How can I get over/rid of low self esteem or shyness?

Hello!Here are a few tips that worked for me in helping raise my self esteem during my battle with depression. One thing I decided I would do was for on each day pick out a minimum of two things that I liked about myself, now this doesn't have to be the common response of "I like my smile" but if that is what you wish to choose then go ahead, but as each day goes by you may find it harder to pick out two things however this is when the creativity comes in and you might pick out traits like "I really like my music taste or how I am kind towards others" or it could be "I suit the colour red" ect (the list goes on and on) however from what I learnt by doing this is that there are many wonderful things about myself, therefore if this works for you it will show you just what an incredible, precious human being you are and in life you won't please everyone and not everyone will like you, but the ones in life that do cherish you and love you for who you are are the ones that deserve a special place in your journey through life. You are a beautiful human being and only deserve happiness. Stay strong, keep fighting, you are amazing the way you are and you don't need to change for anyone and the only people that deserve to be a part of your life are the ones that accept you and love you eternally for who you are. Xx

Award-winning psychotherapist Gwen Randall-Young covered this in her article Raising Self Esteem. Please pardon the article cutting off mid-sentence at the end, I've contacted the webmaster to correct the error.

Your self esteem does not require the good opinion of others. You do not need anyone's permission, nor are you doing anything wrong by choosing to think and feel better about yourself. Your self-love is between nobody but you and yourself.

If you'd like to discuss this further, my inbox is always open at blahtherapy.com/members/blackholehead