I watched a video about low self-esteem recently by psychiatrist Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski and it made me realize how my low self-esteem is for sure a real thing—even if there's no official diagnosis for it. And I've been more aware recently of how much I need external validation to fill the internal void inside … Continue reading Greater Self-Awareness in Stepping Back
Tag: self-esteem
A Few Words Provide Big Encouragement
In my book The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood, I have an essay entitled, "Adulthood: Where's the Confetti?" where I discuss my challenge with not receiving positive feedback and adulation like I did when I was a student. I continue to struggle with this, yearning for praise and positive feedback for what I do in … Continue reading A Few Words Provide Big Encouragement
Purim Messages of Personal Growth
Today is the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim is a festive holiday as well as a creative one. People dress up (I joke it is Jewish Halloween, but it’s really quite different), gather for a big meal, distribute goody bags to their neighbors, and of course the story of Purim is read from the Megillah … Continue reading Purim Messages of Personal Growth
Losing Yourself in a Relationship, Losing Yourself in Your Work
As I began my early morning dive into my remote side job, I reminded myself that when this is over I will still be me, and I will have to work toward a calmer, more relaxed inner state. This is a short-term project, one that I have committed a lot of energy, attention, and care … Continue reading Losing Yourself in a Relationship, Losing Yourself in Your Work
What We Tell Ourselves Matters
Yesterday was a religious fast day. Fasting is supposed to spur repentance but my focus was getting through it (i.e. successfully not eating or drinking despite the cravings, weakness, etc.). Since I’m nursing and it was a minor fast, I gave myself permission to break the fast midday. My rabbi said it was fine. My … Continue reading What We Tell Ourselves Matters
A Photoshopped World, A Tormented Soul
This morning my mom made an innocent comment that the way my daughter was wearing her hair made her look like Audrey Hepburn. I felt uncomfortable with this, because growing up and to this day I struggle with social comparison, including with celebrities. I still remember learning in my late teens that magazines are photoshopped. … Continue reading A Photoshopped World, A Tormented Soul
Less Self-Conscious About Being Self-Conscious
When I took my Pilates certification course, I was 20 years old. I was the second youngest of the 30 women there, but that had little to do with my anxiety when I got assessed. I was always a self-conscious person. Constantly second-guessing myself, an incessant voice in my head telling me what I was … Continue reading Less Self-Conscious About Being Self-Conscious
Self-Acceptance: Seeing Yourself in a Realistic Light
Continuing thoughts from last Friday's post, another reason why I'm not great with constructive criticism is that I always feel like I am getting graded. I was always concerned about my grades in school. I wasn't the best in all the subjects, but I had straight As in math/science/Jewish classes which upped my GPA from … Continue reading Self-Acceptance: Seeing Yourself in a Realistic Light
Lessons of Myopia
Often when I do yoga while the kiddoes are napping in the preschool room, I have the following thought: G-d gave me nearsighted vision to remind me NOT to care if others are watching. I can't tell: When I remove my glasses, everyone more than 5-10 feet away looks like a blur to me. The … Continue reading Lessons of Myopia
Who Are You—On the Inside?
Along with the thrill of moving into a larger home, are the negative thoughts it triggers. Feelings that I don't deserve to live in a large space, and then ironically, feelings of jealousy over other homes which are far bigger. My brain ping pongs between these two unsavory mental states. This past weekend I went … Continue reading Who Are You—On the Inside?
