How to improve self-worth is an important question that you might ask yourself when reflecting on past experiences or recurring situations. If you ever wondered why you tend to put others first, even when it doesn’t feel right, or why your voice seems to get lost, even when you’re sure of your point, this article is for you. It will give you some insight into how to improve self-worth and confidence through a simple daily practice.
Maybe there was a time you didn’t say “no” to be convenient for someone but not for yourself. Or perhaps you struggled to bring your point across, even though it was right from the beginning on. These situations might repeat themselves over and over until you start looking at a deeper level, your self-worth.
This sounds very familiar to me too. I often found myself in these situations. Only after reflecting and understanding what was really happening, I started prioritizing my boundaries and slowly improving my self-worth. And now, I’m very excited to share what helped me the most, especially the daily exercise that quickly boosted my mood and worked wonders for my self-worth.
What Is Self-Worth?
Self-worth is based on your beliefs about yourself and how worthy of love, care, respect, and happiness you are. It influences all areas of your life: how you view yourself, how you interact with others, and how you navigate everyday challenges.
These beliefs can be both conscious and subconscious. All of them shape your sense of worth, doesn’t matter if you are aware of them or not. They can be supportive and uplifting or limiting and self-doubting. Often, these beliefs stem from early life experiences, parents, or caregivers, they can also be reinforced by repeating life situations. The good news is that it’s always possible to become more mindful of these underlying beliefs and work to reshape the ones that do not serve you.
Why Is Self-Worth Important?
Your sense of self-worth shapes your thoughts, actions, and overall happiness. Instead of focusing on your flaws, recognize your worth and you will more likely build confidence, create healthy boundaries, and approach life with resilience.
Therefore, healthy self-worth is essential for living a fulfilled life and achieving your goals.
Signs of Low Self-Worth
If you struggle with self-worth, you may experience experience difficulties in various areas of your life. The following examples highlight some negative outcomes of low self-worth.
- Constant self-doubt and negative self-talk
- Fear of failure or rejection which stops you from perceiving your goals
- Difficulty setting boundaries when dealing with others
- Seeking validation from others
- Comparing yourself to others frequently
If you frequently experience one or more signs described above it might be worth understanding what exactly is causing this in the first place. In which situations and with whom do you tend to experience these situations? Start by noticing these situations. Even reflecting on these experiences after they happen will be valuable and give you new insights. As you do this more and more and your awareness increases, you’ll begin to notice these patterns as they occur—and eventually, you’ll be able to form new, more empowering behavior.
Tips on How to Improve Self-Worth
Building and improving self-worth is not a quick fix, instead, it is a constant process. Therefore prioritize steady and small improvements at a time to achieve your goal of improving your self-worth.
Tip 1: Challenge Negative Self-Talk
Repeating negative thoughts can be incredibly harmful to your self-perception. To break the cycle, use the three-second rule: as soon as a negative or intrusive thought appears in your mind, notice it within the first three seconds, and consciously shift your focus to something pleasant instead. Over time, you will be able to form healthier thought patterns and cultivate a more positive mindset. Moreover, numerous studies have shown that practicing positive thinking can significantly improve your life quality, for instance, by reducing anxiety and excessive worry.
Tip 2: Practice Self-Compassion
Get into the habit of speaking to yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would to a good friend. No matter what’s happening, be always on your side. Use kind words and avoid blaming yourself in case something goes wrong.
Tip 3: Set Healthy Boundaries
Learn to say no to what doesn’t serve you. Remember, only when you are the first person in your life can you truly care for others. Putting yourself first isn’t selfish or egoistic—it simply means honoring your needs and values without disrespecting others. In fact, setting these healthy boundaries creates a nurturing ground for authentic relationships.
Tip 4: Surround Yourself with Supporting People
You’ve probably already noticed how much your closest relationships and the people you interact with the most impact your self-worth. Therefore, spend time with people who support and accept you as you are. At the same time, distance yourself from relationships that constantly diminish your confidence and drain your energy.
Tip 5: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to others is a very nasty trap to get discouraged and feel down. Remember that everyone’s journey is different. We each have our unique stories, strengths, and weaknesses. While it may take a bit of practice and effort—especially with social media—it is absolutely worth the effort.
Daily Self-Worth Exercise
Here’s a simple yet powerful daily practice that can shift your mindset over time. This is an exercise that I used when I just got into the topic of self-improvement. At first glance, it seems too simple to be effective, however, it is very effective daily practice to rewire your brain.
1. Set Aside Time
Dedicate 5 to 10 minutes each day to this practice. You might choose to do it in the morning to set a positive tone for the day. Alternatively, you can set aside this time in the evening to reflect on your day. Either way, it is important to do it daily.
2. Write Down 20 Reasons Why You Are Worthy
Each day, write down at least 20 reasons why you are worthy. Keep it simple, start with easy everyday things that we tend to dismiss. Here are some examples:
- I’m worthy because I had a good night’s sleep.
- I’m worthy because I enjoyed a delicious breakfast.
- I’m worthy because I completed my tasks today.
- I’m worthy because I helped a friend.
- I’m worthy because I took time for self-care.
This is the time when quantity matters more than quality. The simpler the reasons why you value yourself are, the better it is. Remember, the trick is to value yourself for the simplest everyday staff. If you do this, then recognizing yourself for bigger things will be so much easier.
3. Be Specific and Personal
As you get more comfortable with the exercise, include more personal and specific reasons. These reflections will highlight your true values and improve your self-reflection abilities.
4. Keep a Journal
Use a dedicated notebook or digital app to save your entries. This way, you can look back and see how your reasons changed with time.
5. Stay Consistent
Remember, repetition creates change. Aim to do this every day for at least three weeks to start reprogramming your mindset. Our brains respond to repetition very well and it will help to initiate the change in everyday thinking.
Step 6: Reflect on Changes
After three weeks, take time to look back and reflect. How did the daily practice go? What’s changed in your self-perception? Are you speaking to yourself more kindly? Are you noticing more of your strengths?
Final Thoughts
Self-worth is the foundation for a fulfilling and happy life. Like any area of personal development, it takes time and consistent effort to improve. Set your goals, and start with small, manageable changes. Be patient with yourself. Stay committed and celebrate every step forward!
