I haven’t always had the best relationships with men.
Years ago I had an epiphany. I remember asking myself – why does such and such (best to leave out names) treat me like this?
At that moment, the answer was painfully obvious and hit me like a lightning bolt.
Because I let him.
This realization was quite a bitter pill to swallow at first. I realized I had accepted sub-standard behavior in my earlier relationships because I did not know my own worth.
Now I am aware of my earlier actions, I see similar behavior all the time in other people, particularly in women. People who go back to or stay in bad relationships, instead of walking away.
If you don’t know your own worth, you let people treat you badly. You allow them to take advantage of you.
This doesn’t just apply to romantic relationships; it can also apply to parents, families, friends, and work.
If you let people constantly walk all over you or treat you with less respect than you deserve, that is exactly what some of them will continue to do, simply because they can.
How can you get a better appreciation of your own worth? Let’s get started!
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Recognize that you need help
The first thing to realize is that you need help with your self-worth.
This stage is important, as so many people don’t examine their own behavior. Instead, they are fixated on the actions of other people.
Because of this, they often go from one disaster or crisis to another. It’s like watching a train wreck. Unfortunately, the train wreck happens to be someone’s LIFE. Remember we only get one.
You can’t work on improving your self-worth if you do not recognize that there is a need for growth and change in the first place.
Need help getting your self-doubt under control? Take a look at the CreativeLive online course How to Break the Habit of Self-Doubt and Build Real Confidence by the amazing Mel Robbins.
Read my review on why I loved this course and what you can get out of it.
Work on what you see in the mirror
I am not talking about your external looks. You can be a beautiful person on the outside, yet feel ugly and worthless on the inside.
In this case, I’m talking about what you see when you look at yourself.
Do you see someone with integrity, someone who values themselves, someone who deserves love, someone who deserves to be treated with respect?
If the answer is no then you need to work on improving your self-worth.
A major part of this is your self-talk. It is important to watch and monitor the way you talk to yourself. By talking, I mean that internal voice in your head. The one that is often negative and sometimes downright abusive.
Strive towards that voice being a positive influence in your life. Be aware of negative self-talk and replace it with positive insights.
More know your own worth content –
- Don’t Let Anyone Else Define Your Worth
- Know Your Own Beauty
- Know Your Worth – 10 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself
- 20 Know Your Worth Quotes to Increase Your Self-Worth
- Know Your Own Worth – Even When it Feels Like the World Doesn’t Quite Agree with You
Realize how strong you are
A lot of people do not know their own strengths. Are you even aware of the strength you possess?
Make up a detailed list of your strengths. For now, do not concentrate on your weaknesses.
List all of the times you have overcome adversity, learned from the experience, and come out a better, wiser person.
Related post – Know Your Own Strength
Set boundaries
Some people may not be treating you badly, they simply have undefined boundaries.
Setting boundaries can be off-putting for some people, as they see it as having a set of rules. They see these rules as limiting.
Yet setting boundaries can have the opposite effect – they can set you free.
Be clear in communicating with people about what you will and will not tolerate. Reinforcement of a boundary is also important. If you are inconsistent with your message, the other person may be confused about your expectations.
Related post – The Importance of Setting Boundaries
Give yourself the love you need
We always seem to be seeking outside validation when it comes to love. How about doing some work on the greatest love you will ever have in your life?
YOU.
Your most important relationship is the one you have with yourself.
What defines self-love? I’m not talking about the ego-driven way we sometimes brag about ourselves or how we falsely talk ourselves up to other people when we are nervous or lacking in confidence.
I mean the real love we have for ourselves.
The core of ourselves that knows we deserve love and respect from the people in our lives; the part of us that loves and respects people in return.
Know your own worth
Since I have become more comfortable in my own skin, I have become more of an introvert. I enjoy my own company.
While I love spending time with family and friends, I don’t need outside validation for my sense of self-worth.
I’m sure we have all met people who can’t stand to be alone. Just to be clear, being a social person and enjoying the company of others is different from not being able to be alone.
In my opinion, people who can’t be alone for even short periods of time, do not like themselves very much. They can’t stand their own company. The negative voices in their head drive them to seek out other people’s company for external validation.
You can’t run away from yourself. It’s time to become your own best friend.
Related post – Stop Waiting for Acceptance – Accept Yourself
Know your own worth. Give yourself the love and acceptance you deserve and watch the quality of your life improve.
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Read Next – 12 Things to Remember When You Feel Not Good Enough
Thea,
Super post! The world is a mirror image of what we think, subconsciously, of ourselves. You offer some great ideas of how to improve our self image. A lot of times we don’t realize at a subconscious level what programs we have running that are keeping us from having great relationships.
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Karen
Thank you for commenting. I particularly like the way you phrased that – the world is a mirror image of what we think of ourselves. Very thought provoking.
Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you again soon.
Cheers
Thea
Why do so many women in our society never realize any of this? Everyone reads this post by THEA….and they all praise her. But since I’m a guy…when I try to explain this stuff to women…I get bashed for it. I just dont get why a woman has to be trampled on before she sees the light….why dont more women wise up before it happens to them?
That was absolutely beautiful! It seems like something that you would assume most women (and men) would know, but it’s actually a serious topic that a lot of people don’t seem to understand. It really pains me to see women not understand their self-worth and allow others to take advantage of them and treat them poorly. More women need to stop listening to society’s expectations of women, and just branch off and be themselves.