Building Self-esteem: Uplifting Others
Hey everyone! It is time for a new post in our Building Self-esteem series. Can you believe it is already week 6? Continuing our exploration of self-esteem, let's dive into a secret weapon often overlooked: uplifting others.
Why the positive feedback loop?
Think about it: when you make someone's day with a genuine compliment, a helping hand, or simply a listening ear, it creates a ripple effect. You witness the impact of your actions, reaffirming your own value and capabilities. It's like looking in a mirror reflecting kindness back at you.
But how do I start "uplifting" in real life?
The beauty lies in everyday moments:
- Compliment a classmate on their unique style or insightful comment. A little validation goes a long way! It needs to be genuine though!
- Volunteer your time for a cause you care about. Witnessing the positive change you contribute to strengthens your sense of purpose.
- Offer genuine support to a friend facing a challenge. Being there for someone reinforces your inner strength and empathy. It helps you find purpose
- Pay attention to small gestures. Holding the door open, offering a helping hand with groceries, or simply leaving a positive note – these micro-actions pack a punch.
- Remember, it's all about aligning your actions with your core values. What truly matters to you? Helping animals? Advocating for social justice? Protecting the environment? Find opportunities to uplift others in ways that connect to your passions. This authenticity further amplifies the self-esteem boost.
Building self-esteem on 7 Cups
7 Cups is also a great platform to help uplift others. Some ways you can do this on 7 Cups is:
- Taking the time to listen to someone’s story in a group setting
- Going to the needs reply queue and answering posts that resonate with you.
- Providing active listening support to a member as a listener
- Creating a forum post on a cause that matters to you and engaging with the people who comment.
- Taking on a leadership role that aligns with your passion and values.
Volunteering: The ultimate confidence superpower?
Studies show that volunteering significantly increases self-esteem and life satisfaction. Immersing yourself in a cause bigger than yourself cultivates a sense of purpose, belonging, and mastery. Plus, the skills you gain and the connections you make can open doors to future opportunities.
Bonus Tip!
If you are unsure what activity/services suit you best, then the core values exercise we did in the past can be of help. Look through the values you deem as most important and try and find activities that help you practice that value. If you can’t, then move to the important values.
Task of the week
For the next 7 days (preferably more) every day when you wake up, start your day with the intention that you will intend to do at least one good today. Look for that opportunity throughout the day. It can look like:
- Baking cookies for your family
- Donating to a charity of choice
- Giving a ride home to your friend/co-worker
- Helping someone with their groceries.
I am confident that most of us already do good on 7 Cups so that is why you are encouraged to find opportunities offline for this specific activity.
Do your act of kindness/service for today and share with us how it made you feel. (You can choose to keep the act hidden or share it).
Please note this is a required activity if you are working towards the braving self badge. You will be asked what activity you did for 7 days that was focused outwards.
Attention! Next week our post will focus on learning from others' experiences. If you wish to share your own experience and tips on how to build self-esteem in terms of what worked for you, please reach out to me asap so you can be featured in the post.
I really like this challenge. Thank you!
Not much, but my friend has exams and asked for some tips and I guided her on which material to prioritize, what to learn, what to just read, how to manage the time to do it in one day etc etc
It’s actually common for me to help in these type of matters. Study helping is routine helping =D but i’ve been racking my brains on what else I cld do, and everyone I know prefers independance and not hving stuff done for them xD. So this is what I’ll mention 🤷🏻♀️ it feels good to be of some use, anyways
@unassumingEyes me again! Today i made a table of sm study stuffs frm 3 different books of the same subject for my until-recently classmates and sent it in the class group for that subject. Basically the table was so that they dont hv to hv trouble learning that topic from 3 different books- i compiled it. Made me feel really good, and it took at most 5-10 mins to do. Plus, typing it all out helped me learn it too.
@Hope
My act of kindness was to be very affirming to a friend who was struggling yesterday. I reminded them that they had come so far and they are doing great things. They were grateful for the words of affirmation and my support for them. It made me feel happy that I could pass on this encouragement to a good friend.
@Hope
☆ Yesterday, I decided and started taking care and looking out for the new baby chicks 🐥🐣 we have.
☆ Today, I bought a cake for my parent's wedding anniversary. I also helped my younger sister in her assignment she has trouble understanding and at the same time helped manage her mood as she was annoyed by it.
@Ubebe Happy anniversary to your parents! ♡ Awww.
@YourCaringConfidant
Thank you! It's silver anniversary(25yrs) 🤍❤ My parents are really happy today😊
@Ubebe I bet! How blessed you are to have both of your folks and still in ♡ at that. That is marriage goals. 25 years, awww. So beautiful! Just comes to show love is about the choices we make and choosing to stay and forgive through thick and thin. Happy 25 years to your parents. May they continue in a lifetime of love.
@YourCaringConfidant
Thanks! Yes, I am blessed. Marriage isn't a smooth sail, but throughout the years I've witnessed, they've come to stay strong and appreciate each other more.
@Ubebe
@hope
☆On wednesday, I talked with my friends and affirmed each other that our problems will be solved soon
☆Yesterday, I assisted in handing mason tools
☆ Today, I cared for my brother who got bruises from an accident
@Ubebe
☆yesterday(sat), while passing by the plaza I blocked a missed ball of some highschoolers playing volleyball before it could reached the road, I received a shoutout thank you from them.
☆today, I also received a thank you from my neighbors also my cousins for treating them dinner
@Ubebe
*also yesterday, I complimented my friend for looking cute and pretty in the selfie she sent, and she appreciated it🥰 She really looked pretty and cute I almost squealed!
@Ubebe
mon-tue, I hardly made something nice lol
today(wednesday), I helped someone make a text message to his wife using my phone that he will be traveling back home now. He doesn't have a phone and it's a long hrs journey so I'm glad I could make someone know where their love ones are and that they'll be coming home soon too. I feel happy about it. He was about to pay me for the message but I declined, it's a small gesture and that's the least I could do.
Day 1 Helped my sister move some stuff at her home to get ready for a yard sale.
Day 2 Helped my mother go through and move some stuff at my great aunt's house who passed away on the 17th.
Day 3 Talked with a friend who has both parents in the hospital. Encouraged her.
Day 4 Attended my great aunt's funeral. Visited with family and friends.
Day 5 Had dinner with some friends. One of them was having surgery this week. We all treated him to dinner.
Day 6 Helped my mother move and go through some stuff of hers.
Day 7 Listened on 7cups.
@Hope I helped someone with their research for a business idea today. I answered questions honestly and we had a great conversation. I think they are going to create something really cool. I was very happy to help out. It made me feel compassionate and connected to her. I enjoy helping people expand their ideas, so this was also very fun for me.
@Hope
I helped someone who just had a foot injury. I broke my foot last year which required a long recovery and went through many different challenges. I lent her the crutches and walking boot and gave her some tips as well as made myself available if she had any issues.
I know it made me feel good to feel other people's support in such a struggling time, to feel that others care for me and now she's expressing her gratitude towards me and it makes me feel I'm doing the right thing.
@Hope My act of kindness today was helping my mother with some chores because she's unwell. To be honest, my brain somehow just sees helping with chores as an insignificant act of kindness so it's not really making me feel good or anything, but I'm glad I was of some help. Normally though, helping someone or doing something for someone makes me feel better, makes me feel like I have some purpose and maybe I'm not the worthless person I tend to think I am.
@Hope
I have done the following good deeds to help other people:
Helped a collegue learn a new skill
Comforted someone who was upset.
Cheered someone up who looked down.
Thanked someone for their help
Helped a fantastic member with DIY around the house
Protected a colleague from being put in a vulnerable position.
Got a meal for mum