteem used interchangeably, but there is a very big difference between the two. To become your best self you need to have both, to build both together. Let’s take a look at what the differences are.

Self-esteem is the manner in which we evaluate ourselves. It is our internal assessment of our qualities and attributes. We have healthy self-esteem when what we think, feel, and believe about ourselves is honest and realistic. Building and maintaining healthy self-esteem depends on gathering evidence about what we are like as a person.

Self-value (aka self-worth) is the belief that you are loveable and valuable regardless of how you evaluate your traits. In this way, your self-esteem could hit rock bottom, yet you still hold onto the notion that you have innate worth. This is important. When you don’t feel good about yourself, this doesn’t mean, of course, that you are no longer valuable.

Self-value comes from the realization that you always have the capacity to do good and make a positive impact in the world, however small it may be.

The two get intermingled, and because of that  you need to work on both to build yourself up. Healthy self-esteem will allow you to be more honest with yourself about your qualities, and in turn more effectively grow as a person. Self-value acts as that foundation, as your mental armor during difficult times. However, self-value can take a beating when you have a depressive episode. Know that this can be changed, as you move forward you can grow your self-value.

Here are 5 things that can help you grow and expand your self -esteem and self-worth.

1. Challenge bad thoughts about your yourself

 

Try replacing your negative thoughts with positive ones, affirmations are a great way to do this. Or just reminding yourself each time you start to talk negatively about yourself, catch  it and change the story to a positive one.

2. Help someone else

 

It is amazing how much of a confidence booster it can be to help others. You could volunteer somewhere or offer to help a friend or family member with something they need help with.

3. Try new things

You might even find a new hobby. When we allow ourselves to try new things, reminding ourselves that we are new to it, as we grow our skills it boosts our self-value and self-esteem.

4. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good

 

Not everyone in our life makes us feel good. Try to spend less time (or no time) with those people and instead choose to spend time with the people who boost you up.

5. Keep visual reminders of things that make you feel good

 

This leads us into this week's exercise.

Create a collage of things that make you happy, make you feel good, remind you  of things you have done and enjoyed.

You can create the collage with photos, or magazine clippings that represent the items, or you can use a shelf or shadow box frame and include actual items. Maybe you want to mix it up and use some of each.

Check out this week's YouTube video, Healing with Creativity. We will release it on Thursday. Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any videos we add.

Have an Amazingly Creative Day,

Larissa 

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