How to raise self-esteem right now
- Written by Eric North aka “The Happiness Warrior”
When we choose to be happy we’re creating more choices and greater opportunities for ourselves and those around us. It’s in our own sense of self-esteem that we help lift others who are struggling. We become more mindful and activated. We can focus our intention to help others rise and reveal their hidden power and potential.
In a world with so much strife and division there are those of us who want to make a difference. No matter how bleak It can look, there's always another way that benefits all of us. We can choose to believe that most people are good and have a desire to be even better. Sometimes we’re not aware, but every day we are surrounded by the helpers, warriors, and leaders. The people that this upside-down world so desperately needs. Our truth is the same, together we are better when united and supportive of each other.
Helping others raise their voices and being seen is a lesson in self-discovery, empathy and understanding. It’s how we raise our connection, heal our divisions, and raise our self-esteem and self-awareness. The discovery of our true purpose, gratitude, and authenticity.
It’s a scientific fact that people that actively seek to make a difference are happier and at peace with who they are. They live in their authenticity in alignment with their values. Each day has a sense of purpose and promise. There’s always something to learn and see from a new perspective. A perspective of self-awareness, forgiveness, and intention. A journey to greater self-esteem and self-awareness.
WHAT WE HATE IN OTHERS IS WHAT WE HATE ABOUT OURSELVES
Too often in life we malign other people who demonstrate qualities or actions that are similar to our own behavior. It can be something that we avoid thinking about with any sense of personal responsibility. So much harmful and illogical guilt and shame heaped upon others without any reason or validation. This causes us to increase our own personal shame and lash out at others. It keeps from being our best and most authentic selves because we spend so much time living our lives for the sake of others. We don’t like what we see in the mirror and do nothing to change our actions and perception.
This is an easy fix when we are able to recognize and confront these negative emotions. Instead of focusing on our differences we can look at our short-comings and take meaningful action. We can learn to like what we see in ourselves and change the narrative. The story can be changed to focus on our unitedness rather than our divisions. Now more than ever the world needs more empathy and understanding. This is how we create more happiness and renew our connection. The best path forward in life is when we are at peace with who we are and the values that define us. This is how we learn that happiness comes from within.
AFFIRMATIONS RAISE OUR SPIRIT
As The Happiness Warrior, I’m a firm believer in the power of self-affirmation to remind us of the best parts of who we are to make the best of our lives. A simple verbalization is all that is needed. They are personal when stated and best when shared. This is how we become unbroken and begin to see the value and scope of actions and lives. I recommend starting each day with a vocal declaration “Good Morning Eric, today is going to be great!”. It’s a life-changing statement that intensifies our intention and guarantees better outcomes. This is how we realize the happiness that comes from within. It’s the only way to start a new day.
Affirmations are something we all deserve. There’s no one to stop us besides ourselves. We have a right to be happy and the right to strive and succeed. Every life is valuable, including our own. This is how we tend to our lives and watch them grow.
CONQUER NEGATIVE REACTIONS
Too often we let our emotions take control when confronted with new situations, perceived affronts, and hidden dangers. When this happens a portion of our brain called the amygdala can become overactivated which overwhelms critical thinking. We then become hyper emotional and our ability to think clearly is overwhelmed. We lash out, say things that we later regret, and generally make ourselves feel even more hopeless and miserable. This can also cause us to form conclusions that are emotional rather than factual. It can cause us to spiral into despair and self-rejection. It can make us have thoughts and words that are hard to bounce back and recover from. “Life sucks” or “this is so unfair” are common refrains. They are self-defeating and counterproductive to the knowledge and growth that comes from any obstacle and or unhappy situation. No one finds inspiration from victimhood.
Research has shown that meditation or breathing exercises can be used by anyone to improve activation of the prefrontal cortex in the brain. The place where we do our logical thinking and problem solving. Our innate way to recover our senses and move on with our lives without causing harm to ourselves and others along the way.
LEARN TO ACCEPT WHAT WE CAN’T CHANGE AND FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN
One of the best ways to feel connected with others is to share our stories and listen to the words of others. This helps us to feel less like victims and more like humans are doing their best to live and learn from their lives. This is how we raise self-esteem when we realize that there are others who have struggled and survived. It’s how we find peace in our minds and learn to forgive ourselves and do better in the future. Self-esteem is cumulative and grows with our wisdom. Know when to let things go and move forward with momentum. Experiences are subjective and can be personally painful. It’s not a game of comparisons but rather an opportunity to expand our reasoning and feelings of self-worth. Our life journey is unique, but our spirit will always resonate with others who share the same path.
There are times when we may feel like a lost cause, but everything that occurs in our lives both the good and the bad, are there to teach us to be more capable and resilient. The wisdom of the universe is always there to remind us. Learn to flow and bend when we’re challenged and rise when we emerge. Life is a great game that requires skill and belief in ourselves. It’s a human trait to align with that which we believe. It can help us to be optimistic and capable no matter what life provides. There are always choices which we cannot always see at the time.
HOW TO CHANGE WHAT WE CAN
The lack of clarity after a distressing situation can often leave us confused and feeling broken. It can seem that solutions are impossible, and we don’t know what to think or where to turn. This can cause us to shut down and cause collateral harm to our self-esteem. The solution is to think of a time when we were strong and found a solution to a problem. Even if it’s one time long in the past we can use it to help regain mental clarity and separate what we can change when our minds are clear of confusion. We can use this time to find peace with things we can’t change and empower our spirit to rise. This is the time to make life-changing decisions and move on with our lives. Even a small action like this can significantly reduce anxiety and stop us from holding back our lives.
As humans, we love to share stories of acceptance and redemption where people regain their self-esteem and reputation. A happy ending is always inspirational, but the best stories are the ones we create ourselves. It’s up to us as individuals to love who we are without any reservations. It’s up to us to raise our vibration and live in our truth. The most important part is to remember that we are our own best creation.
Eric North
IG @TheHappinessWarrior1
www.thehappinesswarrior1.com