We often hear of self-worth as necessary for forming a healthy sense of self-esteem and a solid self-identity. Self-worth is at the foundation for the concepts of self-acceptance and self-love. Without feeling a solid sense of worth or value it is difficult, if not impossible, to feel worthy of love or acceptance from others.
The implications for a lack of self-worth are many. Those with limited self-worth are more vulnerable to experiencing toxic relationships and self-defeating behaviours which can include negative self-talk, avoidance of intimacy, comparing themselves to others or sabotaging relationships because of feeling undeserving of them. And, for anyone who has experienced an unhealthy or abusive relationship, they know all too well that the feelings of self-doubt that bubble up over time often get reinforced when staying in a toxic situation. Yet, because of their lack of self-worth or feelings of shame, they find themselves staying stuck in an unhealthy situation.
