Self-esteem has to do with how you feel about who you are as a person and the way in which you view yourself.

Self-esteem can change over time. It may be influenced by the world around you, beliefs that exist in society, attitudes of specific people or groups towards others, as well as your own life experiences. Racism, sexism, stereotyping and social media can also impact self-esteem.

You may experience high-self esteem if things in life are going the way you want them to and you feel “good” about yourself. You may have feelings of low self-esteem when negative events happen in your life, or you feel like you weren’t successful at something.

When you have low self-esteem, you may have a challenging time enjoying life or meeting your goals. People who experience anxiety or depression or have other types of mental or physical health conditions can experience low-self esteem.

How can you build your self-esteem?

Building your self-esteem can take time, but there are many ways to improve your self-esteem.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle or using positive affirmations can make you feel better and more hopeful about your life. Learn more about building self-esteem.

Self-esteem can also be related to other things in your life, like body image, or events from your past, like trauma or abuse. Find a guide for parents and youth about body image and self-esteem.

If you have been feeling consistent low-self esteem or experiencing mental health challenges that are affecting your life, such as anxiety of depression, you may want to reach out for help. Support is available.