“Nobody’s perfect.”

That’s what my mother would tell me whenever I felt down about myself.

She’d remind me that it was okay to have flaws, to make mistakes, and to be imperfect.

But what if you’re constantly feeling bad about yourself?

If you’re always doubting your worth or questioning your abilities, you might be dealing with low self-esteem.

Now, here’s what’s interesting.

Often, people with low self-esteem have certain behaviors that they exhibit without even realizing it.

In this article, we’ll explore 7 of these behaviors.

So, if you’ve been wondering if you display signs of low self-esteem, stick around.

The insights you gain may surprise you and pave the way for positive change.

1) Over-apologizing

“Sorry.”

This one word can be incredibly powerful when used correctly.

But have you ever met someone who seems to say it a little too often?

Here’s the thing.

People with low self-esteem often feel an incessant need to apologize.

Whether it’s for things that aren’t their fault, for expressing their opinions, or for simply existing, they tend to say sorry more than necessary.

Now, don’t get me wrong.

Apologizing when you’re in the wrong is a sign of maturity and integrity.

However, excessive apologizing can reflect a deep-seated feeling of unworthiness.

Do you find yourself constantly saying “sorry” without good reason?

Pay attention and if that’s the case, it might be time to take a step back and reassess your self-esteem.

2) Constant self-criticism

Here’s a harsh truth:

We all have an inner critic.

It’s that little voice in our heads that points out our mistakes and pushes us to do better(In theory!)

But let me share a personal story.

I had a friend in college who took self-criticism to a whole new level.

They constantly berated themselves over every tiny mistake, from spilling a cup of coffee to getting a B on an exam.

“Ugh, I’m so clumsy.” “I’m such an idiot.”

The truth is the phrases became her regular vocabulary, and it was painful to watch her beat herself up over trivial matters.

She was brilliant and talented, but her low self-esteem magnified her flaws and minimized her strengths.

This incessant self-criticism is a common behavior in people with low self-esteem.

In essence, they’re often their own harshest critics, focusing so much on their perceived shortcomings that they overlook their strengths.

If you find yourself doing the same, it might be time for a little self-compassion.

3) Difficulty accepting compliments

Compliments. They’re meant to make us feel good, right?

But I remember a time when I struggled with accepting them.

A friend would say, “You look great today!” and I’d automatically respond with, “Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on.”

I’ve come to realize that this was a manifestation of my low self-esteem.

I struggled to believe the positive things people said about me.

Here’s the thing:

People with low self-esteem often have difficulty accepting compliments.

They deflect praise or downplay their achievements because they don’t see themselves as worthy.

Ironically, this behavior can come across as humility or modesty, but in reality, it’s a sign of a deeper struggle with self-worth.

4) Avoidance of challenging situations

Life is full of challenges.

They push us out of our comfort zones, help us grow, and shape us into stronger individuals.

But what happens when you constantly avoid these challenges?

People with low self-esteem often shy away from challenging situations.

They’re afraid of failure, so they prefer to play it safe rather than taking risks.

Let’s be honest, this avoidance can limit their opportunities for growth and success as well as some fun personal ones! 

Have you ever found yourself turning down new experiences or avoiding situations that might test your abilities for no apparent reason?

In a nutshell, your self-esteem could be the culprit.

We’re all human and everyone fails. The key is to learn from those failures and keep moving forward.

5) Constant comparison with others

Imagine this.

You’re scrolling through social media, and you come across a post of an old friend who’s just bought a new house.

Instead of feeling happy for them, you compare your life to theirs.

This constant comparison is typical for individuals with low self-esteem.

Why?

They measure their worth against the success of others, often feeling inadequate when they don’t “measure up.”

Here’s something to ponder:

Research shows that comparing ourselves to others can significantly lower our happiness and life satisfaction.

It’s important to get caught playing the comparison game because everyone’s life and journey is unique.

The only person you should be competing with is the person you were yesterday.

6) Perfectionism

I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist.

Every task, every project, every piece of work – I wanted it to be flawless.

I thought this drive for perfection was a strength, a sign of my dedication and commitment.

But over time, I realized that this relentless pursuit of perfection was rooted in my low self-esteem.

I was afraid that any mistake would highlight my inadequacies.

These folks set unrealistically high standards for themselves and strive for perfection, fearing that anything less would make them unworthy or inadequate.

It’s a bit like a self-fulfilled prophecy, what they fear is what they feel like trying to achieve an impossible goal, which is being perfect. 

7) Difficulty expressing needs and feelings

Last but not least, one of the most significant hallmarks of low self-esteem is the difficulty in expressing needs and feelings.

Honestly speaking, people with low self-esteem often feel undeserving of having their needs met.

They shy away from expressing their feelings for fear of being a burden or being rejected.

As a result, this can lead to feeling misunderstood or ignored, further exacerbating feelings of unworthiness.

Whether we see it in others or our own, everyone has the right to communicate their feelings and to have their needs met.

Final thoughts

Recognizing these signs in yourself can be a tough pill to swallow.

Think about it.

It’s never easy to confront our insecurities or admit that we might be struggling with low self-esteem.

As you may have heard, realization is the first step towards transformation.

Understanding these behaviors is not about labeling yourself or feeling defeated.

You see, it’s about gaining the insight needed to start making positive changes.

You can start by:

• Being kinder to yourself
• Celebrate your achievements – no matter how small
• Challenge the negative self-talk and replace it with positive affirmations

When you feel the urge to compare yourself with others, remember that your value does not decrease based on someone else’s success.

In a nutshell, perfectionism can be exhausting. Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes. Making mistakes means you’re trying, learning, and growing.

Retraining your thought patterns and behaviors won’t happen overnight. But each small step you take towards boosting your self-esteem is a victory in itself.