Improve Your Self-Esteem with Mindfulness Meditation

By Mary Sovran

There are many reasons for low self-esteem. Most of them stem from a childhood of physical, or emotional abuse, or even abandonment. If you suffered from this type of childhood, low self-esteem is almost guaranteed because you didn’t get the validation and support you needed from adults while growing up. You have probably always felt that you were not quite as good as other people. Mindfulness meditation can help you overcome low self-esteem and realize your full potential.

Changing Your Opinion of Yourself

There are many things about yourself that you can change, such as losing weight, changing your wardrobe, hairstyle, or make-up, for an improvement in your appearance. All of these things can help you to better your opinion of yourself, but what really needs to change, is that deep down conviction that you’re not quite good enough.

Don’t Allow Others to Bring You Down

Do you look to others for appreciation and approval, thinking that this will help you feel better about yourself? To some degree the opinion of others does help, but when others disapprove, or criticize you, you are devastated and your self-esteem plummets. You must realize that true self-esteem comes from within. With mindfulness meditation you can learn to be delighted with who you are and make the most of your talents.

You Are a Unique Individual

You carry within you all the gifts of your ancestors. It is a great awakening when you understand how completely individual you are. There has never been and there will never be another person exactly like you. You were born with a certain set of genes that are original with you, even different from that of your siblings. As a child, your environment and relationships with family and friends all helped to shape you into who you are today.

You Can Make a Difference

With mindfulness meditation you can realize your talents and put them to good use. What a waste it would be to allow your gifts to go unused. Think about what a difference one single person can make in this world. How about Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, or Martin Luther King Jr.? The contributions they made were significant. Whether large or small, you can contribute also.

Be the Person You Want to Be

Just imagine for a minute that you are the person you want to be, and that you carry this great confidence in your abilities and talents. Imagine what you could do with your life. Can you see what a difference it would make in your career, your love life, and your relationships with others? You can do this. You can rid yourself of a lot of the self-doubt and bad feelings that you have about yourself with mindfulness meditation.

Give Yourself Credit for Your Successes

By meditating every day and bringing to mind what a good person you are, your feelings of self-worth will improve, and you will realize how much you have to contribute. This may spur you on to do more good works, which will in turn make you feel even more confident. You have many gifts to offer the world, and people can benefit from your talents and experiences. If you truly believe this, then you’re on your way to a fulfilling life.

Begin Feeling Better About Yourself

Making meditation a part of your daily routine will improve your life in so many ways. You will feel calmer and more sure of yourself. Even your blood pressure, and overall health will improve. Start out with 5 to 15 minutes a day, and later you can build the time up to 20 or 30 minutes.

You Can Realize Your True Value

Eventually, you will be able to reach a deep level of meditation, and concentrate on what a good person you are. Remember the times you have helped people—your kindness, honesty, and integrity. Also, think of the contributions you have made to society, either monetarily, volunteering, or just by doing someone a personal favor. Your feelings of self-worth will improve, and you will be able to forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made in the past. You can learn to love yourself.

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Mary Sovran is a co-founder of the Mindfulness Meditation Institute. She is also an administrator and a regular contributor to the website—giving her views on meditation from a woman’s perspective. She is the author of the article “Healing Childhood Emotional Abuse with Mindfulness Meditation.” Mary is also a cancer survivor.

Need help learning mindfulness meditation? Check out Mindfulness Meditation Made Simple: Your Guide to Finding True Inner peace (paperback).

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