They sound like they are the same. Self-worth is easily compared to unconditional love. Self-esteem can sometimes make you feel like you are on a roller coaster, they go up and then down repeatedly until the person controlling the ride presses the stop button. You need to be the one controlling your self-esteem. Let it develop into your self-worth. There are a lot of words you can put after the word “self.” Appreciation, conscious, command would all be words you can apply after the word self. What would those words mean to you and how they would help with your self-worth. After all,
Don’t let your inner voice be dictated by what you think others’ opinions are. Don’t let it criticize your every move. Build up on things that are going to help you achieve all areas of your life into self-worth. Use self-reflection as a tool to build on it. Growing up I felt like the “cool” kids were phony. They were letting their self-esteem and self-worth be based on their emotions. You have to first like yourself before others can like you.
When you allow others to determine what you say and do, they don’t like you. Not the real you anyway. They like what you’re doing that they think is cool. You want what you do to be something that fulfills you. That can only happen if your true to yourself.
Reflect on what you’re doing. Is it providing what is needed to help you grow as a person. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them. You may be a professional chef; it took years to develop that skill. So, let’s say you want to learn to surf. It will take practice to get there. You will have hills and valleys to cross to achieve the new adventure. You build your self-confidence, self-esteem and self-value with each new road you travel. Consider each thing you do as developing a strong relationship with yourself. Give yourself a chance to develop a bond with who you really are. Life is full of challenges. Be flexible on transitioning or redirecting everything you do.
Don’t be stuck in a rut. Be open to increasing your self-awareness. You can do that by asking yourself what moments define me. How do I see myself. What can I do to combat things I’m struggling with. What is holding me back. You have to first have self-acceptance before you can apply acceptance to others. What are your good habits. How can you improve the bad habits you have.
Self-love, accountability, accepting responsibility are other things that you can develop to build up your self-worth. Look for ways you can handle criticism. Be proud of your achievements. Give yourself permission to stop focusing on your failures.
