What is Self-Esteem?
What is Self-Esteem?
At True Balance Karate in Downers Grove, we believe self-esteem is about liking yourself and feeling good about your choices. This month in our True Character program, we’re helping students of all ages recognize their strengths, celebrate progress, and build confidence through challenges.
I’m Master H, owner and chief instructor here at True Balance Karate. With two master’s degrees in education, I’ve helped design our True Character program, a social-emotional learning curriculum that serves everyone from our youngest three-year-old students to adults in their 80s. This month, we’re focusing on self-esteem.
When we teach kids about self-esteem, we have them say:
“I like myself and I feel good about my choices.”
That simple phrase shapes how they view confidence, effort, and resilience.
Confidence in What We Do
Self-esteem grows when we recognize what we’re good at, the things we enjoy, and the moments we feel proud of our progress. At our studio, belt testing every two months gives students a clear chance to see how far they’ve come—what they can do now that they couldn’t do before. The same lesson applies at home: as kids take on more chores or responsibilities, they see growth in themselves, which builds pride and confidence.
Feeling Good About Our Choices
Equally important is the ability to feel good about the decisions we make—especially when we choose to take on challenges. Whether students succeed or simply learn something new, the act of trying matters. That’s why we give “black belt challenges,” teaching harder moves like jump spin kicks. Most students fall at first—but getting back up, trying again, and sticking with it are what truly strengthen self-esteem.
Building Each Other Up
Self-esteem isn’t just about ourselves. It’s also about encouraging our friends, neighbors, and family members to feel good about who they are and the choices they make. By supporting one another, we create a community where confidence grows and everyone feels empowered to face challenges.
So this month, as we focus on self-esteem, we’ll explore why it’s important, how to strengthen it in ourselves, and how to lift up others along the way.
See you on the mat!
True Balance Karate was founded in 2012 by Master Sue and Paul Helsdon.
We offer kids karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up. These lessons are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need — specialized for their age group — for school excellence and later success in life.
Our adult martial arts training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.
Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 630-663-2000. You can also contact us here. True Balance Karate is at 406 Ogden Ave Downers Grove Illinois, 60515 (next to CVS) Check out our Facebook!