HYPER Self Help Resources EN

HYPER SELF- HELP RESOURCES

HOOLIGANISM Presented by The Rural Hub

IT'S A PROCESS

TIPS ABOUT RADICALISATION

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

RED FLAGS OF RADICALIZATION Behaviours and actions that signal that either you or a person close to you is being absorbed into a Hooligan Mentality

Intrigued and Excited by violent acts and Destructive behaviours Feeling an attraction and interest in acts of aggression against police or between different sets of fans Ask yourself: What do such acts have to do with sports and your passion for a team?

Believing that violent groups of Fans are the true protectors of the team Becoming convinced that violent fans are the soul of the team and that their fighting and brutal acts add to the glory and history of the team

Try to distinguish between passion and thuggish behaviours. Being an enthusiastic and loyal supporter of a team does not mean that you should be aggressive towards others

Considering other fans and the police as enemies you have to fight with and subdue Developing a mindset which considers sports as a combat zone where you fellow supporters must attack and dominate others

Being a fan should be understood as a form of a passionate and vocal support for the team through thick and thin. It should not be confused with antisocial, thuggish behaviour that involve attacks towards others and riots

Become associated with violent groups of fans Taking steps to emulate the stance and style of violent fans trying to follow their approach in order to get recognition andjoin them

Ask yourself: do these groups really have anything to do with sports and your team or are they just using them as an excuse to express their violent tendencies. Do you really stand to gain anything by hurting an opponent or a fellow human being? Shouldn't violence be where you draw the line?

HYPER SELF- HELP RESOURCES

ISLAMIC RADICALIZATION Presented by The Rural Hub

IT'S A PROCESS

TIPS ABOUT RADICALISATION

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

RED FLAGS OF RADICALIZATION Behaviours and actions that signal that either you or a person close to you is being absorbed into a radical Islamist Mentality

Feeling ostracized and non-belonging in the local society Having the impression of being a victim of discrimination and being alienated

Ask yourself: What is causing this detachment? Is its root cause your religion or something different?

What steps have you taken to address it and enhance your links with yourpeers?

Drawn by radical interpretations and extreme views Rejection of the rules and prevalent ideals of society on religious grounds and refusal to recognize the value of other points of view

Exercise emotional self-regulation, try to evaluate and test your views and religious sentiment by exploring with empathy and openness the beliefsand principles of others

Becoming increasingly argumentative, insistently preaching religious ideas to others Being abusive and exhibiting a need to dominate or control others

Use your critical judgment and beware of simplistic, black-and-white rhetoric (that views everything as either good or bad) on social issues and complex international events.Promote a more communicative approach that explore different sources of information andviewpoints

Expression of hateful views towards other individuals or groups Display of symbols of affiliation or support associated with recognized violent extremist groups

It is pivotal understand that islamist extremists cherry pick from the Islamic preachings to push for violence. Religious experts hold the unanimousview that Islam prohibits both murder andsuicide

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

NATIONALISM

IT'S A PROCESS

T I P S ABOUT R A D IC A L ISAT IO N

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

RED FLAGS OF RADICALIZATION Behaviours and actions that signal that either you or a person close to you is being absorbed into an ultranationalist Mentality

Feeling persecuted and threatened

Being hostile towards people from other ethnic groups, of different religions, sexual orientation or cultural background, especially Muslims

Ask yourself: What is the source of these views? Are there any concrete evidence to support these feelings? Who is promoting these kind of opinions and have you explored any counter-arguments to this rhetoric?

Reciting simplistic and prejudiced arguments about immigration and minorities Sharing extremist or divisive views, especially on immigration, lgbt issues and Islam, on social media

Use your critical judgment and beware ofsimplistic, black-and-white rhetoric. Take steps to expandyour mindset and experiences so that you can be in a position to better evaluate reality anddevelopments and only after you know all thefacts

A significant change of appearance and clothing, adopting the use of certain symbols associated with far-right organisations See their co-patriots as under threat of racial and cultural extinction and say that they have to ‘take action’

Take steps to challenge these opinions by exploring alternative arguments and through debunking the views and ideas put forward by such groups

Approving or being supportive towards the use of violence Develop affiliations with rightwing groups and organizations that are taking violent measures and promote radical approaches in regards to migrants and people of other ethnicities

Try to motivate yourself to develop links to society and influence their way of thinking so that they find meaning in another direction, stop viewing society as black or white and pivot their energy towards constructive approaches to the community and yourpeers.

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

POLITICO-RELIGIOUS RADICALIZATION

IT'S A PROCESS

T I P S ABOUT R A D IC A L ISAT IO N

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website:https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

RED FLAGS OF RADICALIZATION Behaviours and actions that signal that either you or a person close to you is being absorbed into a Radical Politico-Religious Thinking

Apathetic towards professional or school activities Losing interest in school/work and cutting off ties with family members and/or close friends

Ask yourself: Is this natural? What is causing this behaviour and this attitude?

Expression of polarizing views and believing in radical religious interpretations Adhering to extreme views and theories that define people or groups as enemies fueling a negative and sometimes aggressive stance towards them

Double-check and question these views and the ones promoting them. Seek and examine more opinions and views on the matter. Explore talking and having interactions with those defined as the enemies.

Believing that religion is the only source of morality while groups of people and behaviors within society threaten it

Expressing hateful views towards other individuals or groups

Ask yourself: Why hold this opinion towards other groups within society? What has led you or your friend to this stance?

The use of violence to 'defend religion' becomes acceptable Supporting and legitimizing attacks towards minorities because they are considereda threat to religion and tradition

Is violence really an expression of piety and respect for tradition? To what extent are attacks on, often, weak and marginalized individuals, aligned with thepreaching and values of theChurch?

HYPER SELF- HELP RESOURCES

HATE SPEECH Presented by Lancaster and Morecambe College

IT'S A PROCESS

TIPS ABOUT RADICALISATION

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING STRANGE WILL BE HAPPENING? Think about the following situations and decide what would you do in the same circumstances.

In your class There is a girl who has come with her family from Syria fleeing the war.

After sports lesson, your best mate send you a message saying that she thinks it would be funny to take her clothes out of the locker to have a great laugh, saying that is just a "funny joke" and that there is nothing to be worry about.

What would you do?

After your lessons There is a huge demonstration against refugees privileges in your city. Your mates send you a message saying that everyone in your High School is going, and that it would be cool for you to go, so you could be more integrated in your group of friends.

You know that in this kind of events, some people undertake violent acts against refugees, insult or ridiculise them.

What would you do?

You are having a drink with your best mate She has met you in the neighborhood where the refugee girl who goes to your class lives.

Suddenly, he/she has begun to insult the people who are passing through thestreet, to laugh at them and the way they dress.

What would you do?

After finishing your lessons today You hear a very loud noise in the hallway

When you arrive at the place, yourfriend and five more guys are beating the little brother of the refugee girl from your class

What would you do?

Today in one of your lessons A new girl has arrived who is fleeing the war in Yemen.

After introducing herself, she tries to find a person to sit with.

Everyone is starring, or just looking away to avoid being chosen. She is starting to feel uncomfortable.

What would you do?

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

RADICAL FEMINISM

IT'S A PROCESS

T I P S ABOUT R A D IC A L ISAT IO N

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING STRANGE WILL BE HAPPENING? Think about the following situations and how would you feel in the same circumstances.

There is a demonstration in your city Supporting Women Rights and equalitybetween men and women.

You feel this is a good cause to go out and help.

But once you are there, you see how some of the girls are commiting vandal acts and destroying and painting the walls of different shops and other infrastructures.

How would you feel?

During the demonstration You see how all the boys and girls are carrying banners with messages for equal rights between men and women

But there is a group of girls who are carrying banners with a hate speech towards men

How would you feel?

The demonstration has ended up going to your High School They have placed themselves in the middle of the entrance and don´t allow the students to attend their lessons

How would you feel?

Some of your friends and you Have been able to access to the High School

But during the lessons, some girls have come in banging pans and making it impossible to pay attention to the teacher

How would you feel?

The next day In your High School, all classes have been damaged and the walls of the halls are full of graffiti

The staff has decided to close it for a few days to bring it back to normal and you are not able to attendyour lessons

How would you feel?

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

RADICAL LEFT WING

IT'S A PROCESS

T I P S ABOUT R A D IC A L ISAT IO N

It is a process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT HAPPENS GRADUALLY So children and young people who are affected may not realise what it is that they are being drawn to.

Source: NSPCC LEARNING Website: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation/

IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE Thinking that something like this will never happen to you makes you vulnerable, since it may make it difficult for you to realize you are recruited.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING STRANGE WILL BE HAPPENING? Think about the following situations and how would you feel in the same circumstances.

When you were studying at the library this morning

JOIN OUR FIGHT!

We are tired of talking! We want change and we want it NOW! Come tonight to our protest against police authority!

Have a look in our website to know what you shouldbring!

An email came through

Your friend looked at you saying: "Come on, won´t you even give it a try?"

What would you do?

Finally, you decide to give it a try and explore the website The first thing you can see when you open it surprises you a bit

It seems to be an advice about wearing masks during the protests, so you are able to commit vandal acts without being identified

How this would make you feel?

As you lower the cursor, you find other previous posts What you find next impacts you

There is a ranking in which the member of the organization that has bothered the authorities most wins

How this would make you feel?

You also finda list with something that looks like ingredients But to make what?

They explain how to make a molotov cocktail to throw to the police station and many other public buildings

How this would make you feel?

At the bottom of the website There is a big message for you

They encourage you to spread the information you just saw with other people so they all can join the organisation

What would you do?

HYPER SELF- HELP RESOURCES

Computer games in process of radicalization Presented by Lancaster and Morecambe College

"Shooting" as a means of recruiting children and youth to radicalization organization.

These organizations are using games because it is a platform where you can meet young people and recruit them.

"If you are seriously engaged in marketing and want to reach out to some target group, you are trying to be where they are".

Your friend says to you: “I found a very interesting community for people who are playing in “Call of duty”. We are discussing and improving our gaming skills on this forum. I will send you the link.

The name of this community is “Jih Ad Ist forum”.

Also, if you complete all the tasks given to you by the leaders, you will have the opportunity to `level up` and gain ranks next to the avatars. I noticed that I`m getting more aggressive while playing, and honestly, I`m so immersed in the game that I don`t want to talk to my family.

But I`m proud of my achievements in-game and my ranks on the forum and if I achieve the highest level of avatar we will meet with guys from the forum community in real life and have more important real tasks! You should try it too.”

What would you do in this case?

You have a letter from a friend.

What do you think about this situation?

Hi, Mike! I hate everything! Parents are very annoying, everyday they c r i t i c i ze me, I`m doing everything wrong according t o them. There is no chance t h a t i will pass my exams and g o t o university, because I have awful grades in college. All I enjoy doing is playing on t h e new s h o o ter computer game, which is not very popular. I`m playing like ISIL hitman. Myhero has a g r e a t range o f weapons and use very interesting gaming strategy. Also, I read a l i tt l e bit o f information about this organization and i want t o connect with t h e leaders.

Maybe I could t r y t o work in this organization. Would you like t o t r y playing in this game?

You notice that your friend is playing a strange mobile game all the time.

- What is this game about?

-Oh, it’s my friend who recommended to me and I’m interested in this game. In this game, the colour of your skin is your uniform in the battle for the survival of your kind. Your main task is to save White Race, it depends on you to secure its existence. The player controls a neo-Nazi skinhead or a Klansman and is tasked with killing Africans, Mexicans and Jews. Would you like to try?

What do you think about this game?

What do you want to say to your friend?

HYPER SELF- HELP RESOURCES

A DESIRE FOR STATUS Presented by The Rural Hub

Human beings have a deeprooted longing to feel valuable. We desire feelings of self-esteem and competence.

Unfortunately, these feelings of value are almost neverassessed on their own. We are social beings, and as such our sense of competence is connected to those around us.

Our Status is defined by where we are positioned in relation to other people.

In all societies, there are variations of status, andalthough there is no universal scale of how status is measured, those with higher status have greater power, money, and influence.

Status anxiety is a worry about our standing in the world, whether it’s going up or going down, whether we’re winners or losers. People often worry about having low status because we struggle to remain confident about ourselves when other people don’t seem to like or respect us.

The sense of reward we receive from an increase in status can be very influential.

However, as with all emotional experiences, the threat response is stronger and more common than the reward response.

This means that the sense of danger we experience when our status is threatened is even more influential.

Often times our status will come partly from our group membership. We feel good about our group and this makes us feel good about ourselves.

However, this can sometimes contribute to an “us-versusthem” mentality. This is dangerous and can lead to hostilities.

People go to tremendous extremes to increase or protect their status.

Worryingly, research developed in the United Kingdom has highlighted several personality traits where individuals might be more vulnerable to the threat of radicalisation and ‘a desire for status – a need for identity, meaning and belonging’ is one of them.

An unhealthy relationship with status can make you an ideal target for dangerous people who you may encounter online. These can include groomers, radicalisers and recruiters for extremist groups.

These individuals and groups will try to manipulate your insecurities and convince you of fictitious threats.

They may promise you an opportunity to gain status within their group.

They may agitate you byoffering a scapegoat to blame all your misfortunes on..

But these groups are dangerous, and it is important to realize that you are being manipulated.

Securing your own status should not involve intentionally harming the status of another.

Here are some tips to increase your own sense of status in ways that you canbe proud of!

No.1 Set goals and beat your own past performance. Increasing your status in relation to your former self can give you a great sense of achievement. This can be physical endurance, mental fortitude, developing a skill,and even increased acts of kindness.

No.2 Monitor your Comparisons.

Feelings of unchecked envy can lead to shame and anger. It is important to reframe events which threaten your status, try to use them as motivation for self improvement. Keep in mind that no matter what method of measurement you use – someone will always out-do you and someone is always worse off than you.

No.3 High status does not equal happiness. Although we tendto recognize our status by comparing ourselves to other people, its indicators aremerely objective attributes. Remember that happiness is more about being able to savor the small things than being able to afford the big things!

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

A NEED TO DOMINATE AND CONTROL OTHERS Presented by The Rural Hub

Sometime when our lives feel outside of our control, we try to harness control elsewhere.

Maybe you struggle to keep up with deadlines in school, to meet the responsibilities of your job or to maintain friendships and family relations. This can result in a feeling of anxiety and it is possible to become overwhelmed by a feeling of not being good enough.

Perhaps you are someone who set standards too high for yourself. You feel under constant pressure to be the best. You want everything to be perfect and are constantly looking for ways to validate yourself. This too can result in a feeling of anxiety and it is possible to become overwhelmed by a feeling of failure.

Occasionally, these feelings can lead to an impulse to control or manipulate others in a bid to feel in charge.

This isn’t always done with a negative intention. It can come in the form of advising, obsessing over or monitoring people’s behaviour. It becomes a way to manage anxiety or feelings of displacement and inadequacy.

However, when left unchecked these impulses may become dangerous and can turn to manipulation, control and even bullying.

Worryingly, research developed in the United Kingdom has highlighted several personality traits where individuals might be more vulnerable to the threat of radicalisation and ‘a need to dominate and control others’ is one of them.

The disposition described above can make you an ideal target for dangerous people who you may encounter online.

These can include groomers, radicalisers and recruiters for extremist groups. These individuals and groups prey on young people with this trait by appealing to your desire to control others. They may offer you a leading role and promise you authority.

This may seem like an opportunity to indulge in qualities that are otherwise seen as unpopular, but it is important to see the bigger picture. In this scenario you are the one being controlled, and you will only be valued while you subscribe to the exact ideals set by the extremist. There are countless other, and better ways for you to lead, influence and inspire others. There is also a wealth of support to help manage those controlling impulses.

Here are some tips to effectively deal with the need to dominate and control others so that you can protect yourself from online threats and dangers.

No.1 Learn more about anxiety and how to manage it. Rather than fighting with feelings of uncertainty by deflecting them on others, learn where these feelings come from and figure out the best way for you to process them. You might find help in a book or with a counsellor but make sure you’re getting information from credible sources.

No.2 Apply some self-awareness to your behaviour. Attempt to actively assess your actions throughout the day and catch yourself when you give in to a controlling impulse. Ask yourself why you are doing it and what effect it may have on the other person. Over timethis will foster empathy in your actions and your interactions.

No.3 Meditate. Sit or lie in a comfortable position.

Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Allow your breath to normalise and focus on its rhythm. Follow the breath in and out, note as it fills your chest and feel the slight rise and fall in your shoulders. Try to do this every day for 5 to 10 minutes. There are lots of apps available to help you with this. Meditation is widely reported to help with stress and anxiety and improve emotional intelligence. Over time it will help you to unwind and let go of the need to control

H Y P E R SELF- HELP R E S O U R C E S

BEI N G AT A T RA N S I T I ON A L STAGE OF LIFE Presented by The Rural Hub

Your teenage years are full of difficult transitions. Relationships are changing and we experience pressure from different sources. Things that were once simple and reliable now seem complex and uncertain. Family, school, friendships, relationships, work, self-image and isolation all bring withthem a different type of stress.

You want to be independent and to meet your own needs. You want to be brave and engage with new and bold ideas. But all the while, so much of your daily routine is outsideof your own personal control.

This can feel overwhelming and sometimes all we really want is to feel connected and stable and to beseen and accepted.

Worryingly, the emotions and uncertainties that you feel at this time can make you vulnerable to online threats, some of whichyou may not even be aware of. The circumstances described above can make you an ideal target for dangerous people who you may encounter online. These can include groomers, radicalisers and recruiters for extremist groups.

These individuals and groups prey on young people at this transitional period by offering a shared vision, the opportunity to be part of something bigger, to play a valuable part and to be given a voice. This can be very appealing in a world that isn’t paying attention to you or appreciating you.

But these groups are dangerous, and it is important to remember that they do not have your best interest at heart.

There is always someone better you could speak to.

Here are some tips to effectively deal with the pressures associated with these transitional times in your own way so that you canprotect yourself from online threats and dangers.

No.1 Talk to someone. Findsomeone who you can speak to, free of judgement. It can be a family member, friend, teacher or counsellor and then try to be as open and honest with them as possible. Sometimes even just putting your feelings into words can make it easier foryou to make sense of them.

No.2 Unplug. Get offline and go outside. Living in the digital world of information can be a very positive thing but we all need a break sometimes. Algorithms are designed to keep our eyes on the screen for as long as possible and they do this by showing us more of what we likebut gradually more sensational. Don’t allow yourself to bebrainwashed, limit your use and take back control!

No.3 Acknowledge your feelings.

Emotions are complicated and sometimes we rush to label our experience or assume where a feeling came from.

Oftentimes the best thing to do is to try and figure out exactly how we are feeling and precisely what caused us to react in this way. Taking some responsibility for your reactions and finding patterns in your behaviour can make it easier to manage how you respond to difficult emotions.

H Y P E R S E L F - H E LP R E S O U R CES

OVER- IDENTIFICATION WITH A GROUP OR IDEOLOGY Presented by The Rural Hub

It is very common for people to place themselves in recognized and labelled social groups.

It helps people feel connected to one another.

It is particularly common among groups of young people; who often segregate themselves into different peer groups.

These groups can be based on common lifestyle characteristics, such as shared beliefs, interest in clothes and music, and a preference for certain types of activities.

As a teenager, you are becoming increasingly independent from your family unit. You are beginning to make more and more decisions for yourself and because this is a new experience, you may not always be sure of what to do.

You may find some support and direction from your group of peers.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing!

You might identify with groups in order to develop a sense of identity and this can help to build a positive image of yourself. It can also help you to discover cultural norms by indicating successful and unsuccessful ways of participating in your chosen culture.

However, it is possible to overidentify.

Which is the action of identifying oneself to an extreme degree, causing damage to your own individualism or objectivity.

Worryingly, research developed in the United Kingdom has highlighted several personality traits where individuals might be more vulnerable to the threat of radicalisation and ‘overidentification with a group or ideology’ is one of them.

The tendency to easily identify can make you an ideal target for dangerous people who you may encounter online. These can include groomers, radicalisers and recruiters for extremist groups.

These individuals and groups prey on young people with this trait by appealing to your desire for a sense of belonging.

These individuals and groups will prey on your naivety and exploit your openness. They will promise you a shared vision and an opportunity to be a valued part of something.

This can be very tempting to an eager or trusting individual.

But these groups are dangerous, and it is important to realize that they do not value you. The perceive your eagerness as gullibility and wish to take advantage of you.

There is always someone better you could speak to.

Here are some tips to increase your self-esteem which will help you protect yourself from overidentifying with a group or ideology by building a stronger sense of individuality.

No.1 Be mindful. We can only fix something when we recognize what the problem is. As soon a s you find yourself going down a path of self-criticism, gently note what is happening. By becoming aware of our negative self-talk, we can distance ourselves from the feelings it brings up.

Keep in mind - these are thoughts, not facts.

No.2 Stop comparing yourself to others. Appearances are rarely what they seem.

Comparisons only lead to feelings of inadequacy.

Besides, just because someone else appears happy on social media or in person does not mean they are happy. Don’t waste energy on speculation, put the focus on yourself.

No.3 Appreciate your talents. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.

Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Recognize what your strengths are and the feelings of confidence they awaken, particularly in times of doubt.

DON’T LET ANYONE CONTROL YOU

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