Have you ever stopped to observe the self-esteem of the women around you?
Recently, I conducted a poll on Instagram and was surprised by the responses. Many remarkable women (who take care of themselves, value themselves, and even inspire others) admitted that they see a lack of self-esteem in many women close to them: mothers, sisters, coworkers, and even close friends.
That made me think: why do so many women around us still carry insecurities and struggle to recognize their own greatness? Is it a legacy from stricter generations with rigid social expectations? Or is it that even today the pressure of impossible standards still erodes self-confidence? Regardless of the cause, one thing is certain: we can make a difference in the lives of the women we love and live with daily.
If you feel that you, yourself, need to improve your self-esteem, this is your full guide.
How Self-Esteem (or Lack Thereof) Affects Women Close to You
Self-esteem is much more than just “feeling pretty.” It’s deeply tied to how each woman sees herself, values herself, and believes in her own abilities.
When self-esteem is low, the effects appear in many areas:
- Relationships: difficulty in setting boundaries or fear of being rejected.
- Career: insecurity when asking for a raise, leading projects, or changing professions.
- Personal life: constant comparison with other women and excessive self-criticism.
- Emotional health: higher tendency toward anxiety, stress, or even depression.
On the flip side, a woman with elevated self-esteem radiates confidence, builds healthier relationships, pursues new opportunities, and inspires others to do the same.
And this is exactly where your role comes in.
If it’s your mom that needs a self-esteem boost, here there’s an specific article to cover it all.
Three Ways to Support the Self-Esteem of Women Around You
Helping someone strengthen her self-esteem doesn’t mean solving all her problems, it means being supporter, inspiration, and encourager. Here are three possible paths:
1️⃣ Talking with Kindness and Empathy
Deep conversations aren’t always easy, but dialogue is crucial to encourage reflection.
How to put this into practice:
- Make genuine compliments: praise achievements, personal qualities, and even small steps forward.
- Share real stories: talk about times when you also had insecurities and how you handled them.
- Offer active listening: sometimes, she just needs to be heard, without judgement.
A sincere conversation can be the first step for her to realize that she deserves more than she has accepted so far.
2️⃣ Understanding Without Comparing
Every woman has a different history: family, experiences, pains, and successes. Comparing journeys breeds more pressure.
Practical tips to show understanding:
- Respect her pace. People don’t all change at the same speed.
- Offer support, but avoid imposing ready-made solutions.
- Treat her as a friend, not as a “project” to fix.
- Acknowledge that even the strongest people have moments of fragility.
When we show understanding without judgment, we create a safe space where other women can open up and bloom..
3️⃣ Creating Positive Experiences
One of the most powerful ways to boost self-esteem is to provide moments in which a woman feels special. This can take many forms:
- Invite her for a coffee or dinner just among friends.
- Gift her with what matches her style, but something meaningful.
- Encourage her to invest in something she’s always wanted: a hobby, a course, a trip.
- Suggest experiences that highlight her beauty and strength.
- Gift her with a female photo session: many friends, sisters, even daughters share this transformative experience. A photo shoot is not just about pretty pictures, but about seeing herself with new eyes, valuing real beauty, and preserving her strength in images that uplift self-esteem.
Small gestures, when done from the heart, can completely change how someone sees herself.
Everyday Small Attitudes That Make a Big Difference
Self-esteem isn’t built only in big moments, it’s built mainly through repeated daily actions. You can help women near you in simple ways, such as:
- Remind her that you are proud of her.
- Encourage celebrating achievements, no matter how small.
- Create support networks among friends and colleagues, in which one woman inspires the other.
- Share positive content about self-care, empowerment, and self-love.
These attitudes, summed up, build an environment where everyone feels stronger and more secure.
The Ripple Effect of Female Self-Esteem
When one woman becomes stronger, the impact doesn’t stay with her alone. Elevated self-esteem overflows and affects many:
- A confident coworker opens space for other women to take leadership roles.
- A friend who believes in herself inspires her circle to take better care of themselves.
- A mother who loves herself teaches her daughters that they are valuable too.
This ripple effect is powerful. By supporting the self-esteem of women around you, you contribute to a stronger, freer, more confident community.
Conclusion
The self-esteem of the women around you is not only an individual matter. It reflects the collective and, at the same time, is a driver of transformation.
Talking with empathy, understanding without comparing, and creating positive experiences—these are three practical steps to support those who are beside you.
With every gesture, compliment, and encouragement, you help break limiting patterns and open space for women around you to see themselves through eyes of power, beauty, and worth that they have always deserved.
Why not observe today the women close to you? Identify someone who needs extra support, offer a word of encouragement, or create a special moment. You may be surprised by the transformation this brings not only in them, but also in you.
👉 If you liked these reflections, share this article with women around you who might find it meaningful.