Topic Tuesday // Self Esteem & Mental Health // Tues 13th Aug, 7pm-9pm AEST

Thankyou @Former-Member I just did the best I knew how to bring up our children.

What are some ways in which we can uphold our self-esteem and self-worth when environmental factors (i.e. flashbacks, challenging family members, relationship struggles) are emerging?

I don’t know if that is relevant, but my therapist tells me to try and do one joyful activity every day, even if it’s a nice cup of tea. It doesn’t help as much when I have a bad episode, but it can help me get better when I’m on the other side.

when I’m stronger I try to do activities that are in line with my values. I have my 5 core values and goals on the wall and try to do an activity for that value. For a long time I thought I was too unwell to do something in line with my values, but again, realising that it’s the tiny steps that count, make it possible.

one thing now @Former-Member , @BlueBay

is hat mum is very elderly and frial and having to try to do it myself which is hard xx

@Former-Member I agree with you totally about the useless idea of only 10 sessions. A lifetime of trauma, abuse, hatred, self doubt etc cannot be properly dealt with in that short space

Feel free to share some ways in which you have “cut yourself some slack” and minimised the negative self-talk that occurs during an experience of low self-esteem?

I don’t do well with that. I still need external support when I’m beating myself up 😞

Thanks everyone for sharing so much and being so incredible & insightful.

Time for the next question
Following on from the discussion so far..

When we feel low self worth, many of us logically know this is something that has been given to us by an external event. It can be tricky to remember we are all worthy of loving ourselves and being kind to ourselves. When negative self perception crops up, what are some practical things we can do to improve self-esteem? 💯

I know for me journaling my strengths can be super helpful, and spending time with people who value me as much as I do them. What are some things that work for you?

@Former-Member you are not alone with your feelings. I relate to your post 100%. The 10 sessions is absolute crap. I have ptsd among other diagnoses. I see a psychologist once a fortnight as well as GP and psychiatrist when I can. I am just getting by financially to support this having used up the 10 sessions within a month at the start of the year. I am now leaning on family and online for support during the times that being here is hard. Please stay.

Some of us never learnt to love ourselves. I still don't know how.

@Former-Memberthat is a hard question. My psych tells me I'm good at certain things but I seem to have an inability to see it in myself.

I don't know how to love myself or be kind to myself. I know I punish myself in many ways. Sometimes to is hard to find that self worth when we don't want to be here anymore.