If a man displays these 10 subtle behaviors, he’s masking a lack of self-worth

Mia Zhang by Mia Zhang | May 19, 2024, 6:11 pm

Hey there, reader! We’re going to chat today about a thing called self-worth. But what happens when it’s missing? Especially in men?

Believe it or not, it’s not always easy to see. Guys can be experts at hiding their feelings, even from themselves.

Sit back and relax. We’re going to look at 10 small signs a man might not be feeling great about himself.

Let’s get started!

1) He’s always saying sorry

We’ve all been there.

Accidentally bumping into someone, making a small mistake, or being a tad late. Saying “sorry” in these situations is normal. But what if a man is constantly apologizing, even when it’s not necessary?

This could be a subtle sign that he’s not feeling great about himself. Over-apologizing often stems from a place of insecurity and a deep-seated fear of offending others or being viewed negatively.

It’s like he feels he’s always in the wrong or that he’s not good enough. If you notice this pattern, it might mean he’s wrestling with his self-worth.

2) He avoids eye contact

Eye contact can tell you a lot about a person. It’s one of the ways we connect with each other, showing confidence and interest.

What happens when a man consistently avoids eye contact?

If he’s constantly looking away or down, it might be because he feels uncomfortable or lacks confidence. Remember, this isn’t about the occasional glance away – we all do that. It’s more about a consistent pattern of avoiding eye contact.

3) He constantly seeks validation

We all like to hear that we’re doing a good job or that people appreciate us. But what if a man is always seeking approval, even for small things?

It’s like he needs constant reassurance that he’s good enough, valuable, or liked.

I’ve personally seen this in a close friend of mine. He would constantly ask if his jokes were funny or if his outfit looked okay, even after everyone had already assured him. It wasn’t about being vain or fishing for compliments – he genuinely struggled with feeling like he wasn’t good enough.

It might signal a struggle with self-worth.

4) He’s overly competitive

A little competition can be a good thing. It can push us to improve and achieve our goals. But when a man is overly competitive, it could be a sign of something else.

This constant need to be the best or win at everything might be masking a deeper issue – low self-worth. This over-competitiveness could be his way of proving his worth, not to others, but to himself.

Here’s an interesting fact: people who are overly competitive may struggle with perfectionism and fear of failure, both often linked to low self-esteem. If you notice someone constantly turning everything into a competition, it might indicate that he’s grappling with feelings of low self-worth.

5) He’s always negative about himself

If he’s always talking negatively about himself, brushing off compliments, or focusing only on his failures, it can be a heartbreaking sign of low self-worth. It’s as if he can’t acknowledge his strengths or achievements, and only sees his faults.

Everyone deserves to feel good about who they are. If someone you care about is consistently negative about himself, it might be more than just modesty or a bad mood. It could be an indication that he is struggling with feelings of low self-worth.

Remember, it’s important to approach this situation with empathy and understanding, as it’s a tough battle to fight.

6) He avoids taking risks

Life is all about taking risks. Whether it’s asking someone out on a date, applying for a new job, or trying out a new hobby.

When a man consistently avoids taking any risks, this could be another sign of low self-worth. It might seem like he’s just being cautious, but it could be that he’s afraid of failure or rejection.

I’ve been there myself – avoiding risks because I was scared of what might happen if I failed. It wasn’t about being safe, it was about not feeling good enough to handle potential failure.

7) He’s a people-pleaser

Listen, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make people happy. But there’s a line, and when a man is constantly crossing it to please others, even at his own expense, we’ve got a problem.

This constant need to please everyone, to never say no, to always put others before himself even when it hurts, it’s not healthy. It’s a sign that he doesn’t value himself as much as he values others. That he doesn’t believe his needs are as important. That he doesn’t feel worthy unless he’s making someone else happy.

And that right there? That could be a sign of low self-worth.

8) He’s overly defensive

Being overly defensive can be a way of protecting oneself from criticism or judgment, often stemming from feelings of insecurity or low self-worth. It’s like he’s always expecting to be criticized, so he’s always ready to defend himself.

Here’s an interesting fact: defensiveness is often a sign of perceived threat. In this case, the threat is to his self-esteem or self-worth.

Someone who’s always defensive, it could mean he’s struggling with feelings of low self-worth.

9) He struggles with decision making

Making decisions can be tough for anyone. But a man constantly struggles with decision making, even for small things like what to eat for dinner?

It’s as if he’s afraid of making the wrong decision and facing the consequences. I’ve seen this in my own life – second-guessing every choice, big or small, because I was afraid of messing up.

Trust me, it’s a hard place to be, and understanding and patience can go a long way.

10) He isolates himself

We all need alone time, sure. But there’s a difference between enjoying some solitude and consistently withdrawing from social situations.

Isolation can often be a way to avoid judgement or criticism. It’s like he feels safer when he’s alone because he doesn’t have to worry about what others think of him.

But here’s the harsh truth: that’s no way to live. Life is about connections, about sharing experiences with others.

If you notice someone always choosing isolation over interaction, it’s not about being introverted or shy. It could be a sign that he doesn’t feel good enough to be around others.