We are living in an era of confidence and communication.
From the charismatic doctor to the energetic motivational speaker or the loving and kind teacher, at every level and every age, people are most motivated toward those who seem self-reliant and self-assured.
You are reading: Books about low self esteem
Self-esteem, self-esteem, and self-image are counterparts of the general term “self-love.” they are constructs that denote the way we see ourselves, perceive ourselves as individual entities, and represent our personalities. to the world. Confidence is the key to a fulfilling life, and having high self-esteem is where it all begins.
Self-esteem is developed from childhood. the way we interact, observe and listen to the communication patterns of others can play an important role in the way we see and feel about ourselves.
Developing self-esteem and self-sufficiency is a matter of concern today, and thanks to recent advances in science and literature, we now have the right answers.
There has been a lot of work on how we can help ourselves and others to develop our own system, and in this article we have highlighted some of the most prominent.
This article features some of the best books available on self-esteem and related topics. The resources you’ll find here are practical and evidence-based, suggesting effective ways we can implement the knowledge in our everyday lives.
Before we continue, we thought you might like to download our three self-compassion exercises for free. These detailed, science-based exercises will not only help you increase your self-compassion and kindness, but will also give you the tools to help your customers, students, or employees show more self-compassion. .
the 10 best books on self-esteem for adults
carmen jacob, a famous life coach and holistic counselor, presented a list of the best books on self-esteem that you should not miss. Here are the top 10 from her list.
1. The Six Pillars of Self Esteem: The Definitive Work on Self Esteem from the Leading Pioneer in the Field: Nathaniel Branden
Nathaniel Branden’s lifelong collection of clinical research and observation is compiled in the book The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.
The author has creatively presented the benefits of developing self-esteem based on six pillars. The book explains why self-esteem is an essential requirement for a healthy body, mind, and personality, and suggests practical ways to nurture it.
The Six Pillars of Self Esteem is a highly recommended book for mental health professionals, teachers, and parents who wish to empower themselves and others with a defined sense of self.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. the gifts of imperfection: let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and accept who you are – brené brown
Brené Brown’s bestseller, The Gifts of Imperfection, speaks about wholesome wellbeing and self-acceptance. The book has sold over 2 million copies and has been considered a transformational self-help book by many famous institutions, including Forbes and The New York Times.
The book pleasantly invites readers to know that they are more than they think they are. the author explains how normal it is to feel unworthy and ‘low’ at times.
brown offers some meaningful and scientific strategies for embracing our inner critic and using it to best embrace our ‘imperfect’ life.
find the book on amazon or find more self-acceptance books here.
3. what to say when you talk to yourself – shad helmstetter
Our inner self-criticism often damages our sense of self, and here’s what dr. Shad Helmstetter has addressed in his book what to say when you talk to yourself.
This accessible self-help guide is packed with cutting-edge information on how to practice positive self-talk. provides practical advice on how to counteract feelings of low self-esteem and take charge of your happiness.
The book follows a fluid and direct approach and is relatable for readers of all ages.
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look for the book on amazon.
4. Ten days for self-esteem – David D. burns
If you have ever felt bad about your achievements in life or are struggling to cultivate productivity in your daily activities, then this book might be what you need.
10 Days for Self-Esteem by David Burns takes readers on a glorious journey of recognition and self-discovery. the book talks about acceptance, compassion, and innovation as vital components to building a secure system of self-confidence within oneself.
The methods and examples mentioned here are individualized and encompass human fallibility. the book is practical, supported by evidence and effectively applicable in the current context.
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look for the book on amazon.
5. what’s right with me: positive ways to celebrate your strengths, build self-esteem, and reach your potential: carlene deroo and carolyn deroo
When thinking about ourselves, we are more drawn to contemplate the things that went wrong than celebrate the things that worked out well. This book welcomes all the positive self-thoughts and indulges readers in enjoying their lives as it unfolds.
The book is inspiring and helps readers cultivate a strong sense of self. scientifically explains why positive thinking is the starting point for healthy self-esteem and talks about the different small or big lifestyle changes that can help us achieve it.
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look for the book on amazon.
6. Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny! -tony robbins
mastering our emotions, both good and bad, is the key to a healthy self-system. Internationally acclaimed author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins has presented some life-changing ways to better understand and accept ourselves.
The book follows a step-by-step approach to becoming more self-reliant and in control of ourselves. For those struggling to find meaning in their lives, this book can be an eye-opening guide to increasing self-love and acceptance.
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look for the book on amazon.
7. the new psychocybernetics – maxwell maltz
The New Psycho-Cybernetics has been a best-selling self-help book since the 1960s, with more than 30 million copies sold to date.
this book by dr. Maxwell Maltz is helpful in setting goals and executing vital life plans. he has frequently updated his work to include contemporary aspects of the resources.
as readers say, “from weight management to career success”, there is no area left untouched here.
It is recommended reading for professionals in demanding jobs or students who are about to start their working life.
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look for the book on amazon.
8. the power of your subconscious mind – joseph murphy
The subconscious is a driving force behind what we attract into our lives. In his book, The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Joseph Murphy has shed light on some powerful yet practical techniques on how we can change our destiny by redirecting positive energy from within.
This book takes a completely new approach, combining parts of religion, culture, literature, and science to explain what happiness means and suggest ways to cultivate it within ourselves.
This insightful book on self love and self power is an excellent read for people from all walks of life.
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look for the book on amazon.
9. Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Steven C. yes
Self-esteem and self-worth start from accepting ourselves, including our weaknesses and under-achievements. And this is what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to provide to clients.
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The process of acting helps us differentiate between pain and suffering, and the book Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life focuses on this aspect of wellness. author steven hayes has presented some of the most useful scientific techniques for mastering time struggles and seeing the big picture.
This book is a revolutionary approach to treating depression, anxiety, and stress disorders. helps readers learn how we can deal with our pain in a positive way and discover our strengths within suffering to enjoy a full life.
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look for the book on amazon.
10. healing your emotional self: a powerful program to help you raise your self-esteem, calm your inner critic, and overcome your shame – beverly engel
Early childhood experiences play a vital role in the construction and configuration of our own system. emotional abuse, physical abuse, and growing up in a traumatic or ungrateful environment can be fatal to a child’s self-esteem and overall development.
Healing Your Emotional Self addresses a wide range of early life experiences that profoundly affect a child’s self-esteem and suggests successful ways to deal with them.
The book is eye-opening for parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone dealing with issues of childhood and adolescence who want to delve into the underlying causes of low self-esteem.
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look for the book on amazon.
3 good books that address low self-esteem
dr. Berni Sewell, a seasoned health scientist, energy healer, and well-known author, mentioned the following books in her article on self-love and self-power. These books, as she suggests, are excellent reads for anyone who wants to explore her true potential and make the most of her lives.
1. you can heal your life – louise hay
The main idea of this bestselling self-help book is that a person can achieve almost anything in life if they are willing to do the mental work necessary for it.
Author Louise Hay has shared some important first-hand experiences, including life situations, of how people can turn things around in their favor simply by thinking and feeling positive about themselves.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. the art of happiness: a manual for living – dalai lama
If anyone could personify calmness and a strong self-system, the Dalai Lama would surely be somewhere on the list. his journey is enlightening and teaches us the true essence of being alive.
The Art of Happiness is a collection of stories, meditations, and messages from the Dalai Lama on ways we can invite happiness back into our lives.
The book presents a series of individual conversations the author had with different people at different times in life. is a foundational book for endless inspiration, self-love, and a meaningful existence – a must-read for all.
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look for the book on amazon.
3. energy matrix: the science and art of transformation – richard bartlett
of the various attempts by different authors to present the idea of self-esteem, richard bartlett’s hypothesis was convincing.
After experiencing a life-changing event, the author discovered the science of energy transformation which he says could be a quick and permanent cure for people struggling with self-esteem issues.
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The book talks about his research and how readers can apply his rules to shed their insecurities and prosper. For a different yet exciting approach to building self-esteem, you can find this book on Amazon.
3 self-esteem books for children (including picture books)
Recommended by the new york times and other prestigious magazines and newspapers, these are some self-help books that aim to help parents and professionals raise self-confident and self-sufficient children.
1. it’s okay to be different – todd parr
Conveying the message of self-love is vital, and author Todd Parr has presented his unique understanding of self-confidence in an exciting way.
This book, It’s Okay to Be Different, is an easy-to-read, accessible, pictorially rendered manual with stories and illustrations about how children can love and trust themselves.
The book encourages children to strengthen their character, embrace diversity, and learn to accept their minds and bodies.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. the lion within – rachel bright
This self-help book is full of moral stories and pictures that are easy for kids to relate to and understand.
author rachel bright’s main goal is to cultivate the habit of talking about what a child is feeling and what drives their actions or reactions.
With inspiring texts that promote self-esteem and confidence, The Lion Within is a recommended read for children ages 5-12.
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look for the book on amazon.
3. i’m enough – grace byers
An award-winning book on self-love, I Am Enough is a sincere effort to spread the word of self-respect and kindness in kids.
Keeping humanity above all else, author and activist Grace Byers has provided us with the most essential advice on how children can learn their purpose for living and use rational thought to perceive life events.
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look for the book on amazon.
what books on self-esteem are recommended for teenage girls?
Adolescents are often victims of low self-esteem. From having an attractive body to having an ideal relationship, teenagers carry a considerable burden of being ‘perfect’.
Fortunately, we have a plethora of books and resources that address low self-esteem in teens and suggest scientific ways to overcome it.
The following list of books was recommended by Denise Witmer, a well-known author and parenting coach, as good reading for raising self-esteem for teenage girls.
1. Chocolate for a Teenage Girl’s Soul: Young Women’s Life-Changing Stories of Growing Up Wise and Strong – Kay Allenbaugh
With over 50 tales of teenage love and romance, this book addresses emotional issues that more or less all adolescent girls have experienced at some point in their lives.
From first love to first jobs to first heartbreak, Chocolate for a Teen’s Soul offers a forceful approach to discussing teen issues and keeping them from affecting their self-confidence.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. the real rules for girls – mindy morgenstern
The Real Rules for Girls follows a straightforward and solution-focused path to handling the emotional troubles that can create turmoil within a youngster’s mind.
The book addresses topics such as parental discord, love life issues, menstrual and hormonal ups and downs, and managing emotions.
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look for the book on amazon.
3. get over! how to survive breakups, backstabbing friends, and bad haircuts – beth mayall
Created by a team of professional teen health writers, the book Get Over It! is a strategic self-help manual with tips and tricks on surviving the emotional trauma that teenage girls experience.
From dealing with stress to dealing with poor academic performance and family expectations, this book offers simple, practical steps girls can take to feel better about themselves.
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look for the book on amazon.
3 books on self-esteem
matt valentine, a well-known self-published self-help author, cited the following books as some of the best resources for improving a sense of self-esteem.
1. The Magic of Thinking Big – David J. schwartz
If you’re looking to instill unadulterated self-confidence in yourself or others, this book is for you. the magic of thinking big is a manual to improve and update the image of oneself.
author david j. schwartz believes that unless we are ready to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, we can never escape the trap of lack of confidence.
Written in accessible English and in a conversational tone, this book is excellent for self-empowerment from the ground up.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. think and grow rich – napoleon hill
That wealth is in the heart and not in our pockets is the main idea of this award-winning self-reliance book.
author napoleon hill has talked about building confidence and creating happiness in life by improving mental faculties. the book is about developing a strong system of your own that won’t be easy to break.
An insightful and motivational resource for all ages, this book is available in print and digital formats.
look for this book on amazon.
3. the power of positive thinking – dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Positive interventions begin with positive thoughts and positive actions. This book by Dr. Norman V. Peale is all about awakening the positive spirit in ourselves and realizing what happens when we consciously replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
The Power of Positive Thinking takes a modern approach and follows a personal tone. the author has beautifully explained the value of having our own space and how we can use it to improve ourselves.
From goal setting to executing life plans, this book has everything you need to get back on your feet.
search the book on amazon or find more goal setting books.
3 recommendations on self-image
Self-image, or the way we perceive ourselves, is an important component of our identity. The following books have been suggested as helpful resources for improving self-image by eminent authors and researchers such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jessica Smith, and Diana Ackerman.
1. who moved my cheese? -spencer johnson
A timeless self-help classic, the book Who Moved My Cheese? by spencer johnson is a truthful revelation of knowing our strengths and weaknesses and using them to pursue happiness and success in life.
The book has components of realism, spirituality, positive interventions, and lifestyle modification advice, all of which aim to show readers how they can adjust to life more effectively.
With the peculiar metaphor of cheese, the author has delved into successfully leading us to a happier life. A highly recommended read and a personal favorite self-help book, this can really get the self-motivation ball rolling.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. mindsight: change your brain and your life – daniel j. siegel
Daniel Siegel’s works on self-image and positive psychology are landmark texts, and this book is no exception.
introduced the term ‘mindsight’ to refer to the integration of brain science and psychotherapeutic techniques. Through his writings, Siegel has conveyed how we can use inclusive approaches to tackle real-life problems and get out of them successfully.
The book comes with a selection of case studies from the author’s practice, and each example is followed by practical steps on how readers can implement the steps in their lives.
siegel has taken into account the problems that come with poor self-image, including social phobia and relationship distress, and offered reliable ways to address them through mind’s eye.
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look for the book on amazon.
3. body confidence: the scientific approach to glowing from within – dr. katherine e. isoe
an important part of self-image lies in the way we perceive our physical appearance. Especially for young people, the way they see themselves often decides the way they see themselves. Along with social norms and beauty standards, body image affects self-image to a great extent.
dr. Katherine Iscoe’s book sheds light on cultivating a positive body image and celebrates radical self-acceptance. The book is divided into three segments, each addressing a crucial aspect of the self system.
The author has brought to light vital points about the emotional impacts of criticism and bullying, and offered state-of-the-art measures to minimize the damage. It is recommended for teens, women, and anyone who wants to identify their strengths and look past short-term failures.
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look for the book on amazon.
2 audiobook recommendations
Recommended as the best self-help audiobooks by the new york times and babcp magazine, these are some of the all-time favorite resources for getting the best out of yourself.
1. overcome low self esteem – melanie fennell
A useful guide for therapists and beginners in mental health professions, this audiobook is a clear-sailing initiative by the author to help us appreciate ourselves.
The book emphasizes the importance of self-care and self-recognition.
walks through the different aspects of high self-esteem and guides listeners in learning and managing the rules for themselves.
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look for the book on amazon.
2. braving the desert: the search for true belonging and the courage to be alone – brené brown
Self-esteem is another name for flying alone and feeling happy about it. This is what author Brené Brown has conveyed in her bestselling book Braving Wild Nature: The Search for True Belonging and the Courage to Be Alone.
the author strongly points out that if we are happy with ourselves and do not wait for others to approve or disapprove of our actions, we can appeal to our high self-esteem and courage.
The book navigates through all the worldly issues that can damage the self system, including money, obesity, relationship abuse, and bullying. has provided a clear roadmap for dealing with each of them for better self-understanding. With a personal touch and narrative tone, this book can be the silver lining for anyone struggling to get ahead.
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look for the book on amazon.
a message to take home
Self-esteem and confidence are maintained in all aspects of our lives. from academic achievement to social ties, with the right self-system, we can flourish and seek happiness from within. As the saying goes, “falling in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness.”
Knowing self-reliance and self-esteem can prepare us for the journey and accelerate our success. The books and resources in this article can usher in building our inner potential and give us a realistic view of the true meaning of self-fulfillment.
Whether it is related to goal setting or self recognition, true power is within us, and this is what most authors and researchers have tried to express in their works. learning from our mistakes, using the learning for future actions, and respecting ourselves before expecting others to respect us: that is the true power of self-esteem.
For more practical applications to improve your self-esteem, read our article detailing self-esteem worksheets and activities.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three free self-compassion exercises.
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