Self-esteem is a powerful force that helps you overcome challenges and love yourself. However, studies show that self-esteem among women tend to be much lower than in men. According to the National Organization for Women, 78 percent of girls aged 17 are unhappy with their bodies. Lack of confidence in their appearance can affect a woman’s confidence in other areas in life. This can snowball quickly, leading to lack of interest in others, increased self-doubt and hostility.
Low self-esteem is recognized by medical professional as a serious problem plaguing women all over America.
Below are five ways you can improve your self-esteem as well as that of another woman’s when they need a confidence boost.
1. Look the Way You Want
Appearances are some of the most powerful tools for boosting your self-confidence. You can love the way you look and still aspire to change it as long as you are in the right mindset. It’s also better if you change your appearance gradually and with a healthy outlook.
For example, sudden dieting is problematic but doing so under the guidance of a nutritionist can be life changing. Non-surgical options and cosmetic procedures, such as treatment for women’s hair loss or dyeing your hair can perk you right up. So long as your motivations are for yourself, you can change up your looks as much as you want. Even small changes to your appearance can improve your outlook on yourself. Did you ever want to have blonde hair? Why not dye it for a spell?
2. Stop Comparing Yourself
One of the leading causes of dissatisfaction with yourself can be comparing your looks, achievements or life with someone else. Comparing yourself with celebrities, models and influencers can be a very dangerous path that ends up with your self-esteem in pieces. It’s wise to remember that these very successful people have access to resources that allow them to look or live the way they do. Actors have armies of staff to allow them to focus on looking good, for example.
You should also stop comparing yourself to more successful friends or acquaintances. You progress at your own pace because of your unique circumstances. Accepting that fact will lead you to accepting yourself.
3. Dress Smartly
They say clothes make the man and the same thing applies to women. Dressing the way you want to dress is perfectly fine. In fact, you should prioritize comfort most of the time, so you don’t jeopardize your well-being.
However, when you need a massive boost of confidence, dressing smartly can be the way to go. This may be especially uplifting after months of quarantines and lockdowns. If you regularly telecommute for work, ditch the t-shirts and hoodies for a dress or a smart suit instead. Putting on makeup and dressing in your finest clothes even for just a family dinner or a Zoom hangout with friends can just the thing your confidence needs.
4. Celebrate Every Victory
Too often low self-esteem starts by ignoring how important your small victories are. Some accomplishments may not seem like such a big deal, but they are actually quite important when you take into account your situation.
For example, you may not think that cleaning up your room counts as a major victory, but if you managed to do that on top of working a full-time job and juggling your personal life, it can be very impressive. Each small step you accomplish towards a larger goal can be a victory unto itself. If you are writing a novel, each chapter you finish is still a victory.
Learning to embrace all your victories is uplifting and highlights your capabilities to the one person who matters most: yourself.
5. Be Supportive of Others
Finally, one of the best ways to improve your self-esteem is create a supportive network of friends and families. Uplift other women in your life and you can be surprised how this support will return to you.
Popular culture depicts female friend groups as vicious but that is often not the case. If you are in such an arrangement, you can begin the change by opening an honest conversation about support and how women should uplift each other. Provide honest but tactful suggestions instead of hurtful criticism, celebrate your female friend’s victories and help them through their own problems with self-confidence.
Your self-esteem and other women’s self-esteem are precious and need to be nurtured. Tending to your own needs and elevating your feelings about yourself is crucial if you want to embody the powerful, confident and beautiful woman you are meant to be.