http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/counselling/self-esteem Self-esteem is a term often used to describe how we feel about who we are and the value that we place on ourselves. People develop self-esteem because we are able to have both a self-identity and also the ability to judge interpretations of ourselves. Self-esteem impacts on the ways in which we think and view ourselves, do we feel competent and confident? Having a realistic view of our abilities and strengths can strengthen our feelings of confidence. We also regularly measure ourselves against others, thus adjusting our value in relation to other people. Having a peer group that you feel comfortable with and which has realistic expectations of the individual goes a long way to enhancing our self-esteem. Self-esteem develops and changes because of our differing life experiences, the lessons we learn as we interact with others and the world in general. Feeling loved and accepted by our families can form a solid foundation for our self-esteem. While feeling as if you are not meeting other people's expectations, receiving no praise for your efforts and bullying, etc. can contribute to negative beliefs about yourself. As a result of negative or unpleasant experiences we may develop a strong inner critical voice which tends to express itself loudly when we are feeling distressed, overwhelmed or judged by others. The inner critic uses a range of words as weapons to make us believe that these negative thoughts are facts and that they are always true. However, there are ways to recognise and challenge this inner critic to allow us to take a more balance view of our self-worth. It is not unusual to have a negative reaction in a specific situation where, for example, you may only hold negative views about how you cope at work (e.g. "I'm hopeless at using the cash register"). However, when our negative self-opinions are always with us they start to be judged as a fact and that can impact on our lives and well-being. For example, saying "I'm not good enough" or "I always say stupid things" about yourself in all situations may indicate low self-esteem. It is important to remember that you are not alone in having these experiences as low self-esteem is a common experience for many people. These feelings can also be experienced as part of depression and anxiety symptoms when self-confidence and problem solving skills are affected. Despite these challenges, it is possible to make changes in your life that will enhance your self-esteem.