What is Self Esteem?

People talk about it but exactly what is self esteem? Well, my trusty MacBook dictionary tells me it's "confidence in one's own worth or abilities". In other words a healthy belief in oneself and respect for one's worth as a person.

So What's a High Self Esteem Then?

According to that definition the word 'high' in high self esteem is really redundant. We should be talking about someone having a self esteem, rather than a good self esteem, because having a self esteem means you already have respect for yourself.

Low Self Esteem - The Opposite

Someone with a low self esteem is considered to have a low opinion of themselves, no self respect. If self esteem means "confidence in one's own worth", then a low self esteem would mean a low confidence in one's own worth. Or holding themselves in low esteem.

A Psychological Term

The venerable Wikipedia talks about self esteem as a psychological term reflecting a person's overall evaluation of their own worth. People's beliefs about themselves contribute to their self esteem. For example they may think "I am industrious" or "I am lazy". A person's emotions also contribute to their self esteem. For instance, feelings of pride or shame result in opposite feelings of esteem.

A person's self esteem often determines how they behave. Someone with a low self esteem may be shy, or cautious, whereas a person who is confident may have a high self esteem.

Some people use the words self worth or self respect interchangeably with self esteem.

If you see yourself in the low self esteem definition, then you may be interested in ways to improve self esteem.

Walk respectfully from this What is Self Esteem page to the How to Love Yourself page