You either grow or regress. Nothing stands still. High self-esteem can only come from moral productivity and achievement. The source of lasting happiness can never come from outside yourself through consuming values - but only from within yourself by producing values. If your purpose of life is security, you will be a failure.
Security is the lowest form of happiness.
Life operates in reverse action to entropy. Therefore the universe is hostile to life. Progress is a continued effort to swim against the stream. Constantly strive to increase order and discipline in your life. Discipline usually means doing the opposite of what you feel like doing.