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Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Finding Balance in a Comparison Culture

Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Psych Pstuff
Published in
10 min readJan 14, 2025

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Photo by Chela B. on Unsplash

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” — Theodore Roosevelt

In an era characterized by ubiquitous social media platforms, omnipresent advertising, and the pervasive pressure to measure up to ever-shifting ideals, it has become increasingly challenging for individuals to sustain a stable sense of self-esteem and self-worth (Brown, 2012). Rather than merely gauging personal progress or accomplishments, countless people find themselves engaged in a perpetual cycle of comparison — comparing their careers, appearances, relationships, and even their leisure activities to others’, often with detrimental psychological consequences (Festinger, 1954). This constant comparison can manifest in emotional distress, diminished resilience, and an eroded capacity for self-acceptance, ultimately undermining the robust sense of self that fosters personal growth and well-being (Neff, 2011). Nonetheless, a deeper understanding of the psychology underlying self-esteem and…

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Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Written by Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Writer and university professor researching the human condition, generational studies, human and animal rights, and the intersection of art and psychology

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