Self-Esteem and Self-Worth – what’s the difference?

By Holly Clarkson

Creative Director, Big Mouth Theatre

Many of you know that we at Big Mouth love to utilise the dramatic arts to help boost confidence and feelings of self-worth.

You might be surprised to know, however, that I have struggled with self-worth at times, particularly in adult life.

Over the years, I've discovered ways in which a person can feel most secure in themselves and have witnessed my own self-esteem grow precisely when I no longer continued to pursue it! Sounds crazy, right?



As part of my research, a friend of mine (who just happens to be a wonderful psychologist and an ex-secondary school counsellor) suggested an exercise where I close my eyes and picture myself as new-born baby, lying in a cot. As that baby, I am fundamentally fine, just as I am. I am unique, and it’s this uniqueness that gives me innate worth and value. Self-worth.

It seems, then, that self-esteem occurs as a result of our accomplishments.

Being on a winning team, getting top marks on a test, receiving a ‘well done’ for a completed work project; these are all things that would provide me a boost – making me feel great about myself.

When in ‘esteem’ mode, I continue to chase the next achievement to receive the level of validation I'm looking for, giving me that boost (my friend likened it to that of a dog chasing a car!)

That just sounds like an exhausting way to live your life!

With all that in mind, I now try to have a fundamental friendship with myself; to see myself as a work-in-progress, and know that I always will be! There are no conditions to be fulfilled being ‘Holly’ and no surgeon in the world can remove my innate qualities that make me… well, me!

Through not actively pursuing my self-esteem, and trying out new things for pure enjoyment and experience (and not for mere accomplishment) it has truly helped my feelings of self-worth, built resilience (and weirdly, boosted her self-esteem..!)

The rest of the team and I are continuously learning to help our understanding and expand our knowledge of helping young people feel great about themselves – the key part of the Big Mouth ethos. All of this work goes into the way in which we conduct ourselves in class, plan our sessions, and encourage your wonderful children, who are worthwhile and absolutely fine, just as they are!