Symptoms of Low Self Esteem Are Not Causes
Symptoms of low self esteem should never be allowed to persist as a normal part of life. They merely exist for getting our attention that something is wrong and out of balance.
If we suffer from depression, fear, loneliness and other negative thoughts, we experience the symptoms of low self esteem.
These symptoms are road signs warning us of the path we’re on. This awareness is the first step toward removing the causes of low self esteem. This is when you begin to feel empowered to make healthier life choices.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get what we want in life instead of what we don’t want? There are some things that everyone wants – to name a few.
- to feel better,
- to feel loved,
- to make better decisions,
- to be happier and more productive,
- to make more money.
Understanding and being aware of what motivates and drives you to make decisions can bring you closer to living from choice and choosing what you want for your life. The first step is to recognize where and when you have a choice and letting go of the areas where you have little or no choice.
Causes of Low Self Esteem 
In the first part of the 19th century, a man named Abraham Maslow presented a paper on how human motivations generally move from “deficiency needs” to “being needs”, which means that we are pre-wired with a drive to meet our needs.
Using a pyramid diagram Maslow described the hierarchy of needs with physiological needs at the base and self-actualization needs at the top.
When the lower needs are not met, it can breed low self esteem.
“Deficiency needs” (also called “emotional needs”) can be described as love, sex, affection and family. When humans experience the hunger to meet these compelling needs we experience survival, safety and security (or lack of).
“Being needs” are higher intellectual needs that emerge after emotional needs are met. They are experienced in terms of self expression and self actualization as self esteem is boosted.
The needs of humans emerging from the lowest to the highest motivations can also map the human struggle to get ahead and improve life conditions, ranging from great health to finding the ideal mate to making money and raising one’s position in community.
Natural Treatment for Negativism
There are 3 categories of choice: no choice, influence and choice. “No choice” is when you have no control. Some “no choice” areas are death and other people. Trying to change either will only create misery.
Acceptance is your only choice for “no choice” areas. Your happiness depends on your choosing in areas where you have “choice” or “influence”.
Get on the road to happiness. Boost your self esteem through choice in these areas:
- How you feel
- How you behave
- How you interpret the world around you
Recognize the causes and symptoms of low self esteem and open yourself to change. You don’t need to force it or work hard to make it happen. Having awareness is enough to evoke a change – a change from depression to happiness, from resentment to gratitude, from helplessness to self actualization.
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