One of the struggles that many people experience at some point in their life is low self-esteem. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy – when you feel worse about what you do and who you are, you’ll feel less motivated to improve your self-esteem.
From there, you could spiral down into a toxic cycle of circular and negative thinking, trapping you in erroneous and damaging beliefs.
If you’re in this situation, know that you can stop this vicious cycle. Although the process of building your self-esteem won’t happen instantly or overnight, you can take steps to begin moving in a more positive direction.
Apply these six suggestions in your life, so you could begin 2021 with a confident mindset:
1. Fix Your Teeth
Not everyone is happy about the look of their pearly whites. Crooked teeth can prevent you from flashing a bright smile and feeling good about your overall appearance. When you feel embarrassed or ashamed about your smile, you’ll have a difficult time forming and building relationships with the people around you.
So, visit a dental professional and have your teeth straightened. Your dentist or orthodontist will use an oral appliance, such as orthodontic clear aligners, to correct the positioning of your teeth. By improving the look of your pearly whites, you can improve your self-esteem and make new friends.
2. Read or Watch Something Inspirational
Another way to boost your self-esteem is to watch a film or read a book that encourages you to feel positive about yourself and the world around you. If you’re planning to launch and manage a company one day, consider watching inspirational business movies, such as The Pursuit of Happyness.
As for books, add these titles to your “to-read” list:
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
- The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
- Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
3. Enumerate All Your Accomplishments in Life
Think about the goals you’ve reached in life. Then, put them on a piece of paper or your mobile phone. Don’t just include major life achievements, such as getting married and buying a house. Add minor accomplishments too, such as helping out in a soup kitchen and keeping your living room tidy and organized.
If you’re feeling down, go back to that list you just made and read it. These accomplishments will serve as a reminder of your abilities to get jobs done and do them well.
4. Cut Toxic People off Your Life
Toxic individuals are people who:
- Take advantage of you
- Constantly put you down
- Have nothing good to say about you
- Keep on spouting complaints without suggesting solutions to a problem
If you have these people in your life, do the right thing and let them go. Unfollow or unfriend them on Facebook or other social media channels if necessary. Then, surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who value and admire you.
5. Start Exercising
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions that people make is to exercise regularly. Working out isn’t just about shedding off excess pounds or looking awesome in your summer swimsuit. It’s also about giving your mind-body health a boost.
When you work out, your body produces chemicals called endorphins. These hormones trigger a positive feeling in your body, which helps increase self-esteem, focus and mental clarity.
What’s more, exercising provides you with the drive to go through your day with intent and purpose. Working out can make you feel like you’re on top of the world and ready to face life’s challenges.
6. Look at Failure as Part of Growth
When you fail at something, the most common response is to be hard on yourself or beat yourself up for not doing enough. Rather than thinking this way, change how you see and respond to failure. See it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Follow these six tips to improve your self-esteem and make a positive change in your life this 2021. See the New Year as the perfect opportunity to boost your sense of self-worth.
