by Janyla Duncan

Self-esteem is how we see and value ourselves. At times it can be difficult to improve, but never impossible. It is based on what individuals believe about themselves. Self-esteem can also be perceived as self-confidence.

Your self-esteem can affect things such as: How you or others see you as a person, recognizing what your strengths and weaknesses are, moving past embarrassing moments or mistakes without blaming yourself poorly, taking the time you need for yourself, believing you matter and that you are good enough and believe that you deserve to be happy.

The Collegian had the opportunity to interview a few people on the subject of self–esteem. When asked how self-esteem affects daily life, Polly Anton, professor of sophomore CLD classes, stated, “Self-esteem is an attribute that, as a female Greek American born into a patriarchal family, I have often had to revisit and work on throughout my life. Daily, I remind myself that my ideas and input are authentic and valuable. Sometimes we have to do that for ourselves. I would say self-esteem does not come naturally or easily to me. I have to work at it. Friends and family give me huge support and validation, often. This makes a huge difference—and I am fortunate. It has to come from within you, to truly work.”

“I think that for me, because my identities are so defined and usually separated, that self-esteem is separated by identity too. As a professor, I feel accomplished and I typically have a good response from my students, so I feel high self-worth when it comes to my career. As with most people, when I compare myself to those who are highly accomplished in my field, I feel like I could be producing more, but overall, I feel confident in my daily life. Also, as a woman in my 40s, my self-esteem is triggered by our society’s obsession with youth. Most days, I feel good. However, the constant talk of Botox, fillers, Invisalign, hair color, cool sculpting, mommy makeovers and such is overwhelming.”

The Collegian also asked Dr. Elena King, Professor of English, the same question about self-esteem and she stated, “I lived my high school years and early college days in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the ideal image was to be so skinny that it was dubbed ‘heroine chic’. Living through that era as a petite and not at all super skinny young woman has stayed with me longer than it should and probably still affects my self-esteem almost three decades later.”

When asked whether school or sports affect self-esteem, football player Jaylen Herrington remarked, “It does affect my self-esteem in a way, especially when you are trying your hardest,  but it does not seem to be enough.”

Not only can our own mind have an impact on our self-esteem but our environment, friends and our colleagues can add to that. It can also influence your image and comparison to others, whether that is negative or positive.

For me, self-esteem is my confidence and strength. It is the one that tells me that “you are strong; you can keep going.” I may still have negative thoughts occasionally, but I have improved so much and have leaned away from the negative thoughts. It is not always going to be this way because we are faced with challenges and ups and downs, but your self-esteem and how you treat yourself will decide the outcomes of situations. Remember to always treat yourself with kindness and love.