All of us desire the joy of feeling good about ourselves. However, what happens when our belief in our worth is undermined? Can low self-worth affect our relationships with ourselves and with others?
Understanding Self-Worth
Self-worth isn’t just about feeling good; emotions, thoughts, and a sense of spiritual connectedness are all important components of self-worth. It is molded by our fundamental self-beliefs and life experiences. It’s similar to assembling a puzzle in which every piece completes the exquisite picture of the person you are.
It plays a big role in how satisfied we are in a relationship.
Relationship Dynamics
Despite their apparent differences, relationships and self-worth are closely intertwined. The quality of our connections is an indicator of our self-worth.
Not only romantic relationships but also those with family and friends influence how we feel about ourselves.
Each relationship aims to make the other person feel respected, protected, and supported. In closer relationships, like the romantic kind, there’s an extra layer. We all want emotional care—to feel wanted, accepted just as we are, and loved without conditions. Being part of something special makes us feel connected and not alone.
Doesn’t everyone want that?
When our connections make us feel seen, understood, and valued, our sense of self-worth benefits. So, you see, relationships and self-worth do go hand in hand.
Impact of Self-Worth on Relationships
Our relationships can be significantly impacted by our sense of self-worth, or how much we respect and believe in ourselves.
Poor self-esteem often impacts relationships.
Let’s look at some of the common impacts of low self-worth on relationships:
Low self-worth breeds insecurity in relationships. We may constantly seek validation from our partner, needing constant reassurance that we are loved.
We may also become jealous more easily and anxious about our partner leaving us for someone better.
A lack of self-worth damages open and assertive communication. We may avoid expressing our true needs or feelings out of fear of rocking the boat. Or we may become passive-aggressive rather than discuss issues.
With low self-esteem, we compromise our values and boundaries too much to appease our partner. We minimise our own needs because we don’t feel worthy of having them met.
It’s been observed that people with poor self-worth are more likely to remain in unhappy relationships for a longer period of time than others.
In trying to win our partner’s approval and love, we lose touch with our passions and interests. We mold ourselves to what they want rather than being true to ourselves.
Low self-worth can cause us to idealise partners and ignore red flags. You may stay in bad relationships longer, thinking you can’t do better.
Lower self-esteem makes us more emotionally reactive with partners. Small issues trigger oversized reactions.
On the flip side, a strong sense of self-worth allows us to communicate assertively, set boundaries, maintain identity in relationships, and recognize when a dynamic is unhealthy. The value we place on ourselves is reflected in our connections.
Boosting our self-esteem can profoundly improve our relationships.
Why self-worth important?
Experts say healthy self-esteem provides a foundation for emotional well-being and productive lives. People who esteem themselves are better equipped to cope with hardships, express their needs, realize their full potential, and build meaningful connections.
Psychologists emphasise self-worth because how we judge our worth permeates nearly everything we do.
It filters our perceptions, priorities, motivations, compassion, resiliency, and vision for what we deserve. When self-worth is skewed negatively, we operate from a place of insecurity, self-criticism, and fear.
But when self-worth is healthy, we act with greater confidence, emotional intelligence, and belief in ourselves and others.
Though shaped in childhood, self-esteem can be improved through self-care practices, therapy, Relationship Coach, building self-awareness, cultivating empathy, correcting distorted thoughts, practicing self-love and gratitude, taking risks, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people.
Making this inner work a priority gives us the foundation to create the relationships, well-being, and lives we truly want.
How can we improve our Relationships and self-worth?
Now we know all about how low self-esteem can drag down our connections, while healthy self-worth enhances them.
I hope hearing what the expert says motivates you to start cultivating more self-love and positive beliefs about yourself. I know it’s not always easy! But you are worth the effort.
Your inner critic is lying; you are intelligent, attractive, and interesting enough. Speak to yourself with the kindness and respect you’ve shown to someone else.
You deserve it!
Remember to appreciate all of the wonderful traits that make us who we are! List the qualities, abilities, values, and characteristics that define you. Reflect on your hopes and dreams. What do you appreciate about yourself? How have you overcome challenges? Hold onto all of this proof of your inherent worth.
The goal is not just any relationship, but one where we feel seen, appreciated, and able to grow.
When our self-worth shines from within, we’ll attract people who respect our light. And we’ll have so much more to give them in return.
This cycle of love feeds itself when it starts from a place of valuing YOU.
