Lived Experience Forum

[BlueBay]

Me too @Adge  I’m not a swimmer at all. I love the water but can’t swim. 

[nashy]

Alright all @BlueBay  @Adge @Snowie @HappySmiley @Queenie 

Moving onto Question 2 😄

Many of us are incredibly resilient people who have overcome very complex trauma’s in our lives. We are not born already able to accurately assess the world and ourselves. Self-reflection is something a child starts developing as they become self-aware and develop a stronger sense of self. 💕

In order for a child to develop a healthy and accurate self-esteem, they need mirroring, attunement, and validation from the caregiver. For those of us who have to develop these skills ourselves, it can be challenging at times to keep our self esteem tank on “full”.

What are some ways in which we can uphold our self-esteem and self-worth when environmental factors (i.e. flashbacks, challenging family members, relationship struggles) are emerging? 

[Snowie]

I wish I knew @nashy 

[Adge]

Wow, that's a tough question @nashy I'm thinking....

I cannot say that I'm very successful at it.

Adge

[Maggie]

I read and articulate on self esteem and the hippocampus. I was trying to find out if I could trust my intuition today, if it was still operating from childhood trauma. It’s something I’m still looking into, but wonder if it has any relevance to the topic tonight.

[Adge]

I usually need to connect with someone.

That's very difficult, when there are no people (face-to-face) regularly available to connect with.

Adge

[BlueBay]

@nashy  I don’t know 

it makes me very angry when I wasn’t nurtured and loved or shown anything 

i had no self esteem from my childhood and I still don’t 

[Shaz51]

Hello  @nashy 

I was emotionally and mentally abused when young by my father  and even though mum and I left , my father kept rejecting me until he passed away and this has and still does affect my self esteem 

[nashy]

It is a hard one. Obviously transforming our self concept is imperative  @Snowie @Adge  This takes time and is no easy feat alongside mental health challenges  - but is absolutely doable. I find for me when there's external stuff chipping away at my being, reminding myself it's their (the other person's) stuff. Bringing myself back to my inner world, safe within me. Self affirmations can help too for some..

i.e.

“My courage is stronger than my fear”

“I am in control”

“I trust my ability to make the right decisions for me”

[cutiepiekitty]

Just lurking at the moment. Always doubting myself and don't trust my own thoughts and intentions so can't trust others