Mar 19 2009
Interview with Dorothy L. of Womensselfesteem.com
Women in Twelve Step programs for alcoholism, addiction, eating disorders, and co-dependency face self-esteem issues in recovery.
Dorothy L. is the founder and site manager of Womensselfesteem.com. Born in Canada where she raised her children and ran a business for 23 years, Dorothy migrated to Florida to continue her life and enjoy the tropics. Overcoming personal struggles with low self-esteem developed Dorothy’s character and made her an independent woman.
After extensive research on how the female body differs from the male body, Dorothy compiled her research in one place and created an online community where women can find solutions and support for self-esteem issues and learn how to develop self-confidence.
Dorothy says:
My goal is to simply put a smile on your face, add a little sunshine to your day, and help you find the strength to deal with your fears and tackle your weaknesses, but most importantly to help you find the goodness that is inside of you, so that you can live a peaceful, more confident and happy life.”
Dorothy manages two forums and a chat room for WOMEN ONLY to help with low self-esteem and build self-confidence:
Women’s Self Esteem Forum is a place where women help women build self-esteem and confidence. Issues addressed are jealousy, sexual relations, low self esteem, effects of abuse, health, pornography, relationships, weight, nutrition, motivational music and much more. Membership is free.
Women’s Self-esteem Chat Room is also a place where women help women build self-esteem and confidence through either one-on-one chats or group chat. It is full of fun and relaxation!
Healthy Living Women’s Self-Esteem Forum covers healthy living ideas that build self-esteem and self-confidence. Topics include effective exercise no matter what your physical shape or age, preparing healthy meals, comparing popular diets, and self-improvement. Membership is free.
Dorothy also writes a newsletter on Women’s Self-esteem, reviews books on self-help and self-esteem, and is an EzineArticles.com Expert Author on self-esteem and women’s issues.
An interview with Dorothy L.:
What motivated you to found and develop an online community focus on women’s self-esteem?
My motivation came from my own search for answers to the crazy emotional turmoils I myself was challenged with every day. I am a person of control & self-discipline so for me to have to admit that I could not control my insecurities was just not acceptable. Hence the research and studies for the past 6 years that I have been involved with in depth.
Who better to advise a person on emotional insecurities than one that has been there and overcome it?
What re-occurring themes do you see women seeking help for? How does participating in your forums help?
I feel that most women lose their stability when they have had a emotional bad day or they are faced with a negative situation that comes without any warning …I call that ‘falling back’. It sounds easy enough to fix but it is not. The feeling of guilt and failure will bring a women crashing down in a split second. It can take her months of persistent and repeated self-talk to get her back up again. Teaching women that it is not falling back that matters…it is whether or not they will get back up that will infact make the difference is a definite re-occurring strategy used in my forum. My forum acts as a support net. Women will come into my forum broken and feeling hopeless..they will leave feeling strong and confident. Some women never leave..it is like a second home. A place of trust and security. Some would call it a crutch…I call it needed support. It is a place filled with non-judgmental voices, laughter and a lot of hugs. You will meet women there from all over the world and no matter what their culture is we are all in the end of the day equal as women.
How can women in recovery from alcoholism, addiction, and eating disorders develop self esteem?
Aside from this book review that I wrote in regards to regaining confidence…in any situation where a person is recovering from an addiction..it is vital that they surround themselves with as much positive elements as they can. By this I mean posters with positive affirmations, articles, books about learning to love yourself, cleanliness, music, movies, most definitely people and social hangouts. Everything negative from their old world must be redirected or changed towards a more positive world. A very harsh but effective phrase I use is this, “If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with flees”. It is fact…once you turn a page in the chapter of your book of life, you keep moving forward.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to women in recovery?
Positive thinking is a key to strengthening confidence and self-acceptance. It is also a lot less draining to think positive that it is to think negative. When one thinks positive…there is no guilt or remorse to deal with! Knowing your boundaries is vital to your continuing strive in staying strong. Learning control of your own inner feelings and needs. Know that it is all in your control if you want it to be. Learn to walk away, learn to ask for help and most of all find support no matter what. Learn to appreciate what you have as opposed to what you do not!
Articles by Dorothy L.:
Understanding Low Self-esteem
Do You Have the ME Habit?
Forgiveness is the Key to Personal Freedom
Dorothy L’s Blog Stops:
http://selfesteemblogforwomen.blogspot.com/
http://www.justblogme.com/dorothy
Contact information:
Thank you Dorothy L for sharing your expertise on self-esteem and building self-confidence. All the best with your online community of women helping women.
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Roxie
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