We can learn a powerful lesson from newborn babies. They trust that their needs will be met instinctively and without question. They eat when they’re hungry, sleep when they’re tired, and cry when they need comfort.

Babies come into the world fully aware of their right to be. It’s as natural to them as their breath. They don’t worry about what others think or judge themselves based on their abilities. They radiate an undeniable sense of worth. There’s no negotiating it. It simply is.

How We Lose Touch With Our Worthiness

As we grow up, we often lose touch with our inner knowing. It can become muddled and tangled until it eventually begins to wane. This is precisely when we start to doubt ourselves and our worth.

Then, the world begins to shape our perception, molding us with societal expectations, comparisons, and judgments. We begin to question our very selves and our place in the world, replacing trust with uncertainty and connection with isolation.

The result? We separate from our authenticity and start trying to live up to what we think we should be rather than who we truly are. We’re often left with a pervasive sense of low self-worth— the silent saboteur.

Low self-worth is subtle, almost unnoticeable at first. But its impact is far-reaching, seeping into every aspect of our lives—from our professional success to our relationships and our health and well-being. It compels us to put self-care and personal growth on the back burner, prioritizing others’ approval over our self-validation.

But what if we could reclaim that sense of worthiness and connection? What if we could rediscover our inner knowing and live life from a place of authenticity?

In this blog post, we’re going to explore the difference between self-worth and self-esteem, what’s at the core of low self-worth, and three practical steps to reconnect with your worth and empower yourself.

Let’s dive in!

What is the Difference Between Self-Worth and Self-Esteem?

The terms self-worth and self-esteem are often used interchangeably in daily conversations. Still, they represent distinct aspects of our self-perception.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the perception of ourselves at any given moment. It’s like a mirror that reflects our thoughts and feelings about ourselves back to us.

Our self-esteem can fluctuate based on internal factors such as our emotional state, our expectations of ourselves, and our self-confidence.

Self-esteem is also influenced by external factors, such as other people’s opinions, societal standards, and past experiences.

Because self-esteem fluctuates, it can be fragile and easily affected by outside influences. For example, receiving negative feedback or criticism can significantly impact our self-esteem and cause us to doubt our worth—sometimes temporarily, sometimes not.

How Do You Define Self-Worth?

On the flip side, self-worth is a deep understanding of our value as human beings. Our self-worth drives our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. It’s not dependent on external factors and remains consistent regardless of life’s ups and downs.

Self-worth is the sense of value and respect that we have for ourselves. It’s not something others can give or take away because it comes from within.

When we have a strong sense of self-worth, we can recognize our worthiness, treat ourselves with love and compassion, and make decisions that align with our values. This internal sense of worth is crucial for our mental health and emotional well-being.

Unlike self-esteem, which can fluctuate depending on what’s happening in our lives, self-worth is more stable and consistent. It’s like a sturdy tree, deeply rooted in our core, providing a solid foundation for our self-perception.

When we have a healthy sense of worth, we can move through challenges with resilience and confidence. We are also more likely to take risks, pursue our passions, and set healthy boundaries.

On the other hand, low self-worth can leave us feeling uncertain, defeated, and unable to cope. It can lead to negative thoughts and behaviors such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, and even self-sabotage.

Factors Influencing Self-Worth

Our self-worth belief system begins in the past, in a narrative woven by childhood experiences, family members, societal expectations, and cultural norms. 

Neglected praise, enduring trauma, the sting of bullying, or a lack of positive reinforcement can dim our sense of worthiness, leading us to believe we are not good enough.

As we grow older, these early beliefs can shape our behavior and how we perceive ourselves. The media, comparison culture, and societal pressures can also play a role in influencing our self-worth. Social media platforms often present unrealistic standards of beauty and success, leaving individuals feeling inadequate or unworthy.

The Impact of Self-Worth on Our Lives

Our self-worth influences every aspect of our lives – from the relationships we cultivate to the goals we set for ourselves. When we have a strong sense of self-worth,  we are more likely to make choices that align with our values and beliefs. We are also better equipped to handle challenges and setbacks, as we believe in our ability to overcome them.

On the other hand, low self-worth can have detrimental effects on our mental health and well-being. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even self-destructive behaviors. When we don’t believe in ourselves and our worth, we may struggle to maintain healthy boundaries or allow others to mistreat us.

However, it’s helpful to recognize that our self-worth is not dependent on these external factors. While they may contribute to our self-esteem, our self-worth goes much deeper. It is rooted in who we believe we are as individuals, and it’s up to each of us to tap into it, nurture it, and honor it.

Recognizing the external factors that may influence our sense of self-worth, like societal standards and expectations, can help us understand their impact. This understanding can empower us to take control of our self-perception to reclaim our worth.

What Causes Low Self-Worth?

Ultimately, low self-worth is a limiting belief system — a collection of false beliefs and assumptions about ourselves, created over time, that we’ve adopted as true and that have the power to influence every bit of our experience.

The thing about beliefs is that they’re stored in our unconscious minds, and most of them, especially the deep-rooted ones, are out of our awareness.

Our deep-rooted unconscious beliefs make the most impact on our lives. These beliefs can manifest in different ways, including feeling unworthy of love or success, constantly seeking validation from others, or struggling with imposter syndrome.

Low self-worth isn’t logical or rational; it stems from years of internalized negative thoughts, experiences, and societal feedback. We could be healthy, successful, wealthy, and still feel worthless.

At its core, low self-worth comes down to losing touch with our true selves and allowing a distorted self-perception to define our value. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and low self-esteem, all of which create barriers that hold us back from reaching our full potential and living fulfilling lives.

One of the main drivers of low self-worth is comparison. A lot of us compare ourselves to others and their achievements, appearance, and lifestyles. This constant comparison is a surefire way to feel inferior and creates a never-ending cycle of striving for perfection that leaves us feeling like we will never measure up.

We begin to see ourselves through the lens of others’ opinions, constantly seeking their approval and validation. And in the process, we lose sight of who we really are. We become prisoners of their expectations, judgments, and standards, which reinforces the false beliefs that created our low self-worth in the first place.

5 Benefits of Positive Self-Worth

Research shows that having a positive sense of self-worth can have numerous benefits in our lives, but none more important than those related to our self-perception. 

Here are 5 key benefits of cultivating healthy self-worth:

1. You believe you are good, worthy, and lovable, regardless of what’s happening in your life.
Positive self-worth instills a belief that you are inherently good, worthy, and lovable, irrespective of the challenges life throws your way. It strengthens your self-image and fosters self-acceptance, contributing significantly to your well-being and happiness. 

2. You accept and love yourself as you are, without conditions or exceptions.
A healthy sense of self-worth enables you to accept and love yourself unconditionally. It helps you recognize that you deserve love and respect despite any perceived flaws or imperfections. This acceptance encourages you to embrace your true self, increasing self-confidence, self-esteem, and fulfillment across all facets of your life.

3. You treat yourself with care, kindness, and respect.
When you possess a strong sense of self-worth, you prioritize your well-being. You comprehend the value of nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental health and treat yourself with the same compassion and kindness you’d show others. Such self-nurturing behavior can enhance happiness, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life.

4. You believe in your potential to grow, learn, change, and improve.
Positive self-worth fuels your confidence in your abilities and heightens your belief in your capacity to overcome challenges and achieve goals. It drives your motivation to learn and grow, fostering personal and professional development. With positive self-worth, you approach life with a growth mindset, viewing change as a catalyst for personal transformation.

5. You become more loving and compassionate and allow yourself to receive love, compassion, and support.
A healthy sense of worth allows you to cultivate loving and compassionate relationships. You’re able to give and receive love freely, without fear or insecurity, and you’re open to receiving support from those around you. This openness creates a positive and nurturing social environment, contributing to your well-being and happiness.

3 Simple Steps to Improve Self-Worth

In a world that often demands perfection, it can be challenging to remember your inherent worth. However, practicing self-worth is essential for personal growth, well-being, and achieving goals. 

Here are three simple steps you can take daily to increase your self-worth:

Step 1. Value Yourself

To value yourself is to understand that you’re inherently worthy. It means investing time, energy, and attention in self-care and acknowledging your strengths, skills, and abilities. When you value yourself, you naturally prioritize your needs and desires. This self-value strengthens your belief in yourself and influences how you treat yourself daily. To value yourself means knowing you deserve happiness, love, respect, success, and all good things.

To value yourself, start by taking time to pause and reflect.

• Focus on appreciating your strengths and qualities and your external successes.
• Respect your own feelings and opinions, even if they differ from others.
• Acknowledge your achievements and celebrate the small wins along the way. And while you’re at it, celebrate the big ones too!

Step 2. Practice Self-Compassion

Self-compassion is a powerful way to eradicate the effects of self-judgment, isolation, and even depression. It normalizes learning and, in doing so, supports the development of a growth mindset.  When you practice self-compassion, you acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes and struggles, which is entirely okay.

Self-compassionate people tend to be happier, healthier, and more satisfied. When it comes to success, research findings indicate that self-compassion increases motivation and leads to goal achievement by cultivating authenticity and self-efficacy while minimizing negative thoughts and self-doubt.

Practicing self-compassion means

• Acknowledging that you have the right to take up space in this world.
• Being kind to yourself, especially during challenging moments.
• Allowing yourself to learn from your mistakes without always having to atone for them.
• Doing your best and knowing that when you know better, you’ll do better.

Step 3. Practice Self-Responsibility

Taking full responsibility for your life is vital to enhancing your self-worth. While past mistakes and events may have shaped your self-worth belief system, blaming your past keeps you stuck in the past and prevents you from moving forward.

Taking responsibility means acknowledging that your thoughts, actions, and choices are within your control. This empowers you to make positive changes in your life and take ownership of your decisions.

Practicing self-responsibility means deciding that you’re in charge of your life and that, no matter what has happened to you, you are good person and have the power to create a new reality. This decision and your intentional action will help you establish the beliefs necessary to know you’re worthy of having the life you want.

To practice self-responsibility, make decisions that nurture your self-worth, like

• Only say yes to tasks that align with your values
• Invest time in activities that support your wellbeing
• Establish healthy boundaries with those around you
• Incorporate positive self-talk into your daily life

In Conclusion

It’s clear that self-worth is crucial to our overall well-being. Understanding the critical differences between self-worth and self-esteem and the impact of losing touch with our worthiness can make positive changes in our lives. 

Remember, your worth is not determined by external factors or others’ opinions, but rather it comes from within.

So take the first step towards improving your self-worth and download our free Self-Worth & Self-Love Meditation Audio. This audio will guide you through a powerful meditation to help you connect with your inner worth and practice self-love.

Ready to take the next step on your self-worth journey?

Then go ahead and download our FREE Stress Relief Guide. You may be wondering what stress relief has to do with self-worth, but the truth is, they are closely intertwined. When we have low self-worth, we often experience higher levels of stress and anxiety in our daily lives.

This guide will provide you with practical tools and techniques to help reduce your stress levels and increase your overall sense of self-worth.

Grab it here now!