Shelby Cook, LISW-S

How to Build Up Your Sense of Self-Worth

Image Text: How to Build Up Your Sense of Self-Worth

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When we think of self-worth, words like love, respect, and value with regard to our relationships with people, including family and friends, come to mind. However, self-worth can be defined as our evaluation of ourselves as loving, capable, and valuable beings who deserve respect and warmth. The factors determining your self-worth include personality traits, core values and beliefs, relationships, career, experiences, health and physical fitness, hobbies, social status, physical appearance, and financial position. A strong sense of self helps you understand what’s important to you, set boundaries, and reduce stress.

However, increasing your self-worth or self-esteem isn’t a one-day job. It requires time and understanding of yourself. To help you out, we have created a complete guide on how to build up your sense of self-worth. So, without delay, let’s teach you four ways to feel better about yourself.

1.    Define Your Values

Your personal beliefs and values play an integral role in molding your personality. Thus, the first step in building your self-worth is to recognize the things that matter the most to you and use them to determine where you stand on that issue. For instance, your desire to help the needy will lead you to work in community service and give food, money, and clothes to others. Strong values will also make it easier for you to set boundaries, positively affecting your future relationships.

2.    Spend Time with Yourself

When you want to get to know someone, what is the first thing that you do? Spend time with them alone. Similarly, how will you get to know yourself until and unless you spend quality time with yourself? Even though it might seem strange at first, take out some time from your busy routine to read books, volunteer, write a journal, or try new hobbies. The more you know yourself, the stronger your self-worth and self-esteem will be.

3.    Learn to Accept Compliments

When a person feels bad about themselves, it can be difficult to accept compliments, even when they need them the most. Therefore, the trickiest part to improving your self-worth is to be open to compliments and accept them no matter how unrealistic or uncomfortable they make you feel. One of the easiest ways to do this is to create a set of responses and use them to reply whenever someone gives you good feedback. For example, “Thank you for the kind words” or “Much appreciated.” Over time you will start feeling worthy of yourself, which will strengthen your sense of self.

4.   Introduce Self-Compassion and Eliminate Self- Criticism

The difference between your actual and ideal self greatly contributes to dissatisfaction and depression. Simply put, knowing that you are not the best version of yourself can make you feel like a failure. Start by making a list of your goals and a plan to achieve them. Whenever your inner self-critical monologue tries to break you, think about what a good friend would say to you in moments of hardship and talk to yourself. Doing so will make you feel worthy, loved, and accomplished.

Ending Words – Self-Worth Begins from Within!

In a world where everyone wants to take you down, having a sense of self-love and self-worth is essential. It can improve relationships and your overall emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Use the aforementioned strategies to improve your self-esteem and have a positive understanding of yourself. Remember that the only way to gain respect and love from others is to love, respect, and value yourself first.

Image Text: How to Build Up Your Sense of Self-Worth

Alt-Text: self-worth

Image Link: https://www.pexels.com/photo/you-are-worthy-of-love-signage-on-brown-wooden-post-taken-953162/

References

Healthline. (2019). What the Big Five Personality Traits Can Tell You. Retrieved from Healthline

https://www.healthline.com/health/big-five-personality-traits

Research Gate. (2016). Introduction to the Psychology of Self-esteem. Retrieved from Research Gate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311440256_Introduction_to_the_Psychology_of_self-esteem

SAGE Journals. (2003). Self-Esteem Maintenance Processes: Why Low Self-Esteem May Be Resistant to Change. Retrieved from SAGE Journals.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167203029007010