Jelena Dincic
The thing about self-worth is that it shapes how we perceive ourselves and how we interact with others.
When we have a strong sense of self-worth, we’re stronger, more resilient, and confident.
And why is that important?
Because it helps us lead happier and more fulfilling lives!
But how do you know if you truly value yourself?
The answer lies in how you act.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 16 key behaviors that show you definitely know your self-worth.
Here we go:
1) You’re not afraid to be yourself
The great thing about knowing your self-worth is that you don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not.
Because you love and value yourself, other people’s opinion of you isn’t all that important.
The people closest to you – your friends and family – get you. As for everyone else, who cares what they think?
You’re not going to put on a show or hide your quirks and imperfections from the world because they make you who you are.
What matters most is that you can be true to yourself.
Trust me, authenticity is a powerful expression of self-worth.
2) You don’t need external validation
Sure, compliments and recognition are great, but you don’t need them. Your self-esteem and how you feel about yourself don’t depend on them.
You know that your worth comes from within which is why you’re not constantly seeking approval from others.
When you do well at something, you don’t need to announce it to the world. You don’t need a pat on the back or a “Well done!” from others.
You know what you’ve accomplished and that’s good enough for you.
In other words, the fact that you know your self-worth means you don’t need external validation to feel good about yourself.
3) You don’t take cr*p from anyone
Unfortunately, a lot of people who aren’t aware of their self-worth have low self-esteem.
As a result, they let people treat them any old how.
They let themselves be disrespected, mistreated, and manipulated. They don’t think they deserve better so they don’t have any boundaries.
You on the other hand know your worth which is why you refuse to take cr*p from anyone.
Basically, knowing your self-worth means having the confidence to stand up for yourself.
It means being able to assert your boundaries and not hesitating to walk away from situations or people that don’t honor your worth.
Setting boundaries is a powerful way of asserting your values and ensuring that your needs and feelings are acknowledged.
4) You make self-care a priority
The truth is that many people take self-care for granted.
They’re too busy taking care of everyone else to take care of themselves.
What’s more, unless they know their value, deep down they don’t believe that they deserve to be cared about.
Wondering what I mean by self-care?
Anything from getting 8 hours of sleep and eating healthily to exercising and practicing mindfulness meditation.
If you prioritize self-care as a non-negotiable part of your routine, it’s because you understand the importance of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
But that’s not all – you know that you’re worth it!
In short: By investing time and effort in self-care, you’re sending a clear message to yourself that you are worth the care and attention.
5) You look at failures as learning opportunities
Having a strong sense of self-worth means that you don’t shy away from challenges.
In my experience, setbacks and failures are opportunities to learn something new and grow.
This mindset empowers you to take risks and chase your dreams.
And the best part?
When you recognize your self-worth, you understand that making mistakes doesn’t diminish your value as a person.
6) You pick your friends
I feel bad for people who are so desperate for attention that they will be friends with just about anyone.
They simply don’t see that they deserve so much more.
You see, part of knowing your self-worth is being selective about the company you keep, i.e., choosing your friends.
So, if you value yourself, you’ll gravitate toward people who uplift and support you instead of getting into toxic relationships that erode your self-esteem.
7) You practice self-compassion
Let me explain.
Self-compassion is all about being kind and forgiving toward yourself.
It’s about showing yourself the same amount of understanding and compassion that you extend to others.
And when you know your self-worth, you don’t engage in harsh self-criticism. You understand that nobody is perfect and that’s okay.
You don’t let your mistakes define you. You learn from them and move on.
8) You demand to be respected
Listen up – the least any of us can hope and ask for is to be respected.
You don’t have to be liked and people don’t have to understand you, but they should very well respect you.
And when people let others walk all over them, mistreat, and abuse them, it’s because they don’t know their worth.
It’s no wonder they don’t demand respect from others when they don’t think they deserve it.
Demanding respect is a powerful affirmation of your self-worth.
9) You’re confident in your abilities
It’s no secret that self-worth is closely linked to self-confidence.
But how does that work exactly?
It’s simple: Because you believe in your skills and abilities, you’re not afraid to showcase them when the opportunity arises.
Your confidence basically stems from a deep understanding of your worth and what you bring to the table.
10) You have no trouble saying “no”
It turns out that a lot of people are afraid to say “no”. They don’t want to disappoint anyone or have anyone think less of them.
Unfortunately, that leads to so many bad situations where they end up doing things they’re not comfortable with or compromising their beliefs and values.
But as I mentioned earlier, people who know their self-worth don’t need external validation and they know how to set boundaries.
The good news is that when you know your worth, you’re able to confidently say “no” when a situation or request doesn’t align with your values or just doesn’t seem right.
11) You don’t compare yourself to others
I learned a long time ago that comparing myself to other people was a waste of time. That’s because each person’s journey is unique.
Worse than being a waste of time is how harmful it can be.
You see, for anyone who hasn’t recognized their self-worth yet, making comparisons can crush self-esteem.
That’s why when you know your self-worth, you choose to focus on your own progress and growth rather than constantly measuring yourself against others.
12) You’re not afraid of your feelings
Emotions are a natural part of being human and yet some people are afraid of them. Others still are embarrassed by them, as if “feeling” makes them weak or something.
Luckily, this is not a problem people who know their self-worth have.
You’re not afraid to experience and express your feelings.
You’re comfortable in your skin and love yourself as you are. The way you see it, your emotions are valid and you don’t judge yourself for experiencing them.
13) You don’t settle
People who settle don’t believe they can do better.
Like when it comes to dating, they don’t think they should keep searching for “the one” because they think they’re lucky anyone is even going out with them.
And when it comes to their careers, they don’t dream big. Earning a living is good enough.
So what does that mean for you?
Well, if you refuse to settle for anything less than you deserve, it’s because you definitely recognize your worth.
You dream big and you aim high.
14) You never give in to negative self-talk
Let me tell you about negative self-talk; it’s a very toxic trait that can mess with a person’s head.
It’s true.
I mean when you keep telling yourself something over and over again, eventually you’re gonna believe it – even if it’s total bullsh**.
But if you know your self-worth, you know that you shouldn’t give in to negative thoughts.
When you think, “I can’t do this, I’m not good enough” you immediately counter that thought with a positive affirmation such as, “That’s not true. Of course, I can do this, I’ve got all the know-how and experience necessary to do this.”
Simply put, you refuse to let self-doubt hold you back.
15) You don’t need someone else to make you happy
Let me stop you there – I’m not saying that people who know their worth should live in seclusion or stop looking for love.
What I mean to say is that while healthy relationships enhance our lives, those of us who know our self-worth understand that happiness ultimately comes from within.
Those who don’t keep looking for someone else to complete them.
16) You don’t waste time on toxic relationships
Hey, I’m happy to give everyone a chance, but if spending time with someone is harmful to me in any way, then I’m gonna have to walk away.
Knowing your self-worth means recognizing when a relationship is toxic or harmful.
More than that, it’s knowing you don’t have to subject yourself to it because you deserve more.
