20 Affirmations to Help Build Your Self-Esteem

Affirmations are a simple way to increase your self-esteem.

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. Ideally, we feel good about ourselves most of the time and recognize that we have value despite our imperfections.

People with high self-esteem recognize their strengths and good qualities—and also their weaknesses or areas in need of improvement. They generally feel confident, capable, and worthwhile, but know they aren’t perfect.

However, many people have low self-esteem– they question their worth, hold themselves to impossibly high standards, are critical of themselves, or judge their worth by their achievements.

If you struggle with self-esteem, affirmations can help you maintain a positive mindset and remember that you’re a worthwhile individual no matter your shortcomings or what others have said about you!

The affirmations below reflect the themes that I write about on this website:

• Building self-esteem and a strong sense of who you are

• Reducing codependency

• Increasing self-acceptance

• Treating yourself with loving kindness

• Forming healthy relationships

• Self-Care

These affirmations are meant to be quick reminders of where you want to focus your time, energy, and thoughts.

Our thoughts influence our feelings and actions, so when you find yourself struggling or getting off track, you may find it helpful to read these affirmations and refocus on your goals and your reasons for wanting to make positive changes.

20 Affirmations for Better Self-Esteem

• I can do hard things. I can overcome obstacles, figure things out, and persevere.

• My life isn’t perfect, but there is always something to be grateful for. Noticing what I have and what’s going right in my life helps me feel hopeful and motivated.

• My feelings and needs are valid. I don’t have to justify them.

• Speaking up is a form of self-respect.

• I deserve the same love and compassion that I give to others.

• I am setting boundaries for my own wellbeing, not to control or punish others.

• Baby steps add up to big changes.

• I don’t expect perfection from myself or anyone else. I accept that we all make mistakes.

• I am not responsible for how other people feel or act.

• It’s not selfish to take care of myself.

• Stepping out of my comfort zone is an opportunity for growth.

• Resting when I’m tired is not laziness; it’s restoration.

• Play and fun are not a waste of time. Having fun can nourish my spirit, body, mind, and relationships.

• Ending or limiting relationships with toxic people is an act of self-care. I will do so thoughtfully and without guilt.

• I am empowered to make my own choices and do what’s right for me, even if others don’t agree or support me.

• Criticizing or punishing myself won’t help me to be a better person. What I really need is more self-compassion.

• I will not focus on trying to control, fix, or change others. I accept that I can only control myself.

• I am inherently worthy of love and respect. My worth isn’t based on other people’s opinions, how much I accomplish, how much I weigh, or any other criteria suggested by popular culture.

• I can’t control everything that happens to me, but I can control my responses.

• I trust myself. I trust my intuition, my judgment, and my ability to care for myself.

Start using affirmations today!

Which affirmations resonate with you?

What other affirmations will you use to build your self-esteem and feel more confident?

Feel free to share your ideas in the comments.

If you’d like to print a copy of these affirmations, you can purchase a PDF below for a nominal fee (this helps cover the cost of operating this website and creating free content).

Purchase a PDF

©2019 Sharon Martin, LCSW. All rights reserved.
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Dr. Sharon Martin

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW is a psychotherapist and writer specializing in codependency recovery. For the past 25 years, she’s been helping perfectionists and people-pleasers overcome self-doubt and shame, embrace their imperfections, and learn to set boundaries. Dr. Martin writes the popular blog Conquering Codependency for Psychology Today and is the author of The CBT Workbook for Perfectionism and The Better Boundaries Workbook.