If you suffer from low self-esteem, then it is certain that your confidence level will also dip. Low self-esteem denotes a lack of self-confidence or seeing yourself as unworthy or incompetent. If you are an UPSC aspirant or preparing for any other competitive exams, then, this situation might be very familiar for you. Negative thoughts and self-criticism keep you stuck in an unhappy place as it affects your behavior, your life choices, and leave you trapped in a lonely vicious circle.
So how do you avoid such a situation? 2013-batch IAS officer of UP cadre and current DM of Mirzapur, Divya Mittal, tells you how. She says that low self-esteem can be very debilitating indeed, and shares some important tips on how to improve self-esteem and become a more confident You!
BE KIND
In a Twitter thread, she suggest ways to build one’s confidence, and, surprisingly, it starts with being kind to yourself. Her first tweet reads: “Be kind to yourself. Don’t bash yourself for past mistakes. All of us make mistakes and you are no different. Forgive yourself and move on. Make sure your internal dialogue is positive.”
COMPARISON
Next in line is comparison, which, according to her, is very normal for humans to indulge in. But, she adds a word of caution to not make it a habit as it can be harmful by irritating you as well as instilling the fear of low esteem in you.
“Stop comparing yourself to others. You are unique. Don’t compare yourself to anyone. Instead of being a version of someone else, be the best version of yourself.”
BE PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Then, she suggests being proud of the things you have accomplished.
“Only you know the struggles you have faced in life. And, hence, you know the difficulty of what you have achieved. Be proud of what you have done till now. Be hopeful of the future.”
SMALL GOALS
In her next tweet, she talks about having big goals in life, but to achieve these, one must avoid taking big steps at the start of the journey, and instead focus on small and achievable steps.
“Set small, achievable goals. The dreams and targets you have should be big. But the steps that you take should be small and achievable. While planning, set small, attainable goals and reward yourself when you reach them.”
HAPPINESS
Do whatever makes you happy, because nothing is big than your happiness, she says in her next tweet.
“Do things that make you Happy! Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty of doing things that make you happy.”
BE WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE
Next, she talks about the importance of being around positive people.
“Surround yourself with positive people. Be with people who are positive and supportive of you. Cut out people who are overly critical and toxic. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are less worthy.”
RECOGNISE STRENGTH
Then, she says that people should know their strengths and weaknesses.
“Learn to recognise your strengths and use them. We all have strengths in different areas. You must recognise and use them to your advantage. The whole world cannot be run only by specific skill sets. All qualities are needed in the world.”
WEAKNESS
It is true that sometime we avoid our weakness and try to ignore it. But, Ms. Mittal suggests otherwise. She says if we know our weaknesses, then we can fight better.
“Embrace your weaknesses. Everyone in this world has weaknesses. Embrace your weaknesses. Don’t be embarrassed about them. Accept them and find ways to improve them or work around them.”
HELP OTHERS
Helping others features prominently on her list, as she says, “Help others. There are many people in this world who can benefit by your help. Always help people in whatever way you can. This gives you satisfaction and happiness, and improves self-worth.”
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Self-care is another important thing on her radar. “Take care of your body and mind. Last but not the least, take care of your physical and mental well-being. This increases confidence, esteem, and general well being. Be regular with exercising and meditate.”
CONCLUSION
She concludes her thread with a message to be assertive and not let anyone tell you, you are any less. “Also, if there are chronic signs of this or any other mental trouble, please consult a medical practitioner. It could be a sign of depression. Thank you.”
