Key Takeaways
- Self-worth and happiness are deeply interconnected, and nurturing them is essential to living a flourishing life.
- Self-worth begins with self-belief and self-compassion: Practicing kindness toward yourself helps build resilience and emotional strength.
- Exploring spiritual growth opens the door to greater self-awareness, inner peace, and personal transformation.
Table of Contents
How Self-Worth Leads To Lasting Joy
Research & Psychology Back It Up
Practices To Build Self-Worth (and Joy)
Conclusion: The Journey Inward
Introduction
There comes a moment in each one’s life when they begin to have self-doubt. An inner voice incessantly whispers that they are not good enough. Some unfortunately believe those words and do not gather the courage to endure another struggle and throw in the towel, weary and defeated.
We simply forget that we are far braver than we believe, stronger than we seem and smarter than we think. In fact, no one can make us feel inferior without our consent. If you have ever questioned your self-worth or wondered how to improve your self-worth, then this article may be helpful for you.
What Is Self-Worth?
What self-worth really means in simple words is how much you truly love and value yourself. This assessment is not based on what others think of you or your external achievements or failures. It is showing compassion, respect and kindness to yourself, accepting yourself as who you are with a deep, unconditional sense of value.
Often, people confuse self-worth with self-esteem and confidence. However, these are completely different aspects. Self-esteem is internal and related to a person’s ability to perform consistently well, meet personal goals and succeed in tasks. Achieving them enhances a person’s self-esteem and joy, contributing significantly to overall self-esteem and happiness. However, there can be a rise and fall in a person’s self-esteem based on circumstances, making it a more fluctuating aspect of one’s identity.
On the other hand, confidence is external and skill-based. A person’s ability to execute certain tasks with absolute finesse determines it. People may feel confident in certain areas, such as communication, problem solving, etc., but less in others, like technology or software tools, etc. However, it can change with time and experience.
Dr Kristin Neff, an American psychologist, beautifully explains how to improve self-worth. She emphasises the importance of self-worth and insists that we must practice self-compassion. She states, “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we would give to a good friend.” She further clears the air and the misconception people have regarding self-compassion with this quote. “Self-compassion is not self-pity or self-indulgence; it’s a powerful source of emotional resilience.”
Self-worth is the core to developing emotional stability in oneself. When a person values himself or herself, they are less likely to be shaken by rejection, criticism or failure, making them resilient to navigate situations and emotions with confidence. They believe in themselves; they have faith in their abilities. They are humble with reasonable confidence in their powers.
How Self-Worth Leads To Lasting Joy
“Your worth consists in what you are, and not in what you have. What you are will show in what you do.” A quote by Thomas Davidson, a Scottish-American philosopher, eloquently captures the essence of self-worth.
Cultivating the core values of self-worth and mental health helps us bounce back. No matter what life throws at us, we should never forget that our value doesn’t come from external sources. We are worthy as we are, and the world will treat us accordingly when we start embodying the self-love we deserve. By embracing this ideology, we invite true and enduring happiness.
| With Low Self-Worth | With Healthy Self-Worth |
| Constantly seeks external validation | Feels peace from within |
| Struggles with guilt and comparison | Practices self-compassion and acceptance. |
| Joy is short-lived and conditional | Joy is consistent and less reactive. |
| Tolerates unhealthy relationships | Builds boundaries and respectful connections. |
Research & Psychology Back It Up
When one believes in themselves and constantly reminds themselves that their worth is not something they need to prove or earn, it is already within them. They completely understand what self-worth means. They lead a flourishing life as they do not need any external validation.
Martin Seligman, an American psychiatrist, pioneered the concept of Positive Psychology [1]. He emphasised the importance of self-worth. By cultivating core values, self-worth and happiness along with gratitude, one enhances their overall well-being and enjoys meaningful life experiences and relationships.
Dr. Brené Brown [2] , a renowned American researcher, author and podcaster, emphasises the importance of recognising our inherent worth and the belief that we are enough. By connecting with our authentic inner self and reducing shame, we can empower ourselves and promote deep emotional well-being.
Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, American psychologists and professors, were the co-founders of the Self-Determination Theory [3]. This theory states that true well-being comes from finding your core values, which are three basic needs – autonomy (independence), competence (capability) and relatedness (connection).
All these researchers asserted the importance of self-worth, building a relationship with oneself. After all, loving yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.
Practices To Build Self-Worth (and Joy)
It is not hard to embark on this journey to build self-worth. Think of it as setting a vision mission for a flourishing child. Now let’s look at some simple yet effective ways to help find your core values.
- Self-compassion: treat yourself with the same kindness that you would offer a dear friend during their moment of struggle.
- Set boundaries: safeguard yourself and your energy by clarifying expectations and fostering respectful, balanced relationships.
- Challenge negative beliefs: Replace those negative thoughts that drag you down with empowering truths and affirmations.
- Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and rejoice in the accomplishment of even the smallest of tasks. This not only helps build motivation but also enhances confidence and a sense of belief.
- Mindfulness and therapy: Practices like mindfulness and therapy cultivate self-worth and mental health. Be in the present, rejoice and savour what you have, the secret of everlasting joy.
Conclusion: The Journey Inward
We all struggle with self-doubt and insecurity from time to time. The key to pushing through is believing in yourself. Sometimes all we need is a quick reminder that we are enough. Believing in ourselves and practising self-compassion can offer a burst of motivation, helping us to sail through the most turbulent of storms. Read articles on self-worth, view uplifting content, and practice daily affirmations to fuel positive self-esteem. Rightly quoted by Atticus, “You are enough, a thousand times enough.”
If you are wondering how to build self-worth and joy, well, you are already on the path of nurturing spiritual growth. The moment you open your heart and choose to love yourself no matter what, you choose self-worth and happiness, keys to a flourishing life. To further nurture your spiritual journey and deepen your understanding of human flourishing and religious wisdom, explore the work of UEF, a non-profit organisation committed to conscious living and spiritual literacy.
References
[1] https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/martin-seligman-psychology/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-determination_theory
FAQs On Self-Esteem and Joy
1. What is the difference between self-worth and self-esteem?
Self-worth is the deep belief that one is inherently valuable, while self-esteem is how we evaluate our abilities and qualities.
2. How does self-worth affect mental health?
Healthy self-worth strengthens mental health by fostering inner stability, reducing self-criticism, and promoting emotional resilience.
3. Can self-worth be developed later in life?
Definitely, self-worth can be developed at any stage in life through self-reflection, healing, positive relationships, and consistent self-compassion practices. Interestingly, many religious commonalities across faiths address these struggles, encouraging self-compassion, inner dignity, and the belief that every individual is inherently valuable and worthy.
4. What are the signs of low self-worth?
Some signs of low self-worth include constant self-criticism, difficulty accepting compliments, people-pleasing, fear of failure, feeling unworthy of love or success, and comparing oneself negatively to others.
5. How to improve self-worth for emotional well-being?
To improve self-worth, one must practice self-compassion, set healthy boundaries, challenge negative self-talk, celebrate each progress, surround oneself with supportive people, and engage in activities that align with one’s values and strengths.
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About the author
Akhilesh Gupta is the founder of the Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (UEF) Foundation and a past Fellow and Impact leader in residence at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. He was previously senior managing director at The Blackstone Group and held leadership roles at Reliance Industries Limited and Hindustan Unilever. Akhil currently serves on the advisory boards of three of Harvard University’s entities- Harvard Divinity School, the Human Flourishing Program, and Harvard Chan Initiative on Health and Homelessness. Akhil is the author of two books. His first publication, Bridges across Humanity – Many Religions, Same Learnings, was published in April 2023. This book highlights 54 common themes across all religions. His second book, “To Flourish is to Love Learn Play”, is due for publication in Fall 2025 by Forbes
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