🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 11 (from laksa008)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa011.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://headsupguys.org/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://headsupguys.org/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence\/","crawl_time":1775825807,"first_indexed_time":1708479487,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,headsupguys!\/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence\/ s443","src_root_hash":"6967239545837457011","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem and Build Confidence | HeadsUpGuys","meta_descriptions":["Practical tips to build self-confidence and self-esteem to help men improve their mental health and self-worth."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Our mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like\nanxiety\nor\ndepression\n, it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall.\nIf we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth.\nIt’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve.\nBuilding up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for.\n1. Practice Positive Self-Talk\nWhen it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health.\nHaving negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going.\nIt’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with.\nHere are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence.\nPositive thoughts\n‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’\n‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’\n‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’\n‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’\nBeing grateful\n‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’\nGiving ourselves credit\n‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’\n‘I am valuable just the way I am.’\n‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’\n‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’\nAcknowledging good things\n‘Today was a good day.’\n‘That was a really fun event.’\nSome guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver.\nOur page on\nNegative Thinking\n can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts.\n2. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance\nWhen we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop.\nThree essential areas to focus on are:\na) getting regular\nphysical activity\nb)\neating healthy\nc) trying to get\nquality sleep\nThese three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others.\nWearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem.\nCheck out our article about the\nimportance of basic self-care\nand tips to help us feel more confident.\n3. Recognize Your Strengths\nIt’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online.\nRather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths.\nEvery guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars).\nDon’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too.\nDo something you’re good at\nWhen we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents.\n4. Define Your “Good Enough”\nIt’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem.\nFor example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person.\nSet personal boundaries\nWhen we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others.\nThis could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values.\nFor example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that.\n5. Keep a Journal\nWriting down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any\nnegative thinking patterns\n. Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues.\nSome things we can do when journaling include:\nCelebrate our achievements and progress\nReflect on our emotions and thoughts\nTrack our personal growth\nExpress gratitude\nExpress positive affirmations\nFocus on our strengths\nHow to\nget started with journalling\n.\n6. Surround Yourself with Positivity\nIf we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up.\nCut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better.\n7. Seek additional support\nIf you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support.\nAccording to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys,\nDr. John Ogrodniczuk\n, who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with.\nThere is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem.","attrs_markdown":"[HeadsUpGuys](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/)\n\nToggle navigation\n\n[Find a Therapist](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/getting-help-for-depression\/types-of-mental-health-professionals\/find-a-therapist\/) [Donate Now](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/depression-suicide-prevention-donation\/)\n\nTOP SEARCHES: [Depressed Thoughts](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/search\/depressed+thoughts) \\| [Suicidal Thoughts](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/search\/suicidal+thoughts) \\| [Loneliness](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/search\/loneliness) \\| [Helping a Friend](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/search\/helping+a+friend)\n\n- [Depression in Men](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/depression-in-men\/)\n- [Suicide in Men](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/suicide-in-men\/)\n- [Self-Check Suite](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/mental-health-screening-tools\/)\n- [Self Care](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/)\n- [Reach Out](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/getting-help-for-depression\/)\n- [Articles & Stories](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/articles\/ \"you-are-not-alone\")\n- [For Friends & Family](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-help-someone-with-depression\/)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/get-involved\/)\n\n[Find a Therapist](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/getting-help-for-depression\/types-of-mental-health-professionals\/find-a-therapist\/) [Donate Now](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/depression-suicide-prevention-donation\/)\n\nShare on:\n\n![](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/img\/hero-blog\/2024\/02\/self-esteem-banner.jpg)\n\n# How to Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem\n*Practical tips to build self-confidence and self-esteem to help men improve their mental health and self-worth.*\n\nMedically reviewed by [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, PhD](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/author\/john-ogrodniczuk\/) – Written by [Satyam Singh](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/author\/Satyam\/) and the [HeadsUpGuys Team](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/author\/headsupguys\/)\n\n*Posted February 20, 2024. Updated February 20, 2024.*\n\n\"Overcome self-doubt and take control of your life.\"\n\nOur mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like [anxiety](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/symptoms-of-anxiety-in-men\/) or [depression](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/mens-depression\/), it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall.\n\nIf we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth.\n\nIt’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve.\n\nBuilding up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for.\n\n## 1\\. Practice Positive Self-Talk\nWhen it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health.\n\nHaving negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going.\n\nIt’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with.\n\nHere are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence.\n\n**Positive thoughts**\n\n- ‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’\n- ‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’\n- ‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’\n- ‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’\n\n**Being grateful**\n\n- ‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’\n\n**Giving ourselves credit**\n\n- ‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’\n- ‘I am valuable just the way I am.’\n- ‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’\n- ‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’\n\n**Acknowledging good things**\n\n- ‘Today was a good day.’\n- ‘That was a really fun event.’\n\nSome guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver.\n\nOur page on [Negative Thinking](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/how-to-overcome-negative-thinking\/) can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts.\n\n## 2\\. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance\nWhen we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop.\n\nThree essential areas to focus on are:\n\n- a) getting regular [physical activity](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/physical-activity-exercise\/)\n- b) [eating healthy](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/food\/)\n- c) trying to get [quality sleep](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/sleep\/)\n\nThese three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others.\n\nWearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem.\n\nCheck out our article about the [importance of basic self-care](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/self-care-and-mental-health\/) and tips to help us feel more confident.\n\n## 3\\. Recognize Your Strengths\nIt’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online.\n\nRather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths.\n\nEvery guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars).\n\nDon’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too.\n\n**Do something you’re good at**\n\nWhen we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents.\n\n## 4\\. Define Your “Good Enough”\nIt’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem.\n\nFor example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person.\n\n**Set personal boundaries**\n\nWhen we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others.\n\nThis could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values.\n\nFor example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that.\n\n## 5\\. Keep a Journal\nWriting down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any [negative thinking patterns](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression\/). Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues.\n\nSome things we can do when journaling include:\n\n1. Celebrate our achievements and progress\n2. Reflect on our emotions and thoughts\n3. Track our personal growth\n4. Express gratitude\n5. Express positive affirmations\n6. Focus on our strengths\n\nHow to [get started with journalling](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/journaling-help-combat-depression\/).\n\n## 6\\. Surround Yourself with Positivity\nIf we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up.\n\nCut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better.\n\n## 7\\. Seek additional support\nIf you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support.\n\nAccording to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/author\/john-ogrodniczuk\/), who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with.\n\nThere is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem.\n\n[Guide to Therapy for Men](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/getting-help-for-depression\/treatment-options\/talk-therapy\/)\n***\n### Related Articles\n[16 Common Negative Thought Patterns in Depression It's easy to fall into negative thinking patterns while fighting depression. The first step to managing these thoughts is being able to recognize them.](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression\/)\n\n[Daily Routines to Improve your Mental Health Establishing daily routines can help provide predictably to your life, ease some of the stresses we face everyday, and improve your mental health.](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/daily-routines-improve-mental-health\/)\n\n[Guide to Therapy for Men It's time to start taking care of our minds. Here is our Guide to Therapy for Men, how it can help, and how to make the most of it.](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/therapy-men\/)\n\n## Launching Our New Peer Support Course\\!\nToo many men suffer in silence. Become a peer supporter for the men in your life.\n\nIn this four-part course (15–20 min each), you’ll learn what effective peer support looks like, how to show up for others, and how to stay grounded while doing so.\n\n[Start Course](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/courses\/mental-health-peer-support\/)\n\n### HeadsUpGuys\n- [About Us](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/about-us)\n- [FAQ](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/faq\/) \\| [Contact Us](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/contact-headsupguys\/)\n- [Terms, Conditions, and Privacy](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/terms-conditions-and-privacy)\n- [Helpful Links](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/helpful-links\/)\n- [Crisis Lines\/Chats](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/suicide-in-men\/crisis-lines-chats\/)\n\n### Our Impact\n- [Testimonials](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/testimonials\/)\n- [Impact and Engagement](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/our-impact\/)\n- [HeadsUpGuys Research](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/mens-mental-health-research\/)\n\n### Our Community\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/get-involved)\n- [Newsletter Sign Up](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/sign-up)\n- [Our Community Partners](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/get-involved\/our-community-partners\/)\n- [Grieving After a Suicide](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/losing-someone-suicide-grieve\/)\n\n### Support Us\nHelp improve men’s mental health and join the fight to prevent suicide.\n\n[Donate Now](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/depression-suicide-prevention-donation\/)\n\nWe use cookies to make sure our website can function, measure traffic, support promotions, and inform research. By using HeadsUpGuys, you agree to our use of cookies. See our [privacy policy](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/terms-conditions-and-privacy\/) for more info and how to opt-out.\n\n[Okay]()","attrs_readable_markdown":"Our mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like [anxiety](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/symptoms-of-anxiety-in-men\/) or [depression](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/mens-depression\/), it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall.\n\nIf we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth.\n\nIt’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve.\n\nBuilding up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for.\n\n## 1\\. Practice Positive Self-Talk\nWhen it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health.\n\nHaving negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going.\n\nIt’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with.\n\nHere are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence.\n\n**Positive thoughts**\n\n- ‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’\n- ‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’\n- ‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’\n- ‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’\n\n**Being grateful**\n\n- ‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’\n\n**Giving ourselves credit**\n\n- ‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’\n- ‘I am valuable just the way I am.’\n- ‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’\n- ‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’\n\n**Acknowledging good things**\n\n- ‘Today was a good day.’\n- ‘That was a really fun event.’\n\nSome guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver.\n\nOur page on [Negative Thinking](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/how-to-overcome-negative-thinking\/) can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts.\n\n## 2\\. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance\nWhen we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop.\n\nThree essential areas to focus on are:\n\n- a) getting regular [physical activity](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/physical-activity-exercise\/)\n- b) [eating healthy](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/food\/)\n- c) trying to get [quality sleep](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/how-to-fight-depression\/essential-coping-skills\/sleep\/)\n\nThese three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others.\n\nWearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem.\n\nCheck out our article about the [importance of basic self-care](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/self-care-and-mental-health\/) and tips to help us feel more confident.\n\n## 3\\. Recognize Your Strengths\nIt’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online.\n\nRather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths.\n\nEvery guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars).\n\nDon’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too.\n\n**Do something you’re good at**\n\nWhen we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents.\n\n## 4\\. Define Your “Good Enough”\nIt’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem.\n\nFor example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person.\n\n**Set personal boundaries**\n\nWhen we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others.\n\nThis could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values.\n\nFor example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that.\n\n## 5\\. Keep a Journal\nWriting down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any [negative thinking patterns](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression\/). Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues.\n\nSome things we can do when journaling include:\n\n1. Celebrate our achievements and progress\n2. Reflect on our emotions and thoughts\n3. Track our personal growth\n4. Express gratitude\n5. Express positive affirmations\n6. Focus on our strengths\n\nHow to [get started with journalling](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/journaling-help-combat-depression\/).\n\n## 6\\. Surround Yourself with Positivity\nIf we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up.\n\nCut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better.\n\n## 7\\. Seek additional support\nIf you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support.\n\nAccording to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk](https:\/\/headsupguys.org\/author\/john-ogrodniczuk\/), who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with.\n\nThere is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem.","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/People_and_Society\":697,\"\/People_and_Society\/Self-Help_and_Motivational\":695,\"\/Health\":666,\"\/Health\/Mental_Health\":658,\"\/Health\/Mental_Health\/Anxiety_and_Stress\":345}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":999,\"\/Article\/How_to\":867}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Informational\":999}","meta_language":"en-ca","attrs_author":"Satyam Singh","attrs_publish_time":1708453548,"attrs_original_publish_time":1708453548,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"1739","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"1376","body_ext_links_number":7,"body_int_links_number":49,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":1,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":177,"download_ttfb_msec":177,"download_size":13583}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

13 days ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0.4 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://headsupguys.org/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence/

Last Crawled

2026-04-10 12:56:47 (13 days ago)

First Indexed

2024-02-21 01:38:07 (2 years ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem and Build Confidence | HeadsUpGuys

Meta Description

Practical tips to build self-confidence and self-esteem to help men improve their mental health and self-worth.

Meta Canonical

null

Boilerpipe Text

Our mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like anxiety or depression , it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall. If we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth. It’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve. Building up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for. 1. Practice Positive Self-Talk When it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health. Having negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going. It’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with. Here are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence. Positive thoughts ‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’ ‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’ ‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’ ‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’ Being grateful ‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’ Giving ourselves credit ‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’ ‘I am valuable just the way I am.’ ‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’ ‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’ Acknowledging good things ‘Today was a good day.’ ‘That was a really fun event.’ Some guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver. Our page on Negative Thinking can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts. 2. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance When we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop. Three essential areas to focus on are: a) getting regular physical activity b) eating healthy c) trying to get quality sleep These three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others. Wearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem. Check out our article about the importance of basic self-care and tips to help us feel more confident. 3. Recognize Your Strengths It’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online. Rather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths. Every guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars). Don’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too. Do something you’re good at When we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents. 4. Define Your “Good Enough” It’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem. For example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person. Set personal boundaries When we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others. This could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values. For example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that. 5. Keep a Journal Writing down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any negative thinking patterns . Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues. Some things we can do when journaling include: Celebrate our achievements and progress Reflect on our emotions and thoughts Track our personal growth Express gratitude Express positive affirmations Focus on our strengths How to get started with journalling . 6. Surround Yourself with Positivity If we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up. Cut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better. 7. Seek additional support If you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support. According to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, Dr. John Ogrodniczuk , who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with. There is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem.

Markdown

[HeadsUpGuys](https://headsupguys.org/) Toggle navigation [Find a Therapist](https://headsupguys.org/getting-help-for-depression/types-of-mental-health-professionals/find-a-therapist/) [Donate Now](https://headsupguys.org/depression-suicide-prevention-donation/) TOP SEARCHES: [Depressed Thoughts](https://headsupguys.org/search/depressed+thoughts) \| [Suicidal Thoughts](https://headsupguys.org/search/suicidal+thoughts) \| [Loneliness](https://headsupguys.org/search/loneliness) \| [Helping a Friend](https://headsupguys.org/search/helping+a+friend) - [Depression in Men](https://headsupguys.org/depression-in-men/) - [Suicide in Men](https://headsupguys.org/suicide-in-men/) - [Self-Check Suite](https://headsupguys.org/mental-health-screening-tools/) - [Self Care](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/) - [Reach Out](https://headsupguys.org/getting-help-for-depression/) - [Articles & Stories](https://headsupguys.org/articles/ "you-are-not-alone") - [For Friends & Family](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-help-someone-with-depression/) - [Get Involved](https://headsupguys.org/get-involved/) [Find a Therapist](https://headsupguys.org/getting-help-for-depression/types-of-mental-health-professionals/find-a-therapist/) [Donate Now](https://headsupguys.org/depression-suicide-prevention-donation/) Share on: ![](https://headsupguys.org/img/hero-blog/2024/02/self-esteem-banner.jpg) # How to Build Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem *Practical tips to build self-confidence and self-esteem to help men improve their mental health and self-worth.* Medically reviewed by [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, PhD](https://headsupguys.org/author/john-ogrodniczuk/) – Written by [Satyam Singh](https://headsupguys.org/author/Satyam/) and the [HeadsUpGuys Team](https://headsupguys.org/author/headsupguys/) *Posted February 20, 2024. Updated February 20, 2024.* "Overcome self-doubt and take control of your life." Our mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like [anxiety](https://headsupguys.org/symptoms-of-anxiety-in-men/) or [depression](https://headsupguys.org/mens-depression/), it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall. If we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth. It’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve. Building up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for. ## 1\. Practice Positive Self-Talk When it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health. Having negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going. It’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with. Here are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence. **Positive thoughts** - ‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’ - ‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’ - ‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’ - ‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’ **Being grateful** - ‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’ **Giving ourselves credit** - ‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’ - ‘I am valuable just the way I am.’ - ‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’ - ‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’ **Acknowledging good things** - ‘Today was a good day.’ - ‘That was a really fun event.’ Some guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver. Our page on [Negative Thinking](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/how-to-overcome-negative-thinking/) can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts. ## 2\. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance When we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop. Three essential areas to focus on are: - a) getting regular [physical activity](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/physical-activity-exercise/) - b) [eating healthy](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/food/) - c) trying to get [quality sleep](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/sleep/) These three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others. Wearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem. Check out our article about the [importance of basic self-care](https://headsupguys.org/self-care-and-mental-health/) and tips to help us feel more confident. ## 3\. Recognize Your Strengths It’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online. Rather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths. Every guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars). Don’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too. **Do something you’re good at** When we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents. ## 4\. Define Your “Good Enough” It’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem. For example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person. **Set personal boundaries** When we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others. This could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values. For example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that. ## 5\. Keep a Journal Writing down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any [negative thinking patterns](https://headsupguys.org/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression/). Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues. Some things we can do when journaling include: 1. Celebrate our achievements and progress 2. Reflect on our emotions and thoughts 3. Track our personal growth 4. Express gratitude 5. Express positive affirmations 6. Focus on our strengths How to [get started with journalling](https://headsupguys.org/journaling-help-combat-depression/). ## 6\. Surround Yourself with Positivity If we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up. Cut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better. ## 7\. Seek additional support If you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support. According to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk](https://headsupguys.org/author/john-ogrodniczuk/), who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with. There is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem. [Guide to Therapy for Men](https://headsupguys.org/getting-help-for-depression/treatment-options/talk-therapy/) *** ### Related Articles [16 Common Negative Thought Patterns in Depression It's easy to fall into negative thinking patterns while fighting depression. The first step to managing these thoughts is being able to recognize them.](https://headsupguys.org/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression/) [Daily Routines to Improve your Mental Health Establishing daily routines can help provide predictably to your life, ease some of the stresses we face everyday, and improve your mental health.](https://headsupguys.org/daily-routines-improve-mental-health/) [Guide to Therapy for Men It's time to start taking care of our minds. Here is our Guide to Therapy for Men, how it can help, and how to make the most of it.](https://headsupguys.org/therapy-men/) ## Launching Our New Peer Support Course\! Too many men suffer in silence. Become a peer supporter for the men in your life. In this four-part course (15–20 min each), you’ll learn what effective peer support looks like, how to show up for others, and how to stay grounded while doing so. [Start Course](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/courses/mental-health-peer-support/) ### HeadsUpGuys - [About Us](https://headsupguys.org/about-us) - [FAQ](https://headsupguys.org/faq/) \| [Contact Us](https://headsupguys.org/contact-headsupguys/) - [Terms, Conditions, and Privacy](https://headsupguys.org/terms-conditions-and-privacy) - [Helpful Links](https://headsupguys.org/helpful-links/) - [Crisis Lines/Chats](https://headsupguys.org/suicide-in-men/crisis-lines-chats/) ### Our Impact - [Testimonials](https://headsupguys.org/testimonials/) - [Impact and Engagement](https://headsupguys.org/our-impact/) - [HeadsUpGuys Research](https://headsupguys.org/mens-mental-health-research/) ### Our Community - [Get Involved](https://headsupguys.org/get-involved) - [Newsletter Sign Up](https://headsupguys.org/sign-up) - [Our Community Partners](https://headsupguys.org/get-involved/our-community-partners/) - [Grieving After a Suicide](https://headsupguys.org/losing-someone-suicide-grieve/) ### Support Us Help improve men’s mental health and join the fight to prevent suicide. [Donate Now](https://headsupguys.org/depression-suicide-prevention-donation/) We use cookies to make sure our website can function, measure traffic, support promotions, and inform research. By using HeadsUpGuys, you agree to our use of cookies. See our [privacy policy](https://headsupguys.org/terms-conditions-and-privacy/) for more info and how to opt-out. [Okay]()

Readable Markdown

Our mental health and self-esteem are tied closely together. When we’re struggling with a mental health issue like [anxiety](https://headsupguys.org/symptoms-of-anxiety-in-men/) or [depression](https://headsupguys.org/mens-depression/), it’s easy for negative self-talk to erode our sense of self-worth. This lack of confidence can make it challenging to work on improving our mental health and life overall. If we don’t think we’re worth the effort, it’s much harder to convince ourselves to reach out. But the reality is that every one of us is valuable, and it’s essential that we are able recognize our inherent self-worth. It’s not uncommon for men to struggle with low self-esteem, even for guys who are at the top of their field. A famous athlete may seem confident on the court, but inside, he could be suffering from the same self-doubt that plagues the rest of us. External factors like money and fame do not translate to high self-esteem, as our sense of self-worth is very personal and subjective. The good news is this means our self-esteem is something we can work on to improve. Building up our self-esteem is a gradual process, but getting to a place where we feel more confident, capable, and resilient is totally possible. In this article, we’ll explore actionable tips to help us boost our self-worth and show ourselves that we’re worth fighting for. ## 1\. Practice Positive Self-Talk When it comes to self-esteem, we can be our own worst enemy. Our self-talk is the constant stream of thoughts we have about ourselves. Our mental health can greatly influence the direction of our self-talk to be either positive or negative, and in turn, that self-talk will influence our mental health. Having negative self-talk is like dealing with a bully who doesn’t believe in you and is constantly telling you how bad you are. It’s exhausting and it can really wear down our confidence regardless of how well any aspects of our lives are going. It’s important to pay attention to our self-talk and replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. This means treating ourselves with the same kind of encouragement and compassion that we would treat a friend with. Here are some ways to use positive affirmations to better build our confidence. **Positive thoughts** - ‘I am capable of handling tough situations.’ - ‘I’ve successfully faced challenges before and can do it again.’ - ‘I am deserving of happiness, love, and respect.’ - ‘I am strong and resilient. I can get through this.’ **Being grateful** - ‘I am grateful for the good things in my life.’ **Giving ourselves credit** - ‘I don’t need to compare myself to others. I am proud of myself and my abilities.’ - ‘I am valuable just the way I am.’ - ‘I don’t have to be perfect to have worth.’ - ‘I didn’t get everything on my to-do list done, but I worked on it and made progress.’ **Acknowledging good things** - ‘Today was a good day.’ - ‘That was a really fun event.’ Some guys find it helpful to write down positive affirmations like those above. You can pick a few that resonate with you to think about at the start of each day or whenever your confidence begins to waver. Our page on [Negative Thinking](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/how-to-overcome-negative-thinking/) can help you work on further ways to identify and manage negative thoughts. ## 2\. Take Care of Your Physical Health and Your Appearance When we put more effort to look after ourselves, we end up feeling greater self-worth, and the more worthy we feel, the more we want to look after ourselves. It’s a great positive feedback loop. Three essential areas to focus on are: - a) getting regular [physical activity](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/physical-activity-exercise/) - b) [eating healthy](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/food/) - c) trying to get [quality sleep](https://headsupguys.org/how-to-fight-depression/essential-coping-skills/sleep/) These three areas feed into each other, and making progress in one can help the others. Wearing clothes we like, combing our hair, and shaving or trimming how we like can also make us feel good about ourselves, and in turn boost our confidence and self-esteem. Check out our article about the [importance of basic self-care](https://headsupguys.org/self-care-and-mental-health/) and tips to help us feel more confident. ## 3\. Recognize Your Strengths It’s not uncommon for guys to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. We often weigh our personal achievements and accomplishments against those of others around us or online. Rather than fixating on these comparisons, which can really harm our self-esteem and overall well-being, we should try to focus on what really matters – our own unique talents, skills, and strengths. Every guy has strengths and things he excels at. Try to make a list of your strengths and be proud of them. These strengths can be anything from being a good listener, having a strong work ethic, being kind toward others and generous with your time, or having particular skills (e.g., woodworking, cooking, or fixing cars). Don’t underestimate the value of aptitudes and strengths that help you feel like a good person and which contribute to helping others around you feel good as well (e.g., kindness, open-mindedness, curious, generous, honest). These strengths also help those around you feel better about themselves too. **Do something you’re good at** When we do something we’re good at, it can boost our self-esteem and make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s playing a sport, painting or playing an instrument, focus on your strengths and enjoy the activity, while challenging yourself to refine your talents. ## 4\. Define Your “Good Enough” It’s important to define for ourselves important values and principles that shape our sense of selves as “good enough” and how we engage with the world around us, guiding our decisions and actions. Whether it’s honesty or compassion, staying true to our beliefs helps cultivate a strong sense of self and reinforces self-esteem. For example, you may define being kind to others as an important value for yourself and see it as a characteristic of being a good person. As you act in a kind way, you manifest kindness and thus feel good about being a kind person. **Set personal boundaries** When we set and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves, we not only align with our principles, but also assert our “good enough” selves and gain respect from others. This could mean living according to your faith or saying no to participating in things that make you feel uncomfortable or don’t align with your values. For example, if you are taking a break from drinking, try not to let your buddies convince you to have a beer. Whatever the decision or belief you have, if it’s important to you, it’s important for your actions to match that. ## 5\. Keep a Journal Writing down our thoughts and feelings can help us understand our self-talk and identify any [negative thinking patterns](https://headsupguys.org/common-negative-thought-patterns-in-depression/). Journaling can also help us remember and look back at all the things we’ve achieved or make us feel good about ourselves. It can remind us of our strengths when we’re feeling low and also serve as a way to work through challenges and issues. Some things we can do when journaling include: 1. Celebrate our achievements and progress 2. Reflect on our emotions and thoughts 3. Track our personal growth 4. Express gratitude 5. Express positive affirmations 6. Focus on our strengths How to [get started with journalling](https://headsupguys.org/journaling-help-combat-depression/). ## 6\. Surround Yourself with Positivity If we’re surrounded by negative people who criticize or put us down, it can be challenging to maintain healthy self-esteem. Try to surround yourself with positive, supportive people who encourage and lift you up. Cut ties with people who consistently bring you down by pointing out your flaws, making fun of you, or filling you with self-doubt. You deserve better. ## 7\. Seek additional support If you have been struggling with low self-esteem for a while and you’ve not been able to get to the point where you truly like yourself, it’s important to seek professional support. According to the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, [Dr. John Ogrodniczuk](https://headsupguys.org/author/john-ogrodniczuk/), who is a world renowned psychotherapy clinician, researcher, and educator, low self-esteem is by far the most common issue that people struggle with, underlying a huge proportion of the mental health challenges that guys struggle with. There is no shame in seeking professional support and getting ourselves the help we deserve. Trained and experienced professionals can help you work through your feelings, develop healthy coping strategies, and build self-esteem.

ML Classification

ML Categories

/People_and_Society		69.7%
/People_and_Society/Self-Help_and_Motivational		69.5%
/Health		66.6%
/Health/Mental_Health		65.8%
/Health/Mental_Health/Anxiety_and_Stress		34.5%

Raw JSON

{
    "/People_and_Society": 697,
    "/People_and_Society/Self-Help_and_Motivational": 695,
    "/Health": 666,
    "/Health/Mental_Health": 658,
    "/Health/Mental_Health/Anxiety_and_Stress": 345
}

ML Page Types

/Article		99.9%
/Article/How_to		86.7%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Article": 999,
    "/Article/How_to": 867
}

ML Intent Types

Informational

99.9%

Raw JSON

{
    "Informational": 999
}

Content Metadata

Language

en-ca

Author

Satyam Singh

Publish Time

2024-02-20 18:25:48 (2 years ago)

Original Publish Time

2024-02-20 18:25:48 (2 years ago)

Republished

Word Count (Total)

1,739

Word Count (Content)

1,376

Links

External Links

Internal Links

Technical SEO

Meta Nofollow

Meta Noarchive

JS Rendered

Yes

Redirect Target

null

Performance

Download Time (ms)

177

TTFB (ms)

177

Download Size (bytes)

13,583

Shard

11 (laksa)

Root Hash

6967239545837457011

Unparsed URL

org,headsupguys!/how-to-overcome-low-self-esteem-and-build-confidence/ s443