We're living in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme. Things we took for granted - like our work environment - have changed quickly, moving towards a new normal. With the pandemic, we've had a shaky two years behind us, having to adapt quickly to vast changes in our daily lives. When our external environment is constantly changing and under threat, we can learn to keep our focus on things we can control, such as our internal environment, to keep trucking on.
What makes up our internal environment? This encompasses our motivations, what drives us and how we respond to challenges. Poor mental health can negatively affect our internal state and affect productivity, happiness, and a sense of hope.
One critical part of our internal state is the strength of our self-esteem. While the phrase ‘self-esteem’ might conjure up images of cheesy people doing yoga, or something your Year 2 teacher talked about while handing out gold stars, it actually does remain a critical pillar of mental health - the ultimate driving force that determines how we experience life. In a nutshell, self-esteem is how we perceive and value ourselves.