Comments on
A Mindful Way to Boost Self-Esteem

By Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D.

There are a multitude of reasons we might suffer from low self-esteem or low self worth. Some of us might have grown up with challenges …
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9 Comments to
“A Mindful Way to Boost Self-Esteem”

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paul L 8:59 pm on April 29th, 2009

Thanks for that. I am not sure, but I think an answer to my request, at least in part. It gave me something to chew on.

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. 8:05 am on April 30th, 2009

Yes Paul,
It was your comment that brought on this blog. I’ll continue to weave in blogs that involve self, esteem ,self worth, and self acceptance. Thank you for staying engaged.

Marie 8:59 am on April 30th, 2009

If you are thinking of doing follow on posts, I am curious what the practical nuts and bolts of being mindful of poor self esteem might look like.

I have been trying to catch and observe my negative thoughts for years and it feels as though I have only made marginal success.

An organization called AComplaintFreeWorld.org has handed out rubberband bracelets. People who want to be more mindful of how much they negatively complain are told to move the bracelet from one wrist to the other when they catch themselves unconstructively complaining. I am wondering if such a technique my help me be more aware of my negative thoughts.

Elisha Goldstein, PhD 12:16 pm on April 30th, 2009

thank you Marie,

I will write a follow-up with more practical suggestions. Using the bracelet might be a way to stamp into awareness that negative thoughts are coming, but it seems to me that at that point you’ve already noticed them. It may become helpful to write these thoughts down on paper and then really ask yourself, does this thought fit with the facts of the situation? If I were in a better mood, would i think about this differently. This gets to the crux of understanding that thoughts are not facts.

Ellen 4:41 pm on April 30th, 2009

I’m finding these posts on mindfulness very helpful, thank you. I’m trying to alleviate depression with meditation, mindfulness and other non-pharmaceutical methods, as the drug side-effects were quite bad for me.

It’s almost counter-intuitive to accept our depression and bad feelings. They’re what I want to overcome, after all. But the metaphor of shooting arrows of badness at bad feelings is right on I think. It cannot work, even though that’s what we do all the time. Accepting the ‘badness’, at least for a little bit of time, and not beating ourselves up, is a better path because it allows those feelings to soften a bit. I’m really finding this to be true, when I can remember to do it.

BROOKE 1:51 pm on May 6th, 2009

I am thankful for this website and the previous posts. I have been struggling for about 2 years now with destructive thought patters, and a very critical and judgmental self image. I have been told time and time again to be positive, and just accept the thoughts and feelings. I find it very difficult, and I feel alone, and defeated. The only days in which I feel better are when I remember and am able to appy a mindfulness attitude. Any other suggestions or tools?

Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D. 5:01 pm on May 6th, 2009

Hi Brooke,
Really thank yourself for engaging these challenges. There many tools to integrate into daily life. You may want to try here: http://drsgoldstein.com/meditation.aspx and see if there is anything you find. If not, click on “therapy tips” on the same site.

Ken 6:22 pm on May 17th, 2009

I just came across your blog and enjoyed reading your posts. Staying on track seems to be the most difficult.

Ann 9:46 pm on January 28th, 2011

Thank you for such a well written insightful article on self-acceptance.I have been reading extensively over the past year approximately many many articles on the same topic; your article in my opinion is by far the most helpful, so thank you for your time and being so generous to share this.