Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Getting What You Want Might Not Destroy Western Civilization

Boarding the Azamara Quest in Barcelona, about to start a week-long Riviera cruise, I felt joy and two types of anxiety. One was luxuryphobia. The other was mortal fear.Surely, I t…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

It's OK to Stop Thinking About Yourself

During a recent interview about my new book Unworthy: How to Stop Hating Yourself, the interviewer asked me to suggest a practical anti-self-loathing strategy."Engage in activities…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Luxury Therapy

Photo credit: Kristan Lawson

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

It's Really Not Your Fault

Situation 1: Hiking with friends, I relish the sea breeze but keep falling farther behind. Briskly they stride, disappearing from view, neither noticing nor apparently minding the …

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

The Secret Power in Feeling Helpless

One of the most crushing and crippling side effects of low self-esteem is the sense of helplessness with which it saddles us.Hopelessness too, of course. But before hopelessness co…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Are You Afraid to Accept Praise?

"How old are you?" she asked.I told her."What? No way," she chirped. "You look ten years younger than that."Okay, I thought. What's she trying to pull?Having low self-esteem makes …

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Are You a Good Listener for the Wrong Reasons?

"Thank you so much for letting me tell you all this," she said, reaching over and patting my sleeve. "I feel like I've been talking for hours, but this really helped me. You're too…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Yes, They Really Like You

Friendship is one of life's best blessings. Otherwise Bruno Mars, Dolly Parton, Lil Wayne and Ringo Starr wouldn't have all written songs extolling it. But low self-esteem can punc…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

What Would You Do Today If You Didn't Despise Yourself?

Those of us who struggle with low self-esteem tend to shun whatever activities might conceivably make us lose, drool or look ridiculous. This avoidance is not entirely conscious. W…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Can You Handle Criticism?

A total stranger about whose business establishment I had written an article emailed me the night after it was published, alleging that my article was "mostly erroneous."For a horr…

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Empathy: It's a Win-Win

At a family holiday dinner last week, it finally dawned on me that certain people I consider smart and beautiful consider themselves stupid and hideous.Granted, I spent most of my …

Worthy: A Self-Esteem Blog

Turn Everything Into a Self-Esteem Game-Changer

Low self-esteem is hard to lift. Unlike high self-esteem, which is primed to respond rapidly to even slight praise—You love my new haircut? Me too!—low self-esteem is notoriously s…