Self-esteem is a feeling of having high expectations of yourself. The esteem is affected by how worthy we think we are of ourselves, and how much we want to be accepted as we are. It’s not only about how others see us but also how we view ourselves. What affects self-esteem in our lives? Here are some things that can affect it:
– What affects self-esteem refers to the early childhood experiences that we have. These can make an effect on us even later on in life. For example, if we had bad early childhood experiences that are not checked out, these can affect us now as adults or cause us to have low self-esteem. Bad childhood experiences include abuse, neglect, early neglect, being hospitalized and/or separated from a parent at an early age, being a sexual or physical offender in childhood, bullying at school, not receiving love and affection from a parent or guardian, and being rejected socially at a young age.
– Poor self-talk is another thing that affects self-esteem. Self-talk can affect us at any time in life. We have no control over what we say to ourselves. The way we talk to ourselves can determine how confident we feel, how truthful we feel, and how accepting we feel. Therefore, if we have negative self-talk, it can affect our self-image and our self-esteem.
– Adults have a great ability to shape their own destiny by getting older. As we get older, it helps us to become more mature, and thus, wiser. It is believed by some researchers that if we get older, we start to have more control over our lives. However, there is still much more research needed on this subject, but the results of this new research are still inconclusive.
– Another way that what affects self-esteem is related to physical appearance. People with low self-image believe that they do not have enough money, good looks, or social status. People with high self-image believe that they are attractive, smart, and financially secure. Low self-esteem can be also related to low physical appearance. If someone is perceived as unattractive, it can have a devastating effect on their self-image.
– The second thing that can affect a person’s self-image is related to specific domains of their life. People with higher self-esteem are more likely to choose careers that are suitable to their lifestyle and needs. It is now known that when a person is motivated to do something, they do that task with a greater level of interest. This increased interest, which is called grit, can be useful in setting goals and pursuing them. But the increase in motivation also has an impact on the domain of personal appearance.
– Finally, a person’s level of achievement and satisfaction with life can be affected by what they think about themselves in various domains of life. For example, if you think that you are worthless, then you will be likely to be a poor judge of yourself in academic settings and in your professional life. On the other hand, if you think you are a good enough person, you will have high self-esteem. Therefore, new research is looking at the link between your self-talk, your general self-image, and your level of achievement and satisfaction with life.
The link between your self-talk and your level of life-satisfaction is not the only thing that has been explored in this area. Previous studies have explored the link between how you think about yourself, your physical appearance, and your performance at work. New research now looks into the domain of your daily life as well. What affects self-esteem in the domain of your daily life has much to do with what you do and how you feel about yourself in those areas. That is why the study of what affects self-esteem is so important.