When you hear the term ‘self-respect,’ what springs to mind for you?

Self-respect isn’t just another personality trait; it’s a fundamental part of who you are at your core. 

It’s about knowing your worth and standing up for yourself, no matter the situation. 

This is crucial because your level of self-respect teaches others how to treat you. 

Believe it or not: people can often tell if a woman respects herself simply by the way she talks. 

Today, we’re going to share some phrases that send a message to the world that you’ve got a lot of self-respect and you’re not afraid to show it.

Do you use any of these phrases already? Let’s find out.

1) “No, thank you”

Do you ever feel guilty for saying no to people? Like you can’t just say it without explaining yourself or justifying your reason?

I get it: I used to feel that way too. 

Then a few years ago, a friend told me something that changed my life, “You don’t have to explain yourself. ‘No’ is a complete sentence.”

That idea was a game-changer for me. I realized I could say no and leave it at that, without any explanations.

This was my introduction to the power of setting personal boundaries, which are all about self-respect.

Emotional Intelligence coach, Svetlana Whitener, says: “The more you practice establishing well-defined boundaries, the more people will treat you as a worthy, self-respecting individual.”

Boundaries help you set limits on what you’re willing to tolerate and say no when you need to. They let people know how you expect to be treated.

When you’re not afraid to simply say “no, thank you” to things that don’t align with your boundaries, it’s a powerful statement about how much you respect yourself.

2) “I just can’t tolerate that behavior”

Sometimes, no matter how much you love or care for someone, there are just certain things you cannot tolerate, right?

Here’s the scoop: when you hear a woman use the phrase “I just can’t tolerate that behavior,” you know she has a lot of self-respect and isn’t willing to sacrifice it for anyone.

Maybe your boss has unreasonable expectations knowing you’re eager for a promotion, or your partner thinks they can get away with treating you badly.

When self-respect is a core part of your being, it won’t matter how much you want that job or how much you love your partner; you won’t accept disrespectful behavior.

And you won’t be afraid to make that clear. It all comes down to your level of self-worth. 

As Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, explains, “It’s important to have self-worth because it impacts everything you do—from your relationships to how you work, how you feel about yourself, and how others view you.”

When you hear a woman firmly say, “I just can’t tolerate that behavior” you can be sure she’s got a lot of self-respect. 

3) “I’m proud of myself for..”

Receiving praise and recognition from others is nice and all but being proud of yourself is next level, right? 

When you hear a woman say “I’m proud of myself for..” it shows she really respects herself. 

The thing is: it’s not about bragging, or bigging herself up but she’s able to recognize her achievements without downplaying them. 

She doesn’t need to wait for external validation, which can often hamper self-esteem, to feel good about herself, she gets it from within. 

Feeling proud of yourself isn’t just about self-respect; it also has other benefits.

 Licensed counselor Jodi Clarke points out, “Celebrating your accomplishments, even the small ones, can boost your self-confidence and motivate you to do more.”

When you hear someone say, “I’m proud of myself for this,” it shows they value their own efforts and their progress, showcasing confidence and self-respect.

4) “I deserve better than this” 

It can be really tough to put yourself first, especially when you care deeply about someone. We’ve probably all faced a situation like this at some point.

Take my best friend, Sara. She was dating this guy for a few months last year. 

The relationship wasn’t good. He’d lie, put her down, and blame her for things that weren’t her fault. She really cared for him and thought she could fix things. 

But eventually, she reached her limit and told me, “I’m breaking up with Dave, I deserve better than this.”

I was so relieved to hear her say that. It showed she had enough self-respect to stop accepting such awful behavior.

And it’s not just about relationships. 

Whenever you hear someone say, “I deserve better,” whether it’s about their job, partner, or their family, or friends, it shows they have high levels of self-respect. 

They are choosing to prioritize themselves because they know they’re worth more than what they’re currently getting.

5) “I appreciate your perspective but I disagree”

Being able to say, “I appreciate your perspective, but I disagree,” is a powerful expression of respect for both yourself and others. 

It means you’re listening to the other person but also sticking to your own beliefs.

The truth is: finding this balance can be tricky. 

Sometimes, it might feel easier to just go along with what someone else says to avoid a fuss or to shut down their ideas to prove a point. 

However, standing firm in your own beliefs while still respecting others is a sign of maturity, confidence, and respect.

Research backs this up, showing that people who respect themselves are good at being assertive without being aggressive. 

They can stand up for themselves when things aren’t fair, but they do it in a way that keeps things respectful and constructive.

When a woman says she understands but disagrees, it shows she’s got self-respect and she’s not scared to hold her position. 

This approach doesn’t just help avoid arguments; it also helps everyone involved understand each other better and maintain good relations.

6) “What I need from you right now is..”

Are you comfortable asking for what you need?

The way we advocate for ourselves can say a lot about how we view ourselves. 

Women with a strong sense of self-respect understand that being assertive about their needs isn’t pushy; it’s crucial for maintaining their dignity.

They may not always explicitly say, “What I need from you right now is…” but their message is always clear. 

They know how to express their needs effectively and straightforwardly.

Oprah Winfrey once said, “You get in this life what you have the courage to ask for.” 

This quote beautifully captures why it’s important to be bold in communicating our needs. 

It’s not about being forceful; it’s about respecting ourselves enough to recognize our worth and ensure our needs are addressed. 

When a woman consistently practices this, it’s a strong indicator that she places a high value on herself and her own well-being. 

How often do you find yourself confidently expressing what you need?

7) “I’m comfortable with who I am”

Being comfortable with who you are is a big deal. 

It means accepting yourself fully and carrying that confidence into your everyday life. 

This kind of self-acceptance is crucial for a happy and healthy life.

Actress Kate Mara once said “Being comfortable in your own skin is one of the most important things to achieve. I’m still working on it!”

Her words perfectly express what it means to be at peace with oneself.

Self-acceptance means knowing your strengths and weaknesses and embracing them both. 

It’s about not hiding from your true self or trying to be someone you’re not. And this confidence shows in how you live your life. 

It affects your happiness, your health, and how you relate to others.

When you hear a woman confidently say, “I’m comfortable with who I am,” it’s a clear sign she respects herself. 

She’s accepted herself for who she is and values her own worth. Women who can say this truly understand the meaning and importance of self-respect.

Final thoughts

There you have it, 7 phrases that tell you a lot about a woman’s level of self-respect. 

Remember, self-respect is about knowing your worth and demanding the respect you deserve from the world around you. 

If you already recognize some of these phrases in your own vocabulary, keep it up.