Think about it: you’re constantly hearing those false “not _____ enough” messages from advertising. Impossible images of perfection bombard us online, in magazines, or on TV every day. But even if you were completely unplugged, low self-esteem would still be hard to escape.

Poor self image also goes hand-in-hand with many mental illnesses (like eating disorders, depression, and anxiety to name a few) which are characterized by extreme guilt, shame, and hopelessness. All of those emotions, when unchecked, tear down our self-esteem.

Often low self-worth and self-hatred are rooted in trauma, such as the verbal and emotional abuse of a family member, close friend, or ex.

If you’ve lived with someone who makes you feel terrible about yourself and who has convinced you that everything is your fault, those beliefs can persist even if the toxic or abusive person is no longer in your life.

With so much tearing us down, it’s no wonder people begin to believe the lies that drive low-self esteem lower.