• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE » How to Improve Your Self-Esteem While You’re Down and Out

in BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE

How to Improve Your Self-Esteem While You’re Down and Out

Last updated on May 12th, 2024 at 02:41 pm

"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength." Oprah Winfrey

At one point in my life, I spent the better part of a year fighting against my Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is excruciating. The pain, dizziness, and fatigue made walking down the stairs an event that required two hours of lying down to recover. I’d be panting and heaving, trying to catch my breath–while lying down! The meds were intense, and you definitely get much worse before you get better.

It was easy to feel sorry for myself and hopeless that my big dreams weren’t worth considering.

I was also in an unhappy marriage, which messed with my self-esteem. It had been an unhappy mess for a few years, but I took my marriage vows seriously. Ending it was the single hardest thing I’d ever done. My ex-husband was out of work, so I still needed to work even though I wanted to lie in bed 24/7.

The emotional support from my co-workers, our clients, and dear friends kept me going when I was in a state of collapse. People saved my sanity. They supported me in a way that allowed me to focus on rebuilding my body and broken heart. Whenever I wanted to give up, someone would remind me of my big dream. Or, a past client might send me a note about how my photographs changed their life. Or a client’s significant other would email me about the dramatic change in his beloved after working with me.

I clung to those messages, hoping to feel strong again one day.

How does my life compare now?

I’ve discovered peace and contentment. Before the divorce, I took care of a lot on my own–running our home, caring for our son, and my work. I was alone emotionally, so I learned that I could handle life independently with support from co-workers, family, and friends. The 24/7 parenting that I feared because of my disease was much easier without interference. Boundaries, discipline, bedtimes, and meals became less of a struggle. And very quickly, I got healthier. It’s an amazing testament to how much stress can mess with stabilizing an autoimmune disease.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t have moments where I don’t feel great. Working full-time while caring for an active toddler can be overwhelming. I have faith that I’m doing the right thing despite my imperfections. And I have bad days, but I also have really good days.

Here’s my advice to help you improve your self-esteem while under emotional and/or physical stress:

• Acknowledge your feelings: Feeling frustrated, sad, or angry about your situation is natural. Allow yourself to experience these emotions without judgment. Remember that it’s okay to have bad days and doesn’t diminish your worth as a person or as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, or friend.

• Stay connected: Reach out to friends, family, or who can support you. Isolation can worsen negative feelings, so maintaining social connections, even through virtual means, can provide comfort and understanding.

• Set realistic expectations: Be kind to yourself and recognize that your abilities may be limited during this time. Adjust your expectations accordingly and celebrate small victories, even if they seem insignificant.

• Focus on what you can do: Rather than dwelling on what you can’t do, concentrate on the activities you can still participate in, even if they are simple or modified versions of what you enjoyed before.

• Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion you would offer to a friend going through a tough time. Remember that you are doing the best you can under the circumstances.

• Engage in activities that bring you joy: Whether it’s reading, watching movies, listening to music, or pursuing hobbies that you can manage from bed, engaging in activities that bring happiness can help boost your mood and self-esteem.

• Celebrate your strengths: Reflect on your positive qualities and past achievements, regardless of how small they may seem. Reminding yourself of your strengths can help you maintain a sense of self-worth.

• Practice mindfulness and relaxation: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or guided imagery can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a positive mindset.

• Seek professional support: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor who can provide guidance and support during this challenging time. They can help you work through emotions and offer coping strategies. BetterHelp.com offers affordable online therapy counseling with licensed therapists, which you can connect with over your computer or phone.

• Educate yourself about autoimmune disease/depression: Understanding your condition better can empower you to make informed decisions about your health and treatment, and it may also alleviate some fears or uncertainties.

Remember, this too shall pass. It’s normal to have ups and downs in life while recovering. Be patient with yourself, and know that physical and emotional healing takes time. Focus on self-care and seek support when needed. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, and remember that you are more than your current circumstances.

You deserve to have your big dreams come true, too.

 

Related Stories:

  • wear-confidence-like-it’s-makeup-Iman Woods
    Shift Your Perception to Improve Self-Esteem and…
  • heather-I-run-beause
    Fitness Challenge: Getting Down and Dirty For Your Dream
  • 6 Challenges to Improve Your Top Photography Dream Skills
    6 Challenges to Improve Your Top Photography Dream Skills
  • Healthy Dream Heather before the weight loss
    Body Image: Will Your Body Image Improve After Weight Loss?
Iman Woods
Iman Woods

Iman Woods is an American artist who specializes in pin-up photography. Through a unique and therapeutic process, she’s spent over a decade in perfecting, Iman helps women undo the damage from a negative self-image and unrealistic beauty industry expectations. She helps women embrace their own style of beauty and see themselves in a new light. You can find her on her website, ImanWoods[dot]com.

Note: Articles by Iman may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« How My Big Dreams Took Me To Hollywood
Women: Take Chances in Life and Don’t Waste Your Dreams »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT