Out Loud

Self-Esteem: a person 's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as triumph, despair, pride and shame.

As a therapist (mental health), I frequently speak on this topic, specifically as it pertains to women. I tell them that there is no law or book that says we (women) have to be all sacrificing, perfect, never-ending caretakers. That believing in the unrealistic, money driven images we are constantly bombarded with will keep us feeling trapped, damaged, and unworthy. I go on to teach that often our "standards" are often based on an ideal that is not real and since perfection is impossible we will surely fail chasing it (often killing ourselves in the process). The trick is to eject the tape that repeats the unhealthy mantras that we were taught (I'm fat, I'm not good enough, I'm weak) and replace it with the truth (I'm more then good enough, I'm growing, I'm capable of meeting my goal).

Each time I speak it out loud I am strengthen. The challenge is to not silence my own voice.