Healthy Self-Esteem: An Alternative to Self-Pity vs. Narcissism

Many people’s lack of happiness and success in life can be attributed to low self-esteem and confidence.

Many people simple don’t believe in themselves. They think that they are incapable and inadequate when it comes to achieving their own dreams, goals, and values; thus, they find themselves in a constant state of self-pity, disappointment, or even self-hate.

The problem with this view is that it is rarely an accurate depiction of reality. Instead, our self-perception has created the fact.

Low self-esteem often feeds into itself in a never-ending feedback loop between negative attitudes → negative actions → negative results.

And once we have recycled this process over and over again (hundreds, if not thousands of times), we begin to accept it as the only possible reality that exists, which is often not the case.

Negative self-esteem is a process that can be broken out of, but we have to do it mindfully. Some people begin to do some self-reflection and they notice the negative effects of their views and beliefs. But, in a fit of desperation, they go to the other extreme and begin to turn selfish and narcissistic.

They start to think the whole world should bend to their will and that they deserve everything (because maybe this will finally bring it to them). But just like the self-pitying individual, the narcissist will also find themselves unsatisfied.

Narcissism is sometimes described as “excessive self-love.” It is when we see ourselves as the center of the universe and deserving of everything that it has to offer.

This attitude is incredibly unattractive to others, because it often creates vanity and self-obsession. When one becomes solely concerned with oneself and one’s own desires, it is tough to build meaningful and satisfying relationships with others.

While the goal of narcissistic individuals is to achieve their own happiness, they rarely find it before changing their ways.

Instead, we often need to find a “middle ground” between self-pity and narcissism.

Self-Pity vs. Narcissism
Put a halt to black and white thinking.

Narcissism and self-pity are equally extreme and detrimental to one’s pursuit of happiness. But sometimes black-and-white thinking makes us believe that we need to choose between the two. However, I see them as two different manifestations of the same process.

People who are narcissistic may seem like they “love” themselves, but it’s often a facade to a deeper feeling of insecurity. When people boast and brag endlessly, it’s as if they need to “prove themselves” to others. And how can someone who needs to constantly be validated by other people possibly have “healthy self-esteem?”

In the same way, I’ve noticed how my own past attitudes of negative self-perception and low self-esteem have led me to become increasingly narcissistic and arrogant.

I thought that since my self-pity didn’t work, I had to jump to the opposite extreme and be self-indulgent.

But I was dead wrong. My narcissism was just a way to mask my weaknesses and insecurities, not confront them in a healthy and productive way.

Healthy Self-Esteem
Acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses.

Healthy self-esteem requires that we can acknowledge and appreciate our strengths, but also accept our shortcomings and insecurities. It requires that you first become 100% honest with yourself.

This process begins by understanding that everyone excels in some areas of life, but not so much in others. Perfection is a myth of human nature, and once we relinquish that desire for it, we are free to be ourselves without seeking unrealistic ideals

When we acknowledge our strengths, we find value in ourselves, and we become more motivated to build on those strengths. When we acknowledge our shortcomings, we can try to improve those which are in our control, and let go of worrying about the ones that we can’t control.

Some of this requires self-awareness and self-reflection. Merely jamming affirmations down your throat won’t mean anything if you haven’t developed a clearer understanding of what you value, what you believe, what you want to achieve, and what you are capable of. It is important that we always ask ourselves what we truly value and believe before adopting what other people tell us we should value and believe. No one’s perspective can substitute your own self-awareness.

In this way, we are partly responsible for our values, beliefs, actions, and accomplishments. This can lead to a great feeling when we find ourselves taking positive action and achieving these values. Please don’t hesitate to relish in pride every now and then. If you achieve something great, you deserve to feel great for it. That’s a healthy part of the balance.

Accepting our responsibility can also lead us to feel even worse when we don’t get what we want – because we realize that we may be partly to blame. Feeling blame and guilt isn’t always a bad thing, sometimes it’s a sign that you realize you did something wrong and you want to change it. It shows your human, and it shows you’re willing to work on your occasional shortcomings. Don’t feel down just for feeling down, allow yourself to experience these feelings because they are often a sign of emotional intelligence. Listen to your feelings – whether “positive” or “negative” – because often there is a nugget of knowledge there to help guide you into the future.

People with healthy self-esteem don’t need to always feel awesome (which the typical narcissist craves). Instead, they can be comfortable in these “negative” states too – even the occasional burst of self-doubt, which is a natural phase we all go through during certain periods of our life.

At the same time, those with healthy self-esteem don’t get addicted to self-doubt like others may. They allow themselves to experience it, then learn from it, let it go, and move on putting their best foot forward.

Those with healthy self-esteem have a deeper sense of self-awareness that goes beyond “surface feelings” of pleasure, pain, good, bad. They see the bigger picture – and recognize themselves as a more dynamic “whole” than what these false choices usually have to offer (pleasure/pain, good/bad, right/wrong).

Black-and-white thinking is rarely an accurate depiction of reality, and often a smart, flexible balance needs to be practiced.

Basic Principles of Healthy Self-Esteem
A summary of some key ideas when cultivating healthier self-esteem.

Healthy self-esteem varies from person to person. What makes me feel good about myself may be remarkable different than what makes you feel good about yourself. Despite these differences, I think there are some basic principles that we should keep in mind:

• You are a multi-dimensional person with both strengths and weakness.
• You are dynamic and constantly growing and evolving in new ways.
• You can take your strengths and build upon them.
• You can take many of my weakness and improve them.
• You can let go of the weaknesses you have little to no control over.
• You don’t need to seek the myth of “perfection.”
• You don’t have to prove yourself to others.
• You know your values and goals in life and how to act on them.
• You are capable of overcoming obstacles and learning from failures.
• You give yourself permission to be proud of your accomplishments.
• You give yourself permission to be frustrated or doubt yourself from time-to-time.
• You don’t get addicted to either narcissism nor self-pity.
• You are comfortable taking compliments from others on your achievements.
• You are comfortable taking criticism from others.
• You take an optimistic view of yourself while still be grounded in reality.
• You know how to reframe negative self-talk into positive self-talk.
• You know self-esteem doesn’t have to be selfish. By believing more in yourself, you also motivate and inspire others by setting an example.
• You engage in activities that you’re good at, but also aren’t afraid to challenge yourself.
• You take responsibility for actions in your life that you can change.
• You live so that you go to sleep feeling content with how you spent your day.

These are important principles and attitudes that often lead to healthier self-esteem.

However, you have to also keep in mind that “practice is more important than theory.” Reading advice in this post may give you an idea on the types of things you need to change (both in your thoughts and in your actions), but ultimately this advice won’t mean anything unless you take active steps to make a change.

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