Challenging the Inner Voice
As mentioned, individuals with low self-esteem have a very critical inner voice. One of the best strategies to start rebuilding
your self-esteem is to challenge that inner voice.
For unfairly harsh statements, be reassuring & praise yourself. (Ex: It might not have been perfect, but I worked hard & did a great job!)
For unrealistic statements, be realistic & learn from it. (Ex: Yes, I got a D on this test but my other grades in this or other classes were good. Next time, I will study more.)
For illogical statements, be logical. (Ex: Just because one of my friends is being quiet tonight, doesn’t mean she doesn’t like me. Maybe she is just having a bad day or is tired.)
For catastrophe statements, be objective. (Ex: Even though our relationship ended and I’m grieving a huge loss, I’m a great person and we just weren’t the right fit together.)
How did this strategy work for you? Were you successful in challenging your inner voice? Are you struggling and need more tips?
Sylvie, Bilingual Health Educator
