1. Don’t engage in, or encourage negative image conversations.
No bad thoughts! No bad words! No bad conversations! Don’t encourage your friend to talk negatively about themselves or others, as soon as the seed is planted that they don’t look good enough, or can’t achieve something, or that this person is better than them, or that they’re failing at something, it won’t take long for the seed to grow into an overbearing and all-consuming tree of negativity. So don’t let it happen!
2. Tell them you love them and why.
The chances are that your friend with low self-esteem doesn’t love themselves very much, so you’ve got to make sure that they feel the love somehow! Tell them you love them and why, it means a lot to hear that you mean something to someone – so whether you love them because they make an amazing cup of tea or because they are the most loyal friend you’ve ever had, make sure they know that they’re worth something to you.
3. Actively share positive things with them.
If you find something that you think would cheer your friend up, then send it to them! A positive quote, photo, meme, letter or gift means a lot to someone who’s feeling crappy about themselves – it shows that you’re thinking of them and that someone cares about them, even when they can’t summon up the strength to care for themselves.
4. Encourage self-care.
On that note: encourage self-care. Try to help your friend take care of themselves – whether that comes in the form of a bubble bath and pamper night, dinner and a movie, going for a walk, getting their hair done, hitting the gym, getting involved with something that they love – find out what makes them feel happy and content and then help them achieve that!
source: How Can You Help Someone With Low Self-Esteem
Photo credit: .jo.hardell. / Visualhunt / CC BY
