The Link Between Identity And Self-Esteem

by Liz Seyi Digital marketing manager

Do you truly know who you are? Or is your identity a fuzzy one, formed largely by the opinions and influences of other people, rather than your own clear likes and dislikes?

Of course when I talk about ‘identity’ I’m not just referring to your name; I’m talking about your awareness of those characteristics that really make you, you. It’s not only about who you literally are, but also about how you perceive yourself.

Self-esteem and identityare closely linked.Peoplehave higher self-esteem and regard themselves more positively when they have a strong sense of their own unique identity but, if your sense of identity is largely based on others’ opinions of you, you may well be suffering from low self-esteem and the various problems in life that this can give rise to.

Why Are Self-Esteem And Identity So Important?

Our sense of our own identity, and with it a sense of self-esteem, starts to develop from the very earliest days of our lives. If, when you cried as a baby, you received a prompt and loving response from your caregivers that met your needs for warmth and comfort, and saw to it that you weren’t left feeling hungry, you will have begun to learn and believe that you were a valuable and worthwhile being.

Unfortunately some caregivers may, for a variety of different reasons, be unable to attune and respond appropriately; if that was the case for you, you may have begun to develop a sense that your feelings and needs were not important and that you yourself were of little significance. 

 

Self-esteem continues to develop throughout childhood and on into adulthood, informed by messages about our value received from relatives, peers, schoolteachers and other people encountered in our day-to-day lives but not everyone develops a strong identity or a healthy level of self-esteem through this process. Such people may be easily influenced by others, struggle to make decisions on their own or end up in difficult and unfulfilling relationships. They may also be more vulnerable to psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

 

There Are Steps That You Can Take To Strengthen Your Sense Of Yourself

 

If you feel that you are suffering from low self-esteem and the day-to-day problems that go with it, the good news is that you can take a first step to a healthier, stronger identity – and with it a greater sense of self-worth – by getting in touch with a Psychotherapist In Marylebone.

I,Tamar Posner,a qualified psychotherapist who alsopractises in Queens Park,can help you to take the necessary further steps - such as learning how to be happy alone, practising saying ‘no’ and making yourself aware of those areas of your life in which you may presently be a ‘people pleaser’ at the expense of your own happiness.

Remember that I am available for appointments between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, which you can book simply by calling 07710 01 99 33.

In the meantime, as I feelit is relevant to this topic, Ileave you with another one of my poems;I wrote it by imagining how I might identify myself if I were: a bird;a tree, plant or flower;a musical instrument;a means of transport;a colour and a time of day/night.

 

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Created on Jun 22nd 2018 04:58. Viewed 252 times.

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