Busy Parent? 6 Ways to Maintain Healthy Self-Esteem
Mighty Mommy shares 6 ways you can stay motivated and maintain a healthy self-esteem even during your busiest years of being a parent.
Cheryl Butler
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Busy Parent? 6 Ways to Maintain Healthy Self-Esteem
Train yourself to dismiss the bad thoughts and instead replace them with a positive thought. For example, instead of framing my new haircut with “I can’t believe I went back to bangs with such a round face,” instead tilt the perspective with, “I like how my new bangs showcase my big, brown eyes.” It’s a much kinder statement and much better at building self-esteem, especially when you get in the habit of nixing the negative and replacing it with something positive.
Tip #3: Smile!
One quick and easy way to improve how you feel about yourself is to make the conscious effort to smile! Make eye contact with strangers in the grocery store and flash them a warm and friendly smile. When you pass by a mirror, smile at yourself! Smile when you’re talking on the phone, it automatically sends a friendly vibe. Smiling is a tiny gesture that can have a ripple effect with those you come in contact with. A confident person is able to smile in nearly any situation almost like a magnetic reaction drawing others towards you because of it.
Tip #4: Don’t Compete With Others
One way to cripple your perception of yourself is by comparing your life to someone else’s. With the long arms and growing influence of social media, it’s easier than ever to read posts and look at photos showcasing how wonderful another’s life seems to be. Do yourself a favor and don’t believe everything you see or hear when it comes to the successes and triumphs of friends and acquaintances. Instead, practice gratitude for what’s going well in your own life and appreciate your own family, your health, your pets, your job, your favorite brownie, and anything else that makes you feel great. The more you count your blessings, the healthier your self-image will become.
Tip #5: Identify Your Gifts
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I’m wonderful with words but not so good with numbers. My best friend can decorate like Martha Stewart but can’t find her way around the kitchen. Recognize what your strengths are and the feelings of confidence that exude because of them, especially during a time you’re feeling pretty low.
Psychotherapist Kristie Overstreet, LPCC, CST, CAP, suggests asking yourself, “Was there a time in your life where you had better self-esteem? What were you doing at that stage of your life?” If it’s difficult for you to identify your unique gifts, ask a friend to point them out to you. Sometimes it’s easier for others to see the best in us than it is for us to see it in ourselves.
When you manage to keep both yourself and your home organized you naturally feel more positive about yourself.
Tip #6: Stay Organized
Today’s parents are juggling more activities, obligations, work commitments, and family matters than ever before. With life continually getting busier, there is one thing that can make the difference between a crazed, insecure, harried demeanor and a calm, cool and confident one—organization!
When you manage to keep both yourself and your home organized you naturally feel more positive about yourself because it feels good to have a sense of order in your life. According to Shape, a study conducted from Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found people with cluttered homes, or homes filled with unfinished projects, were more depressed, fatigued and had higher cortisol levels than those who had their living space in order. Therefore, after decluttering and organizing, you should feel happier with yourself and more relaxed.
How do you keep your self-esteem in tact? Share your thoughts in the comments section at quickanddirtytips.com/mighty-mommy, post your ideas on the Mighty Mommy Facebook page. or email me at mommy@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Visit my family-friendly boards at Pinterest.com/MightyMommyQDT
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About the Author
Cheryl L. Butler was the host of the Mighty Mommy podcast for nine years from 2012 to 2021. She is the mother of eight children. Her experiences with infertility, adoption, seven pregnancies, and raising children with developmental delays have helped her become a resource on the joys and challenges of parenting. You can reach her by email.