A woman with high self-esteem shows confidence through clear communication, self-acceptance, and independence, setting healthy boundaries, taking responsibility for her life, and maintaining realistic expectations without being overly self-critical or needing constant external validation for her worth. She's resilient, stands up for herself, and finds happiness within, rather than depending on others.
8 Habits of a Confident Woman
Signs of healthy self-esteem:
Some common signs or symptoms of low self-esteem include:
They see the world in realistic terms, accepting other people the way they are, while pushing themselves to change in a more positive and confident direction. They can easily concentrate on solving problems in their lives. Their relationships are loving and respectful.
What are the 5 C's of self-esteem? Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. Sometimes, our self-esteem shifts from moment to moment, and day-to-day. At times, our sense of self-worth is high — we may feel like nothing can bring us down.
8 Traits and Habits to Build Healthy Self-Esteem
But severe people-pleasing, or the tendency to go out of one's way to make others happy, often at one's own expense, is a classic sign of low self-esteem. Because people with low self-esteem think so little of themselves, they may struggle to say "no," fearing rejection or disapproval.
Creating Confidence with the “3 Cs”
To counter the hopeless and helpless feelings of low self-esteem, Kennedy-Moore offers three keys—the 3 C's—that address children's basic needs for connection, competence, and choice.
But when self-esteem is low, insecurity often drives behavior. This can show up as jealousy, withdrawal, or even constant reassurance-seeking, all of which place pressure on the partnership. In short, self-esteem acts like a foundation: if it's strong, the relationship has space to thrive.
People (and even kids) with strong self-esteem tend to have a more positive outlook on life, handle stress better, and enjoy healthier relationships. They are also less likely to struggle with anxiety or depression and more likely to take on new challenges with confidence. High self-esteem also impacts decision-making.
It is easy to identify people who are confident. Confident people stand tall, heads held high, looking you straight in the eye when they talk. People who are not comfortable with who they are shy away from crowds, hang their head as they walk, and never look at you when they speak.
Stand tall—with shoulders back and chin lifted. Good posture makes you look more self-assured and even triggers confidence internally. Avoid crossing your arms or hunching. Keep hands relaxed and visible, and maintain natural eye contact to build trust.
Own Your Voice
Speak with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Avoid minimising language like "just," "sorry," or "I think" when you don't need to. Instead of saying, "I just wanted to check if this works," say, "Let's move forward with this approach." When you own your voice, you project confidence and credibility.
The six pillars of self-esteem are:
Low Self Esteem. High Self Esteem. Worthiness-based Self Esteem. Competence-based Self Esteem.
10 Things People with High Self-Esteem Do
Stress and difficult life events, such as serious illness or a bereavement, can have a negative effect on self-esteem. Personality can also play a part. Some people are just more prone to negative thinking, while others set impossibly high standards for themselves.
Inflated, unstable, or tentative beliefs in the self's superi- ority may be most prone to encountering threats and hence to causing violence. The mediating process may involve directing anger outward as a way of avoiding a downward revision of the self- concept.
Signs of low self-esteem include if you:
How can I improve my self-esteem?
The seven pillars of self-esteem are not abstract ideals but lived practices. They invite us to return, again and again, to awareness, acceptance, responsibility, assertiveness, purpose, integrity, and courage.
In particular, and consistent with Hypothesis 1, African Americans are most likely to score at the top of the self-esteem scale whereas Asian Americans are least likely to do so (with 8th-grade males as the sole exception).