Simone Margett
Everyone deals with low self-esteem from time to time, but it is more prevalent in people with PCOS. It makes it difficult to see ourselves in a positive light and studies have shown that those with PCOS are more likely to experience low self-esteem, psychological distress, and eating disorders.
PCOS can cause excessive facial and body hair, acne, hair loss, and weight gain. So it’s fairly common to fall into the trap of self-doubt and insecurity. If you’re suffering with low self-esteem due to PCOS, here are some methods you can implement to boost your confidence:
Consider what you love about yourself
We all have times when it’s difficult to love ourselves, and that’s ok. In times when your self-esteem is suffering, you may find it helpful to highlight qualities you like (or feel neutral towards) to boost your mood.
Go to your Notes app (or your journal) and jot down a few things about yourself that you love, like, or simply accept. Some ideas include: physical characteristics, talents (‘I am very creative and I like that about myself,’ for example), personality traits and quirks (‘I love that I make myself laugh’), achievements, kind gestures, and so on. If you’re not ready to use words like “love,” try replacing “accept” for a while.
Treat yourself with kindness
You deserve the same love and compassion you give others
You hype your friends up and be their biggest support, showing compassion and reassurance, so why not do that for yourself?
You deserve the same love and compassion you give others, so give it a shot. When a judgmental, self-deprecating thought arises, respond as if you were speaking to someone you care about – what words of reassurance would you offer them? If you can say those words aloud to yourself in front of a mirror, that’s wonderful! If that feels too awkward, try journaling or writing a note to yourself.
Surround yourself with loving and supportive people
PCOS is something that some family members don’t quite understand, especially if you are the only person in the family that has it. One of the best things you can do for your confidence and mental wellbeing is to surround yourself with loving, supportive, and compassionate people.
“Having a community of people who understand your situation will make you feel more at ease and heard.”
When dealing with PCOS, it can help to be surrounded by people who care about you. Your environment is a reflection of your inner life, after all. This syndrome presents challenges that can affect a person both mentally and physically; having a good support system can really help someone with PCOS during difficult times. When necessary, rely on family, friends, and loved ones. It may also be helpful to look into PCOS support groups. Having a community of people who understand your situation will make you feel more at ease and heard.
Avoid comparison
Some of us are at different stages in life and that includes PCOS journeys. Comparison only makes you feel bad about yourself and your situation. It’s an easy trap to fall into, especially when we’ve grown accustomed to seeing everyone else’s highlights reel on social media every day, and it can be detrimental to our mental health.
Reduce your contact with people and situations that have a negative impact on your self-esteem
Setting boundaries to protect your wellbeing is perfectly valid. In fact, you should put yourself first.
When you’re around other people, pay attention to your mood and internal dialogue – do you speak kindly to yourself, or do you talk down to yourself? Do you like yourself, or does your self-esteem suffer?
Reduce the amount of time you spend with people who have a negative impact on your self-esteem, and avoid situations that cause your confidence to crash (for example, gatherings that involve mixing with people who don’t share your values). It’s not always easy to set boundaries, especially with people you care about, but it’s worth it to look after your mental wellbeing.
Engage in activities that make you happy
Take a moment to consider what you tend to be doing when you’re at your happiest. Are you doing something creative or moving your body in some way? Learning, socialising, or simply relaxing? Whatever it is, try to schedule as many of your favourite activities as possible.
“The beauty of having a hobby is that it can calm your thoughts”
On the one hand, if your favourite activity also happens to be something you’re very talented at, that will give you a little confidence boost. However, keep in mind that you don’t have to be “good” at your hobbies. The beauty of having a hobby is that it can calm your thoughts, bring you back to the present moment, and help you focus on the task at hand.
Ask for help and set boundaries
“there is no shame in seeking help”
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, mindful activities and declarations of self-love aren’t enough to significantly boost self-esteem. We all have low points in our confidence from time to time, but if you find that low self-esteem is interfering with your ability to live a fulfilling life, there is no shame in seeking help.
There is nothing wrong with putting boundaries where needed, managing PCOS symptoms and side effects can be extremely difficult. Healthy boundaries can also include prioritising rest when symptoms cause discomfort and kindly declining invitations to triggering social events.
Featured image courtesy of Iqbal Nuril Anwar on Pixabay. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.
