What is self-esteem? Where does your self-esteem come from?

Question

What brings you self-esteem, and what takes it away? What specific situations, what specific thoughts?

Self-esteem seems to be one of our core emotions. Self-esteem comes from doing something we deem to have positive value.

For example:

Jill experiences a sense of pride with her artwork.

Steve is filled with joy after cracking a witty remark at a party.

I'd argue that our self-esteem comes from our reasoning or common sense, and how these perceived facts about ourselves and others come to shape our self-esteem. While some of these seem to be entirely internal, as with Jill, some appear to be reflected from others intentions and perceptions.

The complex factors making up self-esteem include biological make-up, sociological influences, personal experience and history, and the concepts you have formed. Giving rise and shaping our perceptions and experience of self-esteem.

All thoughts welcome. Cheers.

Answer 1

The quality of being worthy of esteem or respect.

It comes from what you've learned socially at a young age.