What does self-image refer to?

Self-image refers to how you see yourself, encompassing your beliefs, thoughts, and perceptions about your own identity, abilities, and worth. It is a core aspect of your personal psychology that influences how you think, feel, and behave in various situations. This self-perception can be affected by several factors, including experiences, feedback from others, and personal reflections.

While how much you value yourself is related to self-esteem and can impact self-image, it is not the same concept. The way others perceive you pertains to external perceptions and does not directly reflect your personal view of yourself. Aspirations for the future are forward-looking ambitions and goals, which do not define how one sees their current self. Thus, the focus on one's internal perspective and understanding of their identity makes "how you see yourself" the accurate depiction of self-image.