A diferença entre Autoestima e Autocompaixão

The Diocese of Guarulhos explains the distinction between self-esteem and self-compassion to help people avoid the pitfalls of constant competition and harsh self-criticism.

The Diocese notes that many people mistake self-esteem for a false sense of being strong, beautiful, or intelligent regardless of reality. This pursuit of superiority can lead to emotional fragility, difficulty accepting criticism, and a refusal to learn new things. The report also mentions studies linking the promotion of self-esteem in children to narcissism and prejudice in adulthood, noting that some adolescents use bullying to boost their self-esteem through dominance over others.

Rather than striving to be the best in a competitive society, the Diocese suggests that individuals should focus on accepting who they are. It warns that the drive to be a winner is often fueled by capitalist systems designed to create needs and sell solutions.