Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence: Is There An Important Difference?

In today’s world, we have abnormal access to other people\\\’s lives through technology\\\’s continued aspiration to bring people closer. However, we often only see a polished image of their reality. This could be a serious blow to the way we perceive ourselves. It can easily affect one\\\’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Two terms that people often use interchangeably while they are subtly different. So what is the difference?

What Is Self-Confidence?

This phrase refers to one\\\’s belief in their skills, abilities, and sense of judgment. 

The origin of the word confidence is the Latin word fidere which could be translated into trust. Confident people are certain and assertive in their steps. They know what they want, and they trust themselves to reach it because they utterly believe they have what it takes. 

Being self-confident is necessary to be able to climb higher in the ladder of life, and be successful both personally and professionally. People tend to feel more secure and safe around confident people, and they are even inspired by their confidence. 

What Is Self-Esteem? 

Self-esteem refers to one\\\’s perception of themselves. If they perceive themselves as valuable individuals who are worthy and do not need to settle for the bare minimum from other people, they have high self-esteem. People who have low self-esteem tend to conceal their wants and needs because they genuinely believe they do not deserve them to be met. They try to minimize themselves so they are not a burden on other people and accept being treated poorly as they think they are not meant to be treated fairly as everyone else. 

The origin of the word esteem is the Latin word estimer, and it could be translated into value. People with high self-esteem value themselves, and do not need external validation from anything or anyone to make them love and respect themselves more. On the other hand, people with low self-esteem seek external validation from anyone and anything, and that often makes them tolerant of anything, no matter how disrespectful and hurtful it is.

Self-esteem is vital because it is a trait that people often prey on. Some people seek individuals with low self-esteem just so they can you with them however they wish. When in a professional setting, one will inevitably face ups and downs, and if they have low self-esteem, this can mess with their self-worth. Meanwhile, people with high self-esteem are not afraid of failure or rejection and embrace it as a natural aspect of life. They turn it into a lesson and strive for self-improvement. 

Are Self-Confidence And Self-Esteem Tied Together? 

The general answer to this question is: no, they are not necessarily tied together. 

Confident people can have issues with their self-esteem. After all, confidence can be built through practice. The more knowledge you have in a certain area, the more confident you are in it. It is an external process. 

However, self-esteem comes from an internal place of genuine love, care, and respect for oneself. Oftentimes, we are more critical, harsh, and violent toward ourselves, and this could heavily impact the way we see ourselves. 

How To Build Our Self-Confidence And Improve Our Self-Esteem

-Be more accepting of your mistakes, and use them as an opportunity to pinpoint your flaws and improve instead of taking them as clues that you\\\’re a failure. 

– Seek professional help, and try to unpack with a therapist why certain situations make you think less of yourself. It can be something that ties back to unresolved psychological issues. 

– Surround yourself with a healthy, loving, and supportive community. Having a support system that gets your back, and recognizes your potential is a blessing and can make all the difference. So make sure you have people that truly see you for who you are in your circle.

– Be patient with yourself, and do not force change, as it won\\\’t happen overnight. Just trying is already a step in the right direction.

Everyone has their insecurities, and what you see of manufactured perfection on social media is not a reflection of real life. Focus on yourself, journey, and improvement. You owe it to yourself to live happily, authentically, and as the best version of yourself! 

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