The world is a large place with many different people at many different points in their lives. Unfortunately, many of the avenues in society have put forth this idea that you need to be “good enough” for something. That, combined with bullying, has created quite a bad precedent that makes people feel as if they aren’t good enough, or that they won’t get anywhere in life. As many grow older, they realize that this isn’t the case. However, It can easily just be a front that people put up. Sometimes people haven’t developed a sense of self-esteem, but have gotten quite good at faking it. Even the people who put on the best mask have a tale.
Subtle Signs of Low Self-Esteem
There are many signs of low self-esteem, and the list seems to grow every day. However, some of the signs are quite subtle. They don’t stand out as much as others. If you know someone who exhibits these, or who you suspect has self-esteem issues, look for some of the signs. Amongst the many signs, three of the signs that can be connected to low self-esteem are as follows.
1. They are way too focused on what others think
Those with low self-esteem are quite terrified of and dependent on what other people think about them. They begin to assume that the negative thoughts they are having about themselves are the way others think. They question their own value, and use others as portals for their insecurities. If someone you know has a tendency to say things like, “I just feel like I was annoying everyone tonight”, they probably have an issue with their self-esteem.
2. They have the tendency of picking
When people have low self-esteem, at times they show it in peculiar, obsessive ways. One troubling habit is the tendency of picking. What’s meant by that is that they despise blemishes. They pick at hairs and scabs like it’s nobody’s business. That way they have an excuse to focus on something other than their own insecurities.
3. They show hostility
You’d think that a person with low self-esteem wouldn’t fight back- that they would concur with anyone’s low opinion of them and therefore not resist any put-down. While this can be true, it can also cause the person to snap at others. They can become aggressively angry and super hostile unnecessarily in situations where it isn’t called for.
With all this being said, it should make it easier to identify those with self-esteem issues. Remember that they have issues with how other people think of them, so gentle encouragement is exactly what you’ll need to provide in order to help them. Be there for them and eventually they’ll come around to realizing that they have people who love and care about them!
Featured photo credit: Ed Gregory via stokpic.com
