Introduction

The question of self-esteem is increasingly present in our modern world. Indeed, our society is under the grip of the primacy of appearance, worships competition and performance, enjoins us to become ourselves and values individualism.

All this drives us to seek and conform to an ideal of perfection and to strive for excellence. As a result, we seek recognition, especially from those who are important to us, since we are by nature social beings.

This is why, when we are subjected to disapproval, rejection or exclusion, we suffer and our self-esteem suffers.

Our Western society questions and challenges who we are. It generates fragile, narcissistic individuals and their share of mental disorders such as stress, anxiety disorders, depression, failure neuroses, narcissistic personality disorders, …

What Is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the value and respect you place on yourself. It reflects how much you believe in your abilities, your worth, and your right to happiness. A healthy level of self-esteem provides confidence to face challenges, build relationships, and pursue goals. Conversely, low self-esteem can lead to self-doubt, fear of failure, and difficulty recognizing personal strengths.

Self-Esteem VS. Sef-Image

Both are heavily intertwined. While self-esteem and self-image are often linked, they are not the same. Self-image is how you see yourself, which may be influenced by appearance, achievements, or social roles. Self-esteem, however, goes deeper—it is the judgment you make about your overall worth. For example, someone may have a positive self-image but still struggle with low self-esteem if they don’t truly value themselves.