Taking Charge of Your Confidence: A Guide for Teens
A Maryland therapist shares the secret to a healthy self-esteem
Hey there, high schoolers! Life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster, especially when it comes to figuring out who you are and what others think about you. But guess what? You've got the power to control how you see yourself, and that's the secret to building strong self-esteem. So, let's dive into how mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you take charge of your confidence.
You're in Control: Mindfulness and CBT can help
Ever feel like your self-esteem depends on what others say or how things go around you? Well, the truth is, you're the boss of how you see yourself. Therapists call it personal power, and it means you don't have to rely on external stuff to feel good about who you are.
Recognize your power (spoiler alert: your superpower may be your ADHD!)
Imagine this. A classmate learns that you have ADHD, a disorder that makes it difficult to regulate attention, and they call you “helpless.” They might say “it’s a made up problem” and that they “feel sorry for you because your life is going to be less successful.”
That can really get you down. You might think “yeah they are right I am helpless” or “I probably won’t reach my goals.” Or you could listen to them and think, “wow, they are really misinformed about ADHD and how it affects people. I may need a little extra help at times, but people with ADHD can be very successful. I am not helpless.”
That version of you knows that allowing someone else to choose how you think of yourself robs you of your power. So you don’t give it away.
Two ways to adjust your thoughts
Mindfulness: Chill and Reflect
Mindfulness is like a superhero power for your mind. It's all about staying in the moment without getting bogged down by judgments. When you practice mindfulness, you can step back and look at your thoughts and feelings without letting them take over. It's like having a mental pause button!
CBT: Flip the Script
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is like a toolbox full of cool tricks to change how you think. If you catch yourself thinking negative stuff about yourself, CBT helps you challenge those thoughts and turn them into positive ones. It's like being a superhero for your own mind.
Choosing Positivity
The big idea here is that you can choose how you feel about yourself. Even when things get tough or people have opinions, you're the one who gets to decide what matters. This way of thinking gives you power, resilience, and the ability to feel good about yourself whenever you want.
Therapists to the Rescue
Therapists are like guides on your superhero journey. They use mindfulness and CBT, along with other cool tools, to help you understand and control how you see yourself. They're there to make sure you've got all the skills you need to be the superhero of your own story.
So, high schoolers, remember: You're in control, mindfulness is your chill pill, CBT is your script-flipping tool, and therapists are your trusty sidekicks. With these superpowers, you can take charge of your confidence and feel awesome about being you!