Today’s topic? Self-respect. Or rather, the lack of it.

You see, respect isn’t just about how we treat others. It’s also about how we treat ourselves.

And sometimes, without even realizing it, our actions can shout out loud: “I don’t respect myself.”

But hold on a minute! Everyone has bad days. So if you relate to one or two of these behaviors, don’t freak out.

We’re talking patterns here – stuff that happens repeatedly. Not just once in a blue moon.

So, are you ready to dive deep and learn about the signs of lacking self-respect?

Stick around, you might learn something new about yourself!

1) They constantly criticize themselves

We all have an inner voice that chats away in our heads, right? Now, for some folks, this voice can be a bit of a downer. It’s always criticizing, always pointing out flaws, and never giving them a break.

If someone’s always talking negatively about themselves, putting themselves down, or focusing on their mistakes, it’s a red flag. This is a typical sign that they might not respect themselves.

It’s okay to recognize mistakes and learn from them. But constant self-criticism? That’s not healthy or respectful to oneself. It’s like having a mean bully living in your head full-time.

2) They don’t stand up for themselves

Imagine being in a situation where someone is clearly taking advantage of you, yet you choose to stay silent. Sounds familiar?

Well, this is a classic sign of lacking self-respect. People who respect themselves know their worth and are not afraid to stand up for themselves when they’re being treated unfairly.

They express their thoughts and feelings openly and genuinely. They set boundaries and refuse to let others cross them. 

But if someone constantly allows others to walk all over them, it’s probably because they don’t respect themselves enough to say “enough is enough.”

Standing up for oneself is not about being aggressive or confrontational, it’s about protecting your self-esteem and dignity. 

So, if you often find yourself in situations where you’re being treated unfairly but say nothing, it might be time to work on your self-respect.

3) They often neglect their health

Let me share something personal here. A few years ago, I was always the last one to leave the office. I survived on junk food, and exercise was a foreign concept to me. Sleep? What’s that?

I thought I was being a dedicated professional, but in reality, I was disrespecting myself big time.

You see, if someone consistently neglects their physical health – whether it’s lack of sleep, poor nutrition, or no exercise – it’s a sign they don’t respect themselves enough to take care of their body.

Our bodies are like machines, they need proper maintenance to function well. And just like you wouldn’t ignore a flashing warning light on your car dashboard, you shouldn’t ignore your health either.

So if you’re neglecting your health like I used to do, remember this – respecting yourself also means respecting your body and its needs. It’s time to start treating it right!

4) They’re always trying to please others

If someone is always bending over backwards to please others, always saying “yes” even when they want to say “no”, it’s a sign they might not respect themselves.

Why? Because they’re putting others’ happiness and needs above their own. They’re afraid of disappointing others and are often seeking approval and validation from outside sources.

5) They stay in unhealthy relationships

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but if someone stays in a relationship that is causing them pain or harm, it’s a clear sign they might not be respecting themselves enough.

Love and respect should always go hand in hand. But sometimes, out of fear of being alone or under the false belief that things will change, people stay stuck in unhealthy relationships.

Whether it’s a romantic partner, a friend, or even a family member, no one deserves to be treated poorly. If someone constantly disrespects you or makes you feel less than worthy, it’s not a sign of your worth but theirs.

So if you find yourself or someone you care about in an unhealthy relationship, remember this: You are worthy of love and respect. Don’t settle for anything less. 

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.

6) They constantly compare themselves to others

I’ll be honest here, I used to be a chronic comparer. Whether it was my job, my appearance, or my life in general, I always felt like I was falling short compared to others.

Sound familiar? If you or someone you know is always comparing themselves negatively to others, it’s a sign of lacking self-respect.

Here’s the thing: comparison is the thief of joy. And more importantly, it’s the thief of self-respect. By constantly comparing ourselves to others, we’re indirectly telling ourselves that we’re not good enough.

But over time, I learned that everyone’s path is different and unique. There’s no point in comparing our chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20. We need to respect our own journey and celebrate our own achievements.

You’re unique, and there’s no one else quite like you in this world. Embrace that and respect yourself for who you are!

7) They don’t believe in their worth

This one’s a bit of a gut punch, but it needs to be said. If someone can’t see their own worth, it’s a glaring sign they don’t respect themselves.

Let’s strip away the sugar-coating for a moment: if you constantly feel like you’re not good enough, if you’re always second-guessing your worth, if you don’t believe you deserve happiness or success, then you’re disrespecting yourself. And it hurts.

It hurts because you’re denying the reality of your incredible value. Every person on this planet is unique and brings something special to the table. That includes you.

You’re not a discounted item. You’re priceless. And until you start believing that, you’ll always be disrespecting yourself.

We are enough, just as we are. It’s time we start respecting that.

8) They ignore their own needs

Did you know that self-neglect is actually considered a form of self-harm? It’s true. Ignoring your own needs and wants can be just as damaging as more overt forms of self-harm.

If someone constantly suppresses their own needs or wants for the sake of others, it’s a sign they might not respect themselves.

When we respect ourselves, we understand that our needs are important. We take time for self-care and don’t feel guilty about it.

But if you’re always putting others first and ignoring your own needs, it’s like saying, “I don’t matter.” And that, my friend, is far from the truth.

So remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish – it’s necessary. And you deserve to make yourself a priority.

9) They don’t set personal boundaries

I remember a time when I never set boundaries – it felt uncomfortable, maybe even a little selfish. I’d let people encroach on my time, my energy, and even my personal space.

If that sounds like you or someone you know, it’s a sign of not respecting oneself.

Boundaries are like invisible lines that we draw to protect ourselves. They’re about understanding what we’re comfortable with and what we’re not.

When we respect ourselves, we make it clear to others what those lines are and ensure they’re not crossed.

But if you’re like how I used to be and don’t set personal boundaries, it’s like saying, “I don’t value my own comfort or wellbeing”. And that’s definitely not showing self-respect.

So remember, it’s okay (and necessary!) to set boundaries. You’re worth it!

10) They settle for less than they deserve

Let’s get real here: if you’re constantly settling for less than you deserve, whether in relationships, at work, or in life in general, you’re not respecting yourself.

That job that drains your soul but you stay because you think you can’t do better? That relationship where your needs are always on the back burner? That dream you gave up because someone said it was unrealistic? All of these are signs of settling.

You deserve more. You deserve what makes you happy, fulfilled, and respected. Don’t sell yourself short.

11) They don’t forgive themselves

We all make mistakes. All of us. But if you’re constantly beating yourself up over past mistakes and not forgiving yourself, you’re disrespecting yourself.

Holding onto past mistakes and guilt is like carrying a heavy backpack everywhere you go – it just weighs you down.

To respect ourselves, we need to learn to forgive ourselves. It’s not about forgetting what happened or making excuses. It’s about acknowledging the mistake, learning from it, and moving forward.

12) They don’t take care of their mental health

This one’s a biggie. If you’re neglecting your mental health – ignoring stress, not dealing with anxiety or depression – you’re not respecting yourself.

Our minds, just like our bodies, need care and attention. Ignoring your mental health is like ignoring a deep cut – it won’t heal on its own and will only get worse over time.

Respecting ourselves means taking care of our mental health, seeking help when needed, and doing what’s necessary to stay mentally healthy and strong.

Remember, self-respect is about treating ourselves with the same kindness and respect we would give to others. It’s about valuing our worth and not settling for less. 

And most importantly, it’s about loving ourselves, flaws and all. We all deserve that.