| Women's self-esteem has always been much lower | | | | you", "I approve of you", "You are wonderful", "You are |
| than men's self-esteem. This comes from our | | | | strong", "You are courageous". Hold your gaze and |
| childhood where little boys are encouraged to take | | | | really project your love and acceptance to your |
| risks, be strong and be leaders. Little girls, on the other | | | | reflection. Start to believe the wonderful things you are |
| hand, are encouraged to be pretty and quiet and polite | | | | saying to yourself. |
| to visitors. Is it any wonder that many women suffer | | | | 3. Focus outside yourself. |
| from feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem? | | | | Help someone else who is less fortunate than you. |
| So what can be done about women's self esteem? | | | | Volunteer at a local charity, hospital or children's group. |
| Here are three easy actions you can take to increase | | | | You could perhaps teach basic life skills to young |
| your self esteem today. | | | | adults who are on probation or in prison - often it's a |
| 1. Accept yourself as you are and release any feeling | | | | lack of these basic skills that has led them to a life of |
| you have that you should be different. | | | | crime. |
| This might sound perverse but the truth is what we | | | | Or you could help with reading and writing skills at your |
| resist, persists. If you wish you were different and that | | | | local school or with learning disabled adults. |
| you had higher levels of self-esteem you will get in | | | | There are literally hundreds of options to help someone |
| your own way and perpetuate the problem. Start by | | | | else. Each one will turn your focus outwards away |
| accepting that you are who you are. Release any | | | | from yourself and toward someone less able than you. |
| need to be different. | | | | This will pull you out of the downward spiral of |
| The amazing thing is that once you stop resisting you | | | | depression that tends to feed off low self esteem and |
| allow room for you to change. | | | | help you increase your own level of self esteem. |
| 2. Love yourself without reservation. | | | | If you take action with these three ideas you will find |
| Look in the mirror, look deeply into your own eyes and | | | | yourself with raised self esteem. You will start to feel |
| talk to yourself as you might talk to a beloved partner. | | | | better about yourself and more able to cope with life |
| Really make contact with the you behind your | | | | without getting depressed. |
| reflection and say things like: "I love you", "I appreciate | | | | |