The tenth monthly seminar under the banner Conscientia focused on the topic of Balanced Self-Esteem. True to its title, the session explored how to maintain a self-perception that avoids the extremes of excessive docility and insolence. In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, where our self-worth is constantly questioned, the seminar aimed to help participants build healthy self-esteem—a harmonious blend of humility and confidence—especially as the year draws to a close.
The session was led by Dr. Indla Mounika, a distinguished medical professional with impressive credentials: MBBS, M.S. (Ortho), FIJR. She earned her MBBS from Guntur Medical College and her M.S. from Government Medical College, Srikakulam. She has also completed a Fellowship in Joint Replacement at Srikara Hospitals, Hyderabad, and currently serves as a consultant at Ambajipet Women’s Hospital near Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Mounika began her session with a compelling introduction to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, highlighting self-esteem as the penultimate need of this hierarchy, just below self-actualization. This visual and theoretical foundation underscored the importance of cultivating balanced self-esteem. She then delved into various facets of the topic, including:
- Factors influencing self-esteem
- Types of self-esteem
- Self-esteem vs. narcissism
- Healthy vs. low self-esteem
- Signs of low self-esteem
- Self-care tips to enhance confidence
One participant’s testimony beautifully captured the session’s impact:
“Thank you for inviting me to the session. Reflecting on the notes, I can locate myself within the types of self-esteem and see the need to shift to authentic, balanced self-esteem. When the speaker described low self-esteem traits, I could relate and understand areas for growth. I also observed self-esteem patterns in my family and friends—many people lean towards either low self-esteem or narcissism.
The connection between Maslow’s hierarchy and this session is evident. For every step outlined to build self-esteem, I wrote notes that reassured me. I’ll consciously work on these until I achieve balance. I appreciate the effort behind organizing this session, finding resources, and choosing such an excellent facilitator. Dr. Mounika’s patience and thoughtful answers were truly valuable.”
The session’s interactive nature encouraged participants to reflect on their own experiences, leading to several key takeaways, such as:
- “I identified where I stand in terms of self-esteem and understood the need to work on it for my growth.”
- “Self-confidence is not just about specific tasks but about embracing my whole being. Just as we accept others, we should accept ourselves too!”
With an average attendance of 22 attendees throughout the session, the seminar was well-received and generated positive feedback. Overall, it proved to be a meaningful and thought-provoking session, equipping attendees with practical insights to end the year with a stronger sense of self-worth.