As we age, our self-esteem can sometimes take a hit. Trust me, I’ve been there.
But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way.
The secret lies in our habits – especially the ones that do more harm than good to our self-esteem.
There are seven habits in particular that you need to wave goodbye to if you want to keep your self-esteem strong as you age.
In this article, I’ll reveal these seven detrimental habits and explain why ditching them can dramatically improve your self-esteem as you get older.
Buckle up, it’s going to be an enlightening ride.
As we get older, it’s easy to let our physical health slide. Sure, we might not be able to run a marathon like we used to, but that’s no excuse to give up on exercise completely.
Physical health directly influences our mental well-being and self-esteem.
When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins – natural mood boosters that make us feel good about ourselves.
Plus, taking care of our bodies gives us a sense of accomplishment and control.
Conversely, neglecting our physical health can lead to feelings of low self-esteem.
If we’re not feeling good physically, it’s hard to feel good about ourselves mentally.
If you want to maintain your self-esteem as you get older, make regular exercise and a healthy diet a part of your routine.
It doesn’t need to be anything drastic – even a daily walk can make a big difference.
And remember: it’s never too late to start taking better care of your physical health. Your self-esteem will thank you for it.
I’ve found myself falling into this trap a lot.
As we age, it’s easy to start comparing our lives to those of others, especially with social media constantly showing us the highlight reels of other people’s lives.
I remember scrolling through Facebook one day and seeing a friend’s post about her recent trip to Italy.
I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. Why wasn’t I traveling the world? Why wasn’t my life as exciting as hers?
But then I realized, I was comparing my everyday life to her best moments.
And that’s not a fair comparison. It only led to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
What worked for me was to stop comparing myself to others and instead focus on my own journey and accomplishments.
It’s not about how you stack up against others, but how far you’ve come and all the things you’ve achieved.
Next time you find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s, remember that everyone is on their own unique path.
Concentrate on your own growth and progress, and watch your self-esteem soar.
It’s easy to get caught up in regrets about the past or worries about the future. But when we do this, we’re not truly living in the present moment.
And this can have a huge impact on our self-esteem.
Why? Because when we’re constantly focused on the past or future, we’re not acknowledging and appreciating who we are right now.
We’re not recognizing our current strengths, achievements, and worth.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help us stay grounded in the present. It’s something I delve into deeply in my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment“.
In it, I share practical techniques for cultivating mindfulness in your day-to-day life, helping you to let go of past regrets and future worries, and focus on the here and now.
This can be incredibly empowering and can significantly boost your self-esteem.
If you’re ready to start living more mindfully and boost your self-esteem in the process, I encourage you to check out my book.
Start living in the present moment – it’s where you’ll find your true worth.
There was a time when I based my worth on what others thought of me.
Their praise was my fuel, their criticism, my downfall. It was a shaky foundation for self-esteem, to say the least.
Relying on external validation is like building a house on sand. It might feel solid for a while, but when the tide comes in, it all comes crashing down.
The truth is, nobody’s opinion about you matters more than your own.
The moment I started valuing my own opinion above others’, my self-esteem took a significant leap. I was no longer at the mercy of other people’s views.
Instead, I learned to rely on my own sense of self-worth.
Forget about pleasing everyone else. Focus on what makes you happy and fulfilled. Your self-esteem will thank you for it.
This might sound surprising, but striving for perfection can actually harm your self-esteem.
Yes, it’s good to have high standards, but when you’re constantly chasing perfection, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Perfection is an illusion, an unattainable standard. When you always aim for it, you’re bound to fall short.
And each time you do, your self-esteem takes a hit.
Instead of striving for perfection, aim for progress. Celebrate every small victory and improvement.
Recognize that mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey and not a reflection of your worth.
In the end, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about growing, learning, and becoming the best version of yourself. And trust me, that’s more than enough.
It’s human nature to stick with what’s familiar. We find comfort in routine, in the known. But staying too much in our comfort zone can stagnate our growth and dampen our self-esteem.
New experiences, though they may be scary at first, are opportunities for growth. They allow us to learn, to adapt, and to overcome challenges.
And each time we do, our self-esteem gets a boost.
Don’t shy away from trying something new. Be it a new hobby, a different career path, or even just a different type of cuisine. Embrace new experiences with open arms.
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. And so does a healthy boost to your self-esteem.
This is a big one. If you consistently overlook your achievements, it’s nearly impossible to maintain a high self-esteem.
Each win, no matter how small, is a testament to your capabilities and worth.
Don’t brush off your successes. Celebrate them. Acknowledge the hard work, determination, and skills that led to those victories.
Each time you do, you’re sending a powerful message to yourself: You are capable. You are worthy. And that’s the key to a healthy self-esteem as you get older.
Boosting your self-esteem as you get older isn’t something that happens overnight.
It’s a journey, one that requires conscious effort, self-reflection, and the willingness to let go of detrimental habits.
But here’s the good news: You have the power to make this change. You can choose to say goodbye to these habits and embrace practices that nurture your self-esteem.
Perhaps you’re wondering where to start. Well, mindfulness is a powerful tool in this journey.
It teaches you to live in the present and appreciate yourself for who you are right now.
This is something I explore in depth in my book, “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment“.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards boosting your self-esteem as you age, I highly recommend checking it out.
Remember, your self-esteem is not defined by your age or what others think of you.
It’s defined by how you see yourself. See yourself as someone worthy of respect and love, because that’s who you truly are.
The post If you want to boost your self-esteem as you get older, say goodbye to these 7 habits appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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