Self-Worth Guide: How I Stop Seeking Validation From Others

Have you ever felt like you’re on a never-ending quest to seek approval from others? If your answer is yes, donโ€™t feel too bad about it. In fact, itโ€™s a natural thing we humans do when we donโ€™t heal completely from our past trauma.

Iโ€™ve been there many times myself, so I get you!

Many of us have been down that road. But guess what, your self-worth does not need a permission slip from anyone else.

Today, I want to share inspiring stories and real-world strategies that can be helpful to you to uplift your worth and values.

Itโ€™s time to ditch your validation-seeking habits and discover your inner powerhouse of worth.

So, grab your favorite drink and Iโ€™ll get my green tea, letโ€™s relax because weโ€™re going on a transformative adventure toward a more confident, self-assured you!

KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Challenge societal measures of self-worth by reflecting on your own values. This helps create a more authentic sense of self.
  • Adopt practical strategies like journaling and mindfulness to improve self-image. These tools can provide insights into your thoughts and behaviors.
  • Prioritize self-love to improve your relationships with others. A healthy love for yourself sets the foundation for meaningful connections.

What Is Self-Worth? 

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Self-worth is the way you see and give value to yourself. It is your personal stronghold that makes you invincible to other peopleโ€™s opinions. It is the core of your self-esteem that influences you on how you navigate your life.

I personally see self-worth as a deep-rooted love and appreciation you have for yourself. It is so deeply rooted that you need to work hard to tap it.

The process is not easy, but the respect, happiness, and fulfillment you will have are priceless, I promise.

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Cultivating self-worth is like giving yourself a pat on the back and reminding yourself that you are inherently valuable and worthy of all the good things this world has to offer.

Why Self-Worth Is Important?

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Self-worth is important because itโ€™s the primary foundation of how you build your life. The moment you value yourself, you will want nothing but the best for you and you will allow yourself to dream big, like scary big.

In my own journey, I have witnessed how transformative self-worth is in many peopleโ€™s lives. And so, Iโ€™m showing you a few reasons why loving yourself and knowing your worth should be a big deal in your life as well.

  • You become genuinely happier: The moment you have a sense of your real worth, youโ€™re happiness will not rely on other people anymore. You will not seek validation and comfort, because you already feel assured with your own. The joy that you have springs from within you. And Iโ€™m telling you right now that not being a slave to the opinions of others who donโ€™t matter, is a kind of freedom you cannot put a price on. 
  • Youโ€™re more driven and ambitious: The thing about self-worth is that it is like a fuel that will ignite the fire in you to dream big, like so big that it might scare you a bit but thatโ€™s okay. You will set your goals higher and push yourself out of your boundaries. It’s more important than ever if you’re a woman because knowing your worth as a woman will make you become your own cheerleader, and you will be more motivated to chase those big dreams.
  • You become more confident in making decisions: One thing about knowing your worth is that you also have a profound sense of trust in yourself. You trust your instincts, so, you will not second-guess the choices that you believe in. This kind of clarity in making decisions will lead you to choose better in any aspect of your life, including your career and relationships.
  • You donโ€™t easily give up: We all know that life is not always a smooth sail. It can get cruel at times. But when you know your worth and values, you will be able to easily bounce back. You have a new way of viewing life’s challenges and failures. Instead of seeing them as manifestations of what youโ€™re lacking, you see them as opportunities to grow and better yourself.
  • You form healthy relationships: Knowing your worth comes when you love yourself, and loving yourself means you will not allow toxicity in your space. You will not tolerate people who will cross your boundaries and will disrespect you. You will become a magnet that only attracts people who will uplift you and fill you with appreciation.

The Psychology Concept of Self-Worth

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Psychologists see the concept of self-worth as the overall sense of value or worth that a person attributes to themselves. Self-worth gives you the beliefs about yourself as well as emotional states and how those beliefs make you feel.

It’s an important component of emotional well-being and mental health, influencing various life aspects such as relationships, work, and coping with stress or challenges.

Without a solid foundation of self-worth, the other aspects of self-concept will be shaky.

Think of knowing your self-worth as the root of a tree that anchors all the other aspects of everything you let into your life. If the roots are weak and unhealthy, they will not be able to support your growth.

What Is the Self-Worth Theory?

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The Self-Worth Theory proposes that your main goal in life is to find the key to self-acceptance, which is usually found through your achievements. These achievements are often attained by competing with other people.

The theory has a model that holds four elements, which are:

  • Ability
  • Effort
  • Performance
  • Self-worth

All the elements interact with one another to determine your self-worth. Your effort and ability will have a big influence on your performance. They have a huge contribution to how you see your worth.

But remember, you donโ€™t have to โ€œwinโ€ against others, to have a sense of self-value. There are other factors that can help you in building self-worth.

What Determines Your Self-Worth?

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According to the self-worth theory, your self-worth is recognized mostly by your self-evaluated abilities and your performance in activities that you think are valuable.

But, other people use other factors to define their self-worth and they are:

  • Net worth: It is easy to equate self-worth to the monetary value a person rakes in. This factor can mean salary, assets, or any material things that are possessed. The higher the net worth is, the easier it is to be respected and be seen as worthy.
  • Social circle: Some define their worth or other peopleโ€™s worth by their social status and the social sphere they have. The more influential people they have in their circle, the more they value themselves.
  • Appearance: For some people, appearance equates to self-worth. The more good-looking and presentable you look, the more you see your worth. This factor can either be the number you see on the weighing scale, the size of clothing, or the attention you get from others.
  • Achievements: It is not surprising that we also define our self-worth by the achievements we attain. The more successful a person is, the more worthy you see that person. It can be any type of success, such as in business, in exams, in contests, or other challenges. A medal or a trophy is a tangible thing that people often use to measure self-worth.
  • Career: Sometimes, we judge others by what they do for a living. And more often than not, we have problematic views on this as dictated by society. For example, we consider a lawyer or a doctor to be more successful and worthy of respect, than a street sweeper or a janitor.

What Doesnโ€™t Determine Your Self-Worth?

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Author Stephanie Jade Wong (n.d.) has corrected some misperceptions about self-worth. She avoids listing factors of self-worth, but rather, she outlines the things that people should not use to determine their worth.

I love that idea and here they are for you to keep in mind:

  • Your job: What you do should not matter, as long as itโ€™s what you do best and gives you that sense of fulfillment.
  • Your to-do list: Crossing off a task on your list is fulfilling, but it should not define your worth. The lesser checks you make on your list should not mean you are less worthy. Your list does not have anything to do with you being a human.
  • Your social media following: In the world of social media and digital things, your worth should not be defined by the number of likes you get or the followers you have. Sure, it may give you a sense of validation but it really should not make a difference in how you see yourself. I mean, your photo with 3 likes or 3000 should not dictate your worth.
  • Your age: They say age is just a number. Your age has nothing to do with your worth as a human. Young or old, you are worthy of anything the world has to offer.
  • Other people: This goes without saying that other people have nothing to do with your worth. You are thriving in your lane, at your own pace. Your satisfaction is more important than other peopleโ€™s opinions.
  • How far you can run: This is one of the least essential factors that will dictate your worth. Your abilities do not influence your self-worth. If you love running, then keep doing it. Your worth will never be measured by your mile runtime.
  • Your grades: Ever heard about multiple intelligences? All of us have unique weaknesses and strengths, and most of the time, the present grading system fails to assess them correctly. Your grades should not bear any value and define you.
  • Amount of friends: The number of friends or connections you may have has no impact on your worth as a human. They say โ€œquality over quantityโ€, I can totally vet that for you because itโ€™s so freaking true! What matters most is that you are surrounded by friends who see you and appreciate you as you.
  • Your relationship status: Having a partner does not change your worth. Whether or not you are single, dating, or in a relationship, your value is the same. Your worth is only defined by you and not by the person you are seeing.
  • Money: Yes, money is essential in this world, but the lack of it does not have anything to do with your worth. You are worthy when you have a couple of hundred in your pocket. You are still worthy even when you have none.
  • Your likes: Your preferences in life should not matter in seeing your worth. People may not usually see eye-to-eye with your likes, but it does not mean that you are less worthy. Each of us has our distinct tastes and preferences. No one should dictate to us about that.
  • Anyone or anything but yourself: This is the core of self-worth. You are the only person in this world who can determine your self-worth. Whatever you think of yourself, it is you. You are what you think. If you think you are valuable and worthy of love and respect, then you are valuable and worthy of love and respect.

Factors That Influence Your Self-Worth

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The self-worth definition and concept have been challenged by many scholars and psychologists through time. Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist, defines self-worth as a dynamic, subjective concept that changes through time and can differ depending on many factors. 

According to her, the way you see yourself is a product of the complex interplay of different factors.

Below are factors that can influence how you value yourself:

  • Your core beliefs and values: When your actions, personal values, and beliefs align, your self-worth becomes better. Your Self-esteem improves when you live authentically as yourself, and when youโ€™re in harmony with your virtues.
  • Your thoughts and feelings: The way you think and react to everything thatโ€™s around you is a great influence on how you see your worth. That is why you must nurture healthy thoughts and banish your inner critic to avoid sabotaging yourself. Your inner cheerleader is the only friend you must allow in your head.
  • Your emotions and mental well-being: A sane mind is like a protector of your healthy sense of worth. It is proven time and again that your mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, negatively impact how you see your true worth. But that does not mean you cannot love yourself anymore. You just have to seek support to help you manage these hurdles and improve your self-esteem.
  • Your experiences and interactions with others: The connections you have with friends and your other social groups play an important role in your journey to knowing your worth. Positive and healthy friendships will help you see your real value, but toxic circles will ultimately diminish it.
  • Your relationships: Your heartaches and traumas from your past relationships will leave a mark on how you see yourself, as unfortunate as it may sound. Even if a relationship has already ended, the aftershocks of that relationship can still be felt. You will be marked with a stain, and sometimes, that stain has a great influence on your self-esteem.
  • Your health and physical fitness: A healthy body nurtures a healthy mindset. If you are in good shape, you are more confident to take on daily challenges. You will have great self-esteem that will allow you to see yourself for what you are truly worth.
  • Your career and profession: What you do for a living can influence you on how you see yourself. Of course, this is based on how society gives worth to a job. For example, lawyers and doctors get respect and admiration much easier than teachers or farmers.
  • Your activities and hobbies: The things you do every day can also affect your sense of worth. If you are constantly doing unhealthy activities, such as smoking and excessive drinking, it will destroy your body over time, until your body fails to properly function. As Iโ€™ve said before, health is a great influencer on how you see yourself. So, make sure to only be engaged in healthy hobbies or activities.
  • Your community and social status: Cultural and societal norms can shape your self-esteem. Values such as success criteria and beauty standards have a huge impact on how you value yourself. Some norms are worth adhering to to elevate your status in society. But a lot of these norms need to be challenged. As long as you donโ€™t hurt other people, you must live your life the way you want to.
  • Your financial position: Not only does money make the world go round, but it also makes a dent in your innate value. Salary, assets, material possessions, and savings can make you see yourself in a different light. A high financial asset will give you a sense of security, which will make it easy for you to see your true worth.
  • Your physical appearance: This is not a secret, but, as unfair as it may sound, the world tends to be kinder to people with conventionally attractive appearances. And when everyone around you is kind to you, it will be much easier for you to practice kindness to yourself.
  • Your childhood experiences: The experiences you have when you were just a kid, including your upbringing and family dynamics, have a great influence on your sense of worth. Love and support from family fosters healthy self-esteem, while trauma and neglect lower it.

What Are the Signs of Low Self-Worth?

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Signs of low self-esteem and worth, such as that nagging feeling of self-doubt and negativities, can sometimes sneak upon us. It is important to recognize these signs of self-worth issues so that you can turn things around as soon as possible.

Here are some of the signs that will help you identify if you are lacking self-worth in your life.

  • The way you criticize yourself: When you have a low sense of worth, you often speak harshly about yourself. You will let your inner critic speak to you and focus on your mistakes and flaws. You will highlight your imperfections instead of shining a light on the things that make you who you truly are.
  • You seek outside validation: When you see yourself as having little to no self-worth you tend to ask for validation from others, just so you can feel good about yourself. Approvals and praises from other people mean a lot to you and so, youโ€™re in a constant search for these.
  • You avoid challenges because you think youโ€™ll fail: Having a low sense of worth tends to make you avoid situations or opportunities that are challenging because of the fear of failing. You do not believe in your capabilities, and so you stay in your bubble where you are comfortable. But, when you recognize your true value, you donโ€™t say no to challenges and opportunities for growth.
  • You have a hard time setting boundaries: Difficulty in setting and maintaining healthy boundaries can also be a sign of you having a low sense of worth. You tolerate mistreatment and you feel that youโ€™re not worthy to be respected. And more often than not, this just leads to toxic and unhealthy connections.
  • You canโ€™t express your needs and wants openly: You have difficulty expressing your needs, wants, and opinions. Youโ€™re passive because you donโ€™t feel you deserve to have your voice heard. Remember that when you are on the journey of developing a healthier sense of worth, you do not need to do it alone. You can always seek support from other people.

Healthy Examples of Self-Worth

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I always think of us, people, to be connected with one another, that we are always interconnected by a thread of gold that links me to you, or you to me, in one way or another.

My personal stories are mine, just like yours are yours, but they all delve into the same triumphs and transformative moments that make us who we are today.

So, I am sharing some personal accounts of overcoming adversities and self-doubt. By sharing these stories, I hope you can celebrate your resilience and growth, and emerge into a person who really knows their true worth.

1. Jamesโ€™ Journey to Self-Worth

A friend, who for this retelling I will call James, had always been a perfectionist, constantly seeking validation through academic achievements and career success.

However, a major setback at work left him feeling like a failure. He realized that tying his self-worth to external accomplishments was taking a toll on his mental health.

James decided to seek therapy to explore his self-worth. Through counseling, he discovered that he had neglected his own well-being and inner passions. He began to pursue hobbies he had abandoned, such as painting and hiking, which brought him joy.

As he reconnected with his interests and practiced self-compassion, Jamesโ€™ self-worth shifted. He learned to appreciate himself for who he was, independent of his career achievements.

While he continued to excel professionally, his self-worth was no longer solely reliant on it. Jamesโ€™ journey taught him the importance of a balanced life and self-love.

2. Bettyโ€™s Transformation

Betty had spent most of her life as a people-pleaser, always seeking validation and approval from others. She often found herself in situations where she sacrificed her own needs to make others happy. It took a toll on her self-esteem and left her feeling unfulfilled.

One day, Betty decided it was time for a change. She embarked on a journey of self-discovery, attending workshops on assertiveness and communication. She started setting boundaries and saying “no” when necessary, even if it meant disappointing others.

As Betty gradually shifted her focus from seeking external approval to valuing her own opinions and needs, she noticed a profound transformation. She began to lead with confidence at work and in her personal life, earning the respect of colleagues and friends.

Bettyโ€™s story illustrates how breaking free from the need for external validation can lead to healthier self-worth and the ability to assert oneself confidently.

Her journey reminds us that true self-worth starts from within and can be cultivated through self-awareness and self-empowerment.

3. Daleโ€™s Journey to Self-Love

Dale has gained a lot of weight since the pandemic, and he has been struggling with his body image since then. He constantly compares his present self to his younger self, who is lean, healthier, and fits societal beauty standards.

Eventually, he loses his confidence. He couldnโ€™t go outside without feeling this sense of shame because of his thicker thighs and arms. He allowed the lack of self-worth to consume him until it became unhealthy and affected his daily activities.

One day, he realized that his worth should not be tied by the way he looks or the size of his shirt. He was loved by his family and partner no matter his appearance, and that alone are good reason for him to embrace his body and practice self-compassion.

Over time, he developed a healthier sense of self-worth. He now understands that his body will undergo many changes in his lifetime, and has become body-positive.

Today, he radiates confidence. He also started his fitness journey. But, heโ€™s wiser now and will not tie his self-worth again to the numbers on the weighing scale.

How to Find Self-Love in All Areas of Your Life?

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Infusing self-love into every nook and cranny of your life will motivate you to prioritize your well-being and the happiness of the person that youโ€™ll have the most important relationship with, yes, itโ€™s you.

So, here are my three powerful ways, though they are small steps, I truly believe they will have you to love yourself more.

  • Be kind and gentle with yourself: The journey of loving yourself begins with being kind and understanding with yourself. Treat yourself the way you would to a close friend. Tell yourself positive affirmations and highlight your strengths rather than your weaknesses.
  • Have uncompromised boundaries: The way to self-love involves setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in your relationships and commitments. Learn to say โ€œnoโ€ when something does not make sense to your values or when it is not inherently good for your well-being. You must prioritize yourself, over anyone else.
  • Make sure to create your personal self-care routine: There will be no self-love if you do not care for yourself. Make time to do activities that nourish you holistically. Run a mile, walk with your dog, learn how to crochet, get that well-deserved massage and spa, or just lay down and do nothing.

Why Self-Worth Is So Important in Relationships?

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Self-worth is important in relationships because it helps you establish healthy boundaries, promotes mutual respect, contributes to effective communication, influences the choice of a suitable partner, and improves your emotional well-being for both you and your partner.

I always visualize relationships as a precious garden, filled with unique flowers and shrubs, and self-worth is the soil that supports the growth and development of these plants. We all know that without healthy soil, nothing can really grow.

There are things women who value their self-worth do differently in relationships and I encourage you to consider that when getting into a romantic relationship.

When we donโ€™t see our true value, we often seek validation and rely on our happiness from other people. It is like expecting them to provide water and light for a garden. It can put a lot of pressure on other people and can make a relationship suffocating.

Remember that you should not make another person your main source of happiness and self-esteem.

Plus, a low sense of worth often leads easily to jealousy and insecurities. These two are like weeds in a garden that compete with your beautiful plants. If you are in a romantic relationship, doubts will creep in and youโ€™ll be having that constant fear that your partner will find someone else better.

You will project your insecurities to your partner, and this will surely dent your relationship. It will erode trust and create a constant tension.

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In any kind of relationship, setting boundaries is important. It is like putting up a fence to protect you from trampling and abuse. But, if you donโ€™t see your true worth, you might have a hard time setting these boundaries, or worse, you will not feel the need to set them up.

When this happens, you might fall into becoming too passive and not do something whenever your partner crosses the lines. Ultimately, you might lose yourself and your identity in this relationship.

Basically, what I am trying to say here is that knowing your worth allows any kind of relationship that you have to thrive and weather any storms that will come.

Without you recognizing the gem that you are, it might be difficult for you to sustain the love and happiness to keep the relationship going.

What Is the Self-Worth Scale?

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The Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale (CSWS) is a tool made to assess the different sources or domains on which your self-worth depends. In other words, it helps identify the specific areas in which your self-esteem is most influenced.

This scale is used in social psychology research to understand how you derive self-esteem from different aspects of your life.

This typically includes items related to different domains or sources of self-worth, which include the following:

  • Academic Competence
  • Appearance
  • Approval from Others
  • Family Support
  • Competence in Competition
  • Virtue and Morality
  • God’s Love or Religious Faith

This scale is like a compass that allows us to know where our self-esteem usually comes from. This will help you figure out what matters to you and how these things affect how you see yourself.

You can also visualize the scale as a toolkit with various tools representing the seven domains. When you use this toolkit, you can see which tools you mostly rely on to boost your self-esteem, and consequently, the way you value yourself.

For example, if your kit leans so much on โ€œacademic successโ€, it is highly likely that you feel the most fantastic when you perfect an exam, but you feel the most down when you donโ€™t.

If the biggest tool for you is โ€œapproval from othersโ€, you might also constantly seek validation from people around you.

The scale can be overwhelming but there is nothing to be intimidated by it. Think of this as a shining light on the specific areas you may need to give attention to for you to feel better about yourself.

How to Build Self-Worth and Value Yourself More?

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The journey of building self-worth is a journey that involves knowing who you are and accepting you for what you truly are. There is no one answer to the question of how to have self-worth. It is a lifelong commitment that requires you to be patient and dedicated.

Although your journey is unique and different from mine, the challenges you will meet are, more or less, the same as mine.

So, here are my five tips to help you get started:

  • Prioritize your well-being: You will see later on that self-worth is directly tied to self-care. So, make sure you give importance to your physical and mental well-being. Eat healthy food, exercise, get enough rest, and do the things that make you feel relaxed and happy. When you take good care of yourself, you are saying to your subconscious that you are worth all the effort and hassle.
  • Always move forward and set achievable goals: You donโ€™t need to make big leaps always. Start with small goals, as long as they are aligned with your virtues and interests. Each success, no matter how big or small, is a great contribution to your self-esteem. Every time you finish a goal, youโ€™ll have a sense of accomplishment and competence. You will believe that you are capable. And as you achieve more, your self-worth grows.
  • Surround Yourself with like-minded people: You may not notice it at first, but your environment has a great effect on shaping your self-worth. You cannot grow if you are in a toxic environment. So, surround yourself with supportive people who will never tire of encouraging you. Stay away from people who donโ€™t know anything aside from criticizing and spreading negativities. They will not do you any good.
  • Donโ€™t trust everything your mind tells you: It is very easy to succumb to your inner critic and believe in whatever it says. But you must always challenge these thoughts and ask yourself if they are based on facts, or if they are simply your self-doubt talking. These negative thoughts undermine your true worth, and so, whenever your inner critic starts whispering words, try to ignore them. Replace this with positive affirmations and think about all the times that you demonstrated your capabilities.
  • Take time to be alone and practice self-reflection: Introspection and journalling are good for building self-worth and discovering oneโ€™s self. Have the time to reflect on your values, strengths, and things that make you amazingly unique. You will see for yourself how amazing of a person you are! Write down your accomplishments, compliments, and moments of personal growth. When you review these positive aspects of yourself, you’ll reinforce your self-worth.
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Remember, finding self-worth is a process. Be patient with yourself, and celebrate each step you take towards a stronger sense of self. You are inherently valuable, and by practicing self-compassion and self-acceptance, you’ll gradually realize your true worth.

Self-Worth Mantra You Can Use to Silence Self-Doubt

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I know not every day is a sunny day. There are cloudy days, every now and then, when we donโ€™t believe in ourselves and in everything that we are capable of doing.

But ever since I believed in the power of words, I have yielded this power to make me believe in myself and overcome self-doubt.

Here are my five go-to mantras that helped me turn blue days around and pursue my goals with confidence:

  • I am capable and resilient.
  • I welcome failures in my life as they are a stepping stone to success.
  • I believe in myself and my potential.
  • I take one step at a time and trust the process.
  • I am in control of my thoughts and actions.

These mantras help me when I feel like I have no self-worth. They serve as my reminders to stay resilient, maintain self-belief, and push through moments of self-doubt.

I hope this works for you too!

Best Self-Worth Books to Transform Your Perspective in Life

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Below are some of the self-worth books you can start with.

  • “The Gifts of Imperfection” explores the transformative power of embracing one’s authentic self by Brenรฉ Brown.
  • “The Confidence Gap” delves into the psychological barriers that hinder self-confidence and offers practical strategies to overcome them by Russ Harris.
  • “The Art of Possibility” is a transformative guide to reshaping your mindset and embracing limitless opportunities by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.
  • “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” empowers you to conquer anxiety and embrace life’s challenges by Susan Jeffers.
  • “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” offers a refreshing perspective on personal growth and happiness by Mark Manson.

TED Talks You Must Watch to Truly Understand Self-Worth

If you like to watch more than you read, below are some of the great TED Talks I encourage you to check them out and see what you can learn from the experts on how to boost your worth and values.

TED Talk: Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth | Adia Gooden

YouTube video

When you demand perfection of yourself, anything less can feel like you’re a failure. Adia Gooden knows this from her own experience. She works as a staff psychologist at the University of Chicago where she learned from her own life experience how to silence her inner critics and live happier. You can see her lessons in this Ted Talk.

TED Talk: Self Worth Theory: The Key to Understanding & Overcoming Procrastination | Nic Voge

YouTube video

Are you aware that approximately 80% of college students admitted that procrastination is a significant challenge for them? It’s not just about being “lazy,” nor can it be resolved by merely improving time management skills.

What if procrastination serves as an effective mechanism for self-preservation, explaining why we keep doing it? In this presentation, Nic dives deep into the complex motivational factors that often result in disengagement and burnout, specifically when it comes to procrastination.

Drawing from 20 years of experience in coaching students, Nic presents the self-worth theory of motivation as an evidence-based framework for comprehending and tackling procrastination, avoidance, and over-commitment.

TED Talk: Changing Perspective from Shame to Self-worth | Sue Bryce

YouTube video

When you lift a camera to your eye and peer through its lens at the person in front of you, their fragilities become evident.

Sue Bryce, who went from being a high-school dropout to a sought-after portrait photographer and creator of The Sue Bryce Education Library, discusses her transformation from viewing herself through a lens of shame to one of self-worth.

15 Self-Worth Quotes to Navigate Life’s Challenges With Grace

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Below are some of my favorite know your worth quotes that I kept close as a reminder when things get a little bit shaky for me and I need to keep moving forward.

1. “To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” – Denis Waitley

2. “Our self-respect tracks our choices. Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self and our heart, we earn our respect.” – Brenรฉ Brown

3. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Sharon Salzberg

4. “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust is not on the branch but on its wings.” – Mandy Hale

5. “Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have.” – Jane Travis

6. “Self-worth is everything. It’s the backbone of how we treat ourselves and how we let others treat us.” – Nicole Scherzinger

7. “The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I’m not going to let myself pull me down anymore.” – Celine Dion

8. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – Jennifer Aniston

9. “A strong woman understands that gifts such as logic, decisiveness, and strength are just as feminine as intuition and emotional connection.” – Nancy Rathburn

10. “Know what your worth is, and then add tax to that amount.” – Shemika Charles

11. “Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. Trust your instincts, do go with your gut.” – Oprah Winfrey

12. “I am my best work โ€” a series of road maps, reports, recipes, doodles, and prayers from the front lines.” – Audre Lorde

13. “There’s fire in her. If loved correctly, she will warm your entire home. If abused, she will burn it down.” – Ruby Dhal

14. “The question isnโ€™t whoโ€™s going to let me; itโ€™s whoโ€™s going to stop me.” – Ayn Rand

15. “The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others.” – Sonya Friedman

Only You Can Define Your Worth!

Always remember that your worth is like a brilliant gem that has been inside you all this time, waiting to shine. You donโ€™t need others to flash a light for you to make it sparkle. You are enough.

The insights and stories in this guide have shown you that only by loving and embracing who you are and by being kind to yourself, you can break free from the trap and bask in your own radiant light.

So, I hope that as you continue on your journey toward a better you, you keep these lessons close to heart. You truly got this! Your worth is an unwavering flame thatโ€™s yours to nurture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to fix low self-worth?

You might consider cognitive behavioral therapy or self-help techniques to challenge negative thought patterns, and engage in activities that build competence and self-esteem.

How to help someone with low self-worth?

To help someone with low self-worth, you can offer empathetic support and encourage them to seek professional help like counseling or life coaching for more targeted assistance.

How to deal with your self-worth issues?

To manage your self-worth issues, identify the underlying causes and work through them with the help of a qualified therapist or through self-help resources.

What to do when you have no self-worth?

If you feel you have no self-worth, it’s important to seek professional help immediately, such as speaking to a counselor or a trusted healthcare provider.

How to recognize your self-worth?

To recognize your self-worth, focus on your achievements, however small, and consult those who genuinely value and support you to help validate your self-assessment.

How to work on your self-worth issues?

To work on your self-worth issues, create an action plan that includes your achievable goals, self-affirmations, and consistent self-reflection, possibly with the help of a trusted friend or therapist.

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