Handling low self-esteem

According to the online dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org, self-esteem is the belief and confidence in your own ability and value. Simply put, it is how you think and feel about yourself; it could either be positive, negative or in between both lines.

Sometimes, your self-esteem usually dictates how you live your life and the decisions you make, and how you view others too.

As an emotional disorder, it affects every area of your life, robbing you of your enjoyment and happiness. There are many people who have faced this problem. As such, Lifextra sought to know what people think about having low self-esteem or how they would help others who are faced with it to handle it. Our respondents gave very interesting answers.

Elvis Allwise, who is single, highlighted some ways a person with low self-esteem can be helped. He said “you offer such a person unconditional acceptance by acknowledgment, setting excellent standards to make sure the person fits into it.”

“You give the person tasks that are challenging with grades and also do more of capacity training for such persons,” he added.

Speaking to Lifextra, Idaba Ode Peters, Abuja-based security personnel, stated “Love yourself, believe in yourself and aspire for whatever you desire without feeling inferior.

When asked how he would help those who were battling with low self-esteem, he said “Support them. When they make mistakes don’t mock them. Let them know that everyone passes through trials and error stage. Guide them. Give them opportunities to prove themselves and also love them.

Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera, a student, who says he has no self-esteem issues, thinks it is because he recognises the fact that he does not really need to be validated by other people or accepted before he can be himself.

“When the people around me suffer from inferiority complex, I try to talk them out of it and let them know why it is much more beneficial to be themselves,” he said.

“Self-confidence is a thing of the mind. It is more natural for some people while others can build it by being coached. It is a very vital ingredient to overcoming self-esteem issues,” he added.

Elizabeth Ifejika, a graduate who is also based in Abuja, started her response with the definition of self-esteem. She said “Let’s first understand what low self-esteem is about. It is the lack of confidence or lack of respect for oneself.”

“It is one thing for a person to acknowledge that he has that problem and needs help.”

Ifejika also said she didn’t have low self-esteem but she however gave the reasons why most people have such issues. She said “Most people who have low self-esteem are very sound. At times, they need this push to start, some of them know what to say at an event, amongst friends and all of that, but then they find it difficult to speak because it’s difficult for them to associate or mingle with other people.”

Highlighting the steps she would take to help such people, she said: “First I will talk them out of it, say funny things and bring up discussions. Secondly I will make them part of a team and will go as far as selecting them as team leaders, that will make them blend.

Speaking further she added, thirdly, I will engage them in tasks where people in such category would love to mingle but then chances might not be there and lastly encourage them to be versatile because they can be in the midst of friends that are intellectuals and discussion can start at any point.”