A lack of self-esteem can stand in your way of achieving your goals and making your dreams a reality. Boosting your self-esteem can help you get through challenges and obstacles without giving up along the way. If you need some help, these self-esteem affirmations can get you started.
Low self-esteem damages your life and interferes with your happiness. It causes you to develop negative opinions about yourself, further fueling the issue. While everyone struggles with confidence occasionally, you must get it under control if it’s constant in your life.
Persistent low self-esteem can cause depression, anxiety, guilt, anger, sadness, or shame. These feelings can quickly overwhelm you, leaving you feeling pretty bad. Luckily, you can use daily affirmations to shift your mindset and get you back on track.
The Issues with Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem affects your relationships, too, as they don’t have the confidence for a healthy relationship. You might let people in your life treat you in unacceptable ways because you don’t realize that you deserve better.
It can also cause you to pass on new opportunities or experiences because you’re afraid to try. Low self-esteem makes you doubt your abilities and feel like you can’t get through challenging situations.
Plus, you might avoid activities that you enjoy because you’re too self-conscious to spend time around other people. You’ll constantly look for signs that people don’t like you, convincing yourself that no one wants you around. If your self-esteem gets low enough, you might turn to alcohol, drugs, or other harmful coping mechanisms.
Symptoms of Low Self-Esteem
The symptoms of low self-esteem are different for everyone, but they tend to follow a trend. You’ll notice certain behaviors, decision-making processes, and reactions that indicate an issue. These signs include:
- Being hyper-critical of yourself
- Downplaying your positive attributes
- Comparing yourself to others
- Feeling inferior to others
- Using negative words to describe yourself
- You tend to take a self-blame approach to everything
- Believing that luck gets people further than hard work
- Not believing compliments people offer
Causes of Low Self-Esteem
You might experience low self-esteem at any time in your life, especially if you feel like you failed at something. It poses a problem anytime your lack of confidence makes you want to give up or do something harmful. Understanding the causes of low self-esteem can help you get to the root of your issue.
Some of the causes of low self-esteem include:
- People telling you that you aren’t enough
- Mental illness such as anxiety or depression
- Persistent medical problems
- Continuous stressful life events
- Not reaching your expectations
- Mental or physical abuse
- Significant people in your life being overly critical of you
Fifteen Self-Esteem Affirmations to Say in the Mirror Every Morning
If you want to stop putting yourself down and living with a negative mindset, these self-esteem affirmations are for you. Use these self-esteem affirmations each day, repeating them for at least five minutes at a time. Choose one or two phrases to start with and see what works best for you.
1. I can live the life I’ve always dreamed of.
Think of all the dreams you had for your life before you started telling yourself you couldn’t achieve them. Now, use this affirmation to help you undo the negativity and start believing in yourself again. You can live the life of your dreams, and you have to convince yourself that you can do it.
2. I have everything I need to build a meaningful life.
You might not have everything you want in life, but you do have everything you need. When you want to go further, look within and find what you need to reach your next goal. By acknowledging that you have everything you need, you’ll be ready to tackle anything.
3. I deserve success and work hard for it.
Your hard work and dedication make you deserving of success. Nothing else matters except the work you put into it. Use this affirmation to convince yourself that you deserve success, and you’ll suddenly start to notice improvements in your life.
4. I am putting myself first and focusing on my well-being.
When you put yourself first, it reiterates how important it is to care for yourself and your well-being. With low self-esteem, it’s hard to put yourself first when everyone demands so much of you. Use this affirmation to gain the courage to prioritize yourself.
5. I am embracing what makes me a unique person.
Everyone is different, and that is one thing that makes the world such a beautiful place. Don’t let your unique qualities bring you down and make you feel bad about yourself. Embrace each individualized feature because they are what make you who you are.
6. I am a valuable person and contribute to the world around me.
When you don’t feel good about yourself, it’s easy to think that you have nothing to contribute to the world. However, each small act of kindness you do, even if It’s only smiling at a stranger, can make a difference. Never underestimate your value in society.
7. I radiate confidence and positivity.
When you tell yourself that you radiate confidence and positivity, you’ll start to notice that it’s true. Your mind believes what you tell it, so keep repeating this affirmation until it’s solidified.
8. I am worthy of love and happiness.
You are worthy of all the good things in the world, including love and happiness. Don’t let these aspects of life pass you by because you think you’re not good enough. Use this affirmation to remind yourself of your worth.
9. I share my thoughts and opinions because my voice is important.
This self-esteem affirmation will give you the confidence to state your opinion. With low self-esteem, you might be afraid, assuming no one wants to hear what you have to say. However, your thoughts are important, and you should voice them every time.
10. I believe in who I am and what I can do.
When you believe in yourself, anything is possible. Use this self-esteem affirmation to give yourself the courage and confidence to tackle all of your goals. Anytime you notice negative self-thoughts creeping in, give yourself a minute alone to repeat this affirmation.
11. I love myself for who I am right now.
You develop more each day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t love who you are today. It’s okay to have goals and want to better yourself, but that requires loving yourself right now.
You are amazing just the way you are, and there is no reason you should change for anyone. Practicing self-love each day can quickly boost your self-esteem and help you live the life of your dreams.
12. I am achieving my dreams, and nothing can stop me.
Sometimes all it takes is a statement like this one to get you moving toward your goals again. You will encounter setbacks and obstacles, but nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams. This is your life to live, so don’t miss out on any opportunity to go further.
13. I am strong, powerful, and brave.
Nothing can hold you back when you feel strong, powerful, and brave. You can’t face any challenge that comes your way, and you won’t be afraid to try something new. Remember that you are stronger than you think, so empower yourself to take a chance on new opportunities and give it your best.
14. I am creating the life I want.
While other people might tell you what they want you to do with your life, it isn’t up to them. If you follow their desires, you’ll experience low self-esteem because you are living the life of your dreams. Choose your path and set your goals without listening to what others want for you.
Use this self-esteem affirmation to remember you can create any life you want. Once you set your goal, keep it in mind so that you don’t get swayed by the opinions of others. When you live your life the way you want to, you’re sure to feel more confident in yourself.
15. I can express my true self because people want to know me.
This self-esteem affirmation reaffirms that people want you around, and you can be yourself. A lack of self-esteem will convince you otherwise, but empower yourself to know better. Don’t be afraid to speak up or get involved because people want to get to know the real you.
Final Thoughts on Self-Esteem Affirmations to Say in the Mirror Every Morning
These self-esteem affirmations can help you feel better about yourself and allow you to focus on self-love. You deserve to feel good about who you are, so make a change for the better right now. These affirmations will help you eliminate negative self-thoughts as you work to boost your confidence.
Once you boost your self-esteem, you’ll embrace your unique qualities and acknowledge your talents and strengths. Affirmations for self-esteem encourage you to develop the life qualities you desire while helping you achieve your goals.