This is the third or a 14-part series that aims talk about the negative effects of low self-esteem.
In this article, we will try to provide some facts about two destructive effects of low self-esteem. These are pessimism and fear and anxiety.
Pessimism is a state of mind in which a person never sees any good in anything. It is a form of negative thinking that makes a person expecting the worst to happen in any circumstances.
When you indulge yourself in pessimism, you are already a loser before the fight even started because you are conditioning your mind to expect the worst in life. This makes you lose the energy to do something about it because it also makes you feel powerless.
Pessimism is a by-product of low self-esteem. It makes fear and anxiety dominate your life because you are always expecting the worst to happen.
Here are a few ways to avoid pessimism:
1. Face your fears.
Fears emanate from the mind, and some of them are not even real. But they can make you feel and think negatively if you allow these thoughts to influence your actions.
One of the best ways to eliminate pessimism is to face your fears literally. This means that if you are afraid of being alone, go ahead and isolate yourself. If you are afraid of being broke, go broke, and if you are afraid to ask for help, ask for help.
Experiencing what you are afraid of can help to make you realize that things are not as bad as you think they are. It also makes you see that you have the power to withstand and turn your fear into courage.
2. Help someone.
Doing acts of kindness every now and then can help to boost your sense of self-worth. It helps to make you see that you have what others need. Your help and the sincere appreciation and gratitude of the people who received your act of kindness can do a lot to blast your pessimistic mindset away.
3. Be on the lookout for opportunities.
Sometimes, our pessimism becomes a perpetual block that prevents us from seeing windows that open for us when doors are closed. If something went wrong, you should forgive yourself, learn from it and move on with your life. You can't live the present by dwelling in the past that has long gone. Opportunities are always there for people who are on the lookout for them.
I firmly believe what the great Winston Churchill once said about optimism: "The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity."
Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety is another negative effect of low self-esteem. This makes a person lacking in confidence.
Fear and anxiety are not actually the same. With fear, you can identify the source of your emotion but with anxiety, its cause is unknown or unidentifiable.
Most people with low self-esteem suffer fear and anxiety because they anticipate failure, rejection, disapproval or criticism.
Here are four ways that can help you overcome fear and anxiety:
1. Identify the causes of your fear and anxiety. This will help you to find ways to overcome them. Remember that they come from your mind and some of them are not real.
2. Breathe deeply and try to relax and be calm when you are in this condition. You need to learn some relaxation techniques to help you on this.
3. Don't force yourself to conquer your feelings. Control your imagination but acknowledge your anxiety. Breathe deeply to relax yourself.
4. Act normally. Tell your mind that its response is not necessary.