Self-worth — now there’s a term that can stir up a lot of emotions.

It’s more than just a measure of your confidence, it’s about understanding your intrinsic value and believing in your capabilities.

According to psychology, having less self-worth than the average person isn’t just about having low self-esteem. It goes deeper than that. It’s about how you perceive yourself in relation to others and the world around you.

But how do you know if you’re undervaluing yourself?

Well, there are some signs that can indicate this, and let me tell you, recognizing them can be a real eye-opener.

In this article, I’m going to share 9 of these signs with you. By the end, you might just have a better understanding of where your self-worth stands.

1) You’re constantly seeking validation

Now, this is a tough one.

We all like to be recognized and appreciated for our efforts, right? Who doesn’t enjoy a pat on the back or a word of praise?

But when you constantly find yourself seeking validation from others, it’s a different ball game altogether.

It’s more than just wanting approval. It’s about relying on others to determine your worth.

You are likely to depend on external validation to feel good about yourself. Whether it’s likes on social media, compliments on your appearance, or approval from your boss, you’re always in search of that affirmation.

This isn’t about being needy or attention-seeking. It’s about a deep-seated belief that your worth is directly linked to how others perceive you.

The truth is, constant validation-seeking is an indicator that you may have less self-worth than the average person.

It’s not easy to admit, but recognizing it can be the first step towards boosting your self-worth.

2) You’re overly self-critical

Here’s a psychological concept you might be familiar with: the inner critic.

Ever heard a little voice in your head saying you’re not good enough, smart enough, or attractive enough? That’s your inner critic.

And while it’s normal to have an inner critic, the problem arises when this voice becomes too loud, too harsh, and too frequent.

If you’re constantly criticizing yourself, magnifying your flaws and mistakes while downplaying your achievements, you might be dealing with an overly active inner critic.

This negative self-talk is a common sign that you may have less self-worth than the average person.

But guess what?

Recognizing this pattern of self-criticism is the first step towards silencing that harsh inner voice.

Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes and have flaws – we all do! Try replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations and see the difference it makes.

3) You find it hard to accept compliments

Now, this might sound counter-intuitive, especially after discussing self-criticism.

You’d think that if you’re overly critical of yourself, you’d be more than happy to accept a compliment, right? Well, not necessarily.

Ironically, those who struggle with low self-worth often find it incredibly difficult to accept compliments.

Instead of taking the compliment at face value and saying a simple ‘thank you’, you might find yourself dismissing it, deflecting it, or even questioning the person’s motives.

This is because deep down, you might not believe that you deserve the praise. Your low self-worth convinces you that the compliment can’t possibly be genuine.

So next time when someone pays you a compliment, take note of your immediate reaction. It might reveal more about your self-worth than you realize.

4) You struggle to set boundaries

Ever found yourself saying ‘yes’ when you really wanted to say ‘no’?

Setting boundaries is about defining what’s acceptable and what’s not in your relationships. It’s about standing up for yourself and protecting your time, energy, and emotional well-being.

But here’s the thing. If you’re struggling with low self-worth, you might find it incredibly hard to set these boundaries.

You might fear that setting boundaries will upset others, or make them think less of you. You might worry about coming off as selfish or unkind.

So instead, you end up saying ‘yes’ to everything, even at the cost of your own well-being.

However, not being able to set boundaries is a clear sign that you might have less self-worth than the average person. It suggests that you value others’ happiness and approval more than your own.

Setting healthy boundaries is a crucial part of self-care and self-respect.

5) You compare yourself to others

Comparison — it’s a trap that can seriously dent your self-worth.

When you constantly compare yourself to others, you’re setting yourself up for feelings of inadequacy and discontentment.

Here are some ways this comparison game can manifest:

• Feeling envious of others’ success or achievements.
• Wishing you had someone else’s life, job, or physical appearance.
• Feeling inferior when someone else does well.

Each of these points reflects a habit of comparing oneself to others, which is a clear sign of lower self-worth.

Remember, everyone is on a different journey with different timelines. Your worth is not determined by how you stack up against others. You are enough, just as you are.

6) You tolerate poor treatment

Let’s be honest. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve been treated less than we deserve. I know I have.

But here’s where self-worth comes into play.

If you have a strong sense of self-worth, you’re likely to stand up for yourself and not tolerate such behavior. You recognize that you deserve respect and kindness, and you’re not afraid to demand it.

But if you find yourself consistently tolerating poor treatment — be it from friends, family, or romantic partners — it’s a sign that you might have less self-worth than the average person.

You might believe, consciously or unconsciously, that you don’t deserve better. That this is the best you can get.

But I’m here to tell you that’s not true. We all deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. It’s high time you start believing this too.

7) You downplay your achievements

Imagine this: You’ve just completed a major project at work, one that you’ve been working on for months. Your boss praises you in front of the entire team. How do you react?

Do you accept the praise gracefully, acknowledging the effort and skills that went into completing the project?

Or do you downplay your achievement, attributing it to luck or the efforts of others?

If it’s the latter, it could be a sign of lower self-worth.

You might feel uncomfortable acknowledging your achievements because, deep down, you believe you don’t deserve them. You might worry that others will see you as arrogant or boastful.

But here’s a question to ponder: Why should celebrating your achievements be seen as arrogance? Isn’t it just recognizing your skills and efforts?

Remember, it’s okay to be proud of your accomplishments. They are a testament to your abilities and hard work. Don’t let low self-worth rob you of the joy of celebrating your successes.

8) You have a fear of failure

Fear of failure is something I’ve personally grappled with.

I remember a time when I was so afraid of failing that I wouldn’t even attempt new things. This fear can be paralyzing. It can hold you back from taking risks, trying new things, or stepping out of your comfort zone.

Now, it’s normal to be nervous about failing. But when this fear becomes all-consuming, it might be a sign of low self-worth.

You might be afraid that failing will confirm your worst fears about yourself — that you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not capable enough.

But here’s what I’ve learned over the years. Failure is not a reflection of your worth. It’s just a part of life, a learning experience.

So don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. You are more capable than you think, and your worth is not defined by your successes or failures.

9) You don’t believe you deserve happiness

Here we are, the final point, and perhaps the most important one.

If you constantly feel like you don’t deserve happiness, it’s a glaring sign of low self-worth.

You might sabotage your own happiness because you feel unworthy of it. You might settle for less in relationships, jobs, or life in general, because you don’t believe you deserve more.

But let me tell you this — everyone deserves to be happy. Yes, that includes you!

Believing that you deserve happiness is one of the most fundamental aspects of self-worth. So if you catch yourself thinking otherwise, take it as a wake-up call.

It’s time to start believing in your worth and embracing happiness. Because you absolutely deserve it.

What can you do to boost your self-worth?

Recognizing the signs of low self-worth is important, but it’s only the first step. The next step is to actively work on boosting your self-worth.

Here are a few things you can start doing:

• Practice positive affirmations: Daily affirmations can help rewire your brain and foster a more positive self-image.
• Seek therapy: If low self-worth is significantly impacting your life, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
• Surround yourself with positive influences: The people around you can greatly influence your self-worth. Choose to be around those who lift you up.

Remember, building self-worth takes time and patience. But every step you take towards boosting your self-worth is a step towards a happier, more fulfilled life.

So ask yourself, isn’t it time you started valuing yourself more?

After all, you are worthy, you are enough, and you absolutely deserve happiness.