Have high self-esteem

Self-esteem — the overall evaluation of one's own worth — is a foundational element of psychological wellbeing. Rosenberg's pioneering self-esteem research established that individuals with healthy self-esteem experience less anxiety, greater resilience, and more satisfying relationships. However, Baumeister's critical review of the self-esteem literature cautioned that inflated or fragile self-esteem can be counterproductive, leading to narcissism, defensive aggression, and avoidance of honest self-assessment. The most beneficial form of self-esteem is what Kernis termed "secure self-esteem" — stable, non-contingent, and grounded in realistic self-knowledge rather than external validation. Research shows that authentic self-esteem is best cultivated not through self-affirmation alone but through genuine competence, meaningful relationships, and values-consistent behavior.

• 1
  Your internal dialogue is dominated by self-criticism, self-doubt, and harsh judgment of your own worth
• 2
  You base your self-worth almost entirely on external achievements, appearance, or others' approval
• 3
  You avoid new experiences or relationships because you believe you are not good enough
• 4
  You tolerate mistreatment from others because you do not believe you deserve better

Consider these questions to understand where you stand: