Self-worth mentions the sense of one’s individual value as a human being. Women with high self-worth know their worth, set standards, and refuse to lower them for anyone. They perform self-care, bound themselves with encouraging people, and hold self-compassion.
Developing high self-worth takes time, but putting in the effort is worth it. Here are 6 key habits practiced by women with healthy self-worth:
Habit 1: They Set Boundaries
Women with strong self-worth set healthy boundaries in relationships and speak up when those boundaries get crossed. They know their bounds and do not negotiate with their values or interests to satisfy others.
Some examples of setting boundaries include:
- Saying “no” when they do not want to do something
- Making time for self-care
- Choosing not to discuss upsetting topics
- Leaving uncomfortable situations
- Asking for alone time when needed
Tips for Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries requires assertive communication skills. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but becomes easier with practice. Consider these tips:
Think through your needs – Reflect on your values, dealbreakers, pet peeves, and emotional capacity. What do you need to feel protected and esteemed? These insights clarify your boundaries.
Be specific – Vague, unspoken expectations often get violated. Clearly define boundaries upfront about behaviors you won’t tolerate.
Use “I” statements – Use “I” language versus blaming “you” statements. “I feel concerned when plans get changed last minute” sounds less confrontational than “You’re so inconsiderate about my schedule!”
Practice saying no – Start small by saying no to requests that cross minor boundaries. Assemble self-assurance in your precise to refuse anything that compromises your happiness.
Consider consequences – Calmly explain the consequence if someone disrespects your boundary. Perhaps you will leave the situation or stop talking. Follow through consistently.
Get support – Having friends and family reinforce your boundaries makes them easier to maintain. Surround yourself with people who listen and care.
“Know your limits and assert them. Your self-worth depends on it.” – Iyanla Vanzant
See also: ground yourself spiritually
Habit 2: They Practice Self-Care
Self-care is crucial for self-worth. It shows that you importance and well-being. Women with high self-regard dedicate time for activities that nourish them physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Why Self-Care Matters
Taking care of yourself keeps you feeling grounded, motivated, productive, and mentally sharp day-to-day. It also strengthens resilience to life’s curveballs. Consider how putting on your own oxygen mask first allows you to better assist others. Self-care fuels that same capacity for generosity through prevention of burnout, depression, and compassion fatigue over the long-run.
When demands start compromising basic needs like rest, healthy food, exercise, downtime, and social connection, self-care brings things back into balance. It is self-honoring behaviors that make sure your tank stays full. Running on empty risks emotional meltdowns and breeds resentment.
Common self-care practices include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating nutritious foods
- Exercising
- Journaling
- Reading
- Relaxing baths
- Time in nature
- Engaging in hobbies
- Meaningful social time
- Practicing mindfulness, meditation, yoga
Case Studies on Self-Care
Sarah used to put everyone else’s needs before her own. She was constantly exhausted and drained. Finally, she realized she deserved better. Sarah began going to bed early, scheduling massages, and meeting friends for coffee. She felt empowered taking this time for herself. Her self-care routine continues today.
Joan got so consumed with work deadlines and family obligations that she stopped working out and rarely cooked healthy meals anymore. Eventually she became so depleted that she got sick all the time and had no energy for her kids. This crisis forced Joan to block out dedicated self-care time. Meal-prepping on Sundays, morning exercise classes, banning work email after dinner hours – her mental and physical health rebounded.
Make self-care a consistent habit, not a luxury. You are worth the investment. Integrating little daily stress-reduction practices, along with weekly rejuvenating activities, and monthly nurturing splurges for yourself has profound effects. When you fill up your own cup first, you have so much more peace, patience and joy to offer others.
Habit 3: They Surround Themselves with Positive People
They say you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Women with healthy self-worth build a strong support network of people who make them feel good about themselves. Consider these indicators of nourishing relationships:
Mutual care – There is reciprocation and balance between giving and receiving emotional support. One person does not do constant, one-sided caretaking.
Trust and respect – Each person feels safe being authentic. There is no fear being judged if sharing feelings or weaknesses.
Appreciation – Regular praise and gratitude for each other’s contributions and qualities nurtures self-confidence.
Healthy conflict resolution – Disagreements get discussed openly to mutual understanding. People stay curious, listen well, own their part, and compromise.
Unfortunately certain people drain you with:
- Negativity or pessimism
- Disrespect, insults or bullying
- Jealousy and competition
- Belittling opinions or controlling behavior
Limit interactions that are one-way streets depleting your self-esteem. Reduce contact with people displaying signs of passive aggression, manipulation, narcissism or other toxic patterns. Surround yourself with cheerleaders instead of critics. Identify relationships where you feel respected, heard, supported and energized. spend further into those people nourishing your enlargement.
Habit 4: They Do Not Seek Validation from Others
Needing constant approval, praise or reassurance often signals low or fragile self-worth. It gives others power over your happiness. Women with high self-value do not rely on external validation. They cultivate confidence through:
1) Knowing themselves deeply – Strong convictions come from within based on years of navigating life’s triumphs and trials. Value your rich inner wisdom.
2) Living authentically – When making decisions, focus on aligning with your core values versus trying to please everyone. Growth happens following your own internal compass, not crowds.
3) Trusting their own opinions – You know yourself better than anyone. Opinions rooted in self-knowledge hold more weight for your life path than outside perspectives.
4) Limiting comparisons – Avoid getting caught up in comparison games as the “thief of joy.” Run your own race. Different chapters have different purposes.
5) Owning their worth – Stand confident in who you are, not arrogant or entitled, but refusing to minimize gifts, talents and purpose out of self-consciousness. Use them boldly.
If someone is unhappy with a choice serving your highest good, that is more reflection of them. Focus less on the changing opinions around you. You alone determine your value. Validate yourself through aligning actions with what matters to you most. Self-approval must come from within.
Habit 5: They Express Their Needs and Feelings
Suppressing difficult emotions leads to resentment, limits intimacy, and erodes self-trust. Women with inner confidence clearly communicate their needs and feelings – both positive and negative.
Why Expressing Yourself Matters
- Bottling up anger, sadness, fear or pain weighs you down carrying all that toxic energy in your body. Speaking feelings brings relief through external processing.
- Stuffing needs and emotions usually backfires later in knee-jerk reactions, tears, shutdowns or passive aggression. Better addressing real-time needs prevents explosions down the road.
- Vulnerability around emotional needs deepens intimacy and understanding in relationships. People see your human side. Honesty invites reciprocation building trust.
- When you freely articulate enjoying people’s help, kindness, humor or other behaviors that lift you up, they feel seen and are likely to continue those actions. Appreciation is motivating.
Healthy expression involves:
- Letting others know the specific behaviors you appreciate or find hurtful
- Being vulnerable and articulate about your emotional needs
- Speaking up calmly about problems right away before they escalate
- Giving genuine compliments to those who support you
- Using “I feel…” statements versus blaming others
- Taking responsibility for asking nicely for what you want without expectations
- Listening well to understand others’ perspectives too
This builds mutual understanding. Blaming or attacking just damages relationships. State feelings as personal experiences rather than facts.
Help People Understand You
Make needs and feelings conversations constructive by including:
- Context around the roots of your emotional reactions so people understand where you are coming from
- Appreciation for people’s intentions before noting any unhelpful impacts
- Suggestions for solutions that would work better for you
- Inviting others to share their vantage point and needs too
Case Study on Expression:
Tina used to suppress her frustration that her husband did not help clean or cook dinner after they both worked full days. This led to increasing resentment until she exploded in anger one night. Making herself vulnerable by explaining how overwhelmed she felt managing a household alone led to an open conversation. Her husband admitted feeling inadequate about domestic skills but wanting to contribute more. Together they made a chore chart splitting duties equitably.
Key Takeaways on Communication:
- Address issues promptly before bottling up anger
- Use “I feel…” statements
- Take responsibility for asking clearly for help
- Include context about your experience
- Listen to understand their side also
- Brainstorm compromise solutions addressing all needs
Communicating confidently clarifies where people stand while revealing opportunities for growth together. Speak up with care, emotional intelligence and consideration.
Habit 6: They Embrace Self-Compassion
Self-compassion means extending the same kindness towards yourself that you would a good friend – accepting all people have moments of imperfection, failure or inadequacy. Rather than harsh self-criticism, you offer yourself caring concern.
Common components of speaking compassionately to yourself include:
- Showing yourself affection and tenderness
- Understanding rather than judging personal shortcomings
- Using encouraging language, as you would with a struggling child
- Recognizing suffering and setbacks as part of the shared human experience
Research shows self-compassion strongly correlates with:
- Fewer mental health issues
- Greater life satisfaction
- Increased motivation for self-improvement goals
- Healthier relationships
Meanwhile, constant inner criticism keeps you stuck in destructive thought cycles lowering mood and self-esteem. Self-compassion provides emotional safety to grow. Judge a behavior, not your core identity. Forgive yourself. Progress starts with self-acceptance, not demanding perfection.
Tips for Practicing Self-Compassion
- Notice negative self-talk and reframe it positively
- Write a letter forgiving yourself for past regrets
- Identify an inner wise mentor to encourage you
- Imagine a loved one struggling in your situation – what would you say to comfort them? Apply that same advice to yourself.
- Make a list of your best qualities and re-read it when you feel inadequate
- Track triggers causing self-judgment to better manage them
Go easy on yourself. Everyone struggles sometimes. Each moment is a chance to start again with wisdom gained from stumbles along the way. You deserve compassion.
See also: 10 Habits of women who always stay attractive
In Conclusion
Nurturing self-worth necessitates promise but deeply contacts confidence, affiliations and toughness. Follow the lead of self-assured women who set boundaries, practice self-care, surround themselves with supportive people, limit external validation seeking, communicate needs clearly, and embrace self-compassion. Prioritizing your wellbeing takes courage but pays off tremendously. You are so worth it!
