February is International Boost Self Esteem Month

February is the month most people associate with Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras, but there are other less celebrated events and ideas. For example, Boost Your-Self Esteem Month is also celebrated in February. Boost Your Self-Esteem Month is a period for individuals to focus on improving their self-esteem and self-confidence. It encourages people to develop a positive self-image and embrace their worth and abilities. It also provides opportunities for self-reflection, personal growth, and building a healthier sense of self. 

Improving self-esteem is something that works differently for all types of people. We are all on different paths, and something that might work for someone may not work for someone else. I was curious how people around me boost their self-esteem, so I asked students around campus and other friends of mine. Some answers dealt with physical appearance—wearing an outfit you feel confident in, dressing nicely, doing you makeup, taking pictures of yourself, and working out. Other answers related to self-care—making time for yourself, eating healthy, staying in a routine, and reminding yourself that grades don’t define who you are. The other answers cannot be categorized but they include making people laugh, a good pep talk, going on a date, talking to a crush, and spending time with the Lord. This shows that there are many ways to boost self-esteem. Taking inspiration from my peers’ answers, these are my tips on how to boost your self-esteem this month!

• Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. 

• Celebrate your success, no matter how small! Whether that be getting ice cream after doing well on a test or watching TV because you finished writing a paper. 

• Prioritize self-care: getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and engaging in activities that you enjoy. 

• Surround yourself with positive and supportive people that make you feel better about yourself. 

• Break down your larger goals into smaller more achievable steps, and celebrate your progress!

• Take time to reflect on things you’re grateful for in your life. 

• Consider seeking support from a counselor or therapist if you feel it would benefit you. 

It is important to remember that building self-esteem takes time and effort. Self-esteem is not something that appears overnight, you have to dedicate time to building it and be patient with yourself as you begin to work towards treating yourself better. Overall, building self-esteem is something everyone can work towards, and not just in the month of February, but it is always a good time to start. Everyone’s version of self-care and building a more positive outlook on life will look different. In the long run, it’s the things that work for you and your lifestyle that matter the most.