Value is defined as “the worth of something that deserves to be held.”
We assign value to things, skills, people, and ideas.
But the most important value you must recognize — is your own.
Psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff notes that modern society has turned self-worth into a competition.
“Our achievement-driven culture tells us that to feel good about ourselves, we must be ‘special’ and ‘above average.’ But of course, not everyone can be above average at the same time.” — Dr. Kristin Neff
In reality, when defining your worth, you should think only of yourself.
You must consciously accept that you are valuable — not because of others’ opinions, but because you inherently are.
If you fail to value yourself, your chances of success in any field dramatically decrease.
Learning to accept yourself as you are — and being proud of it — is the foundation of a fulfilled life.
Self-confidence is the core of self-worth.
As you begin to recognize your own value, your confidence grows — leading to a healthier and happier life.
Here are 6 essential ways to stop devaluing yourself and build true confidence
1. Undervaluing Yourself Costs You Professionally
Leaders value themselves highly — that’s what makes them leaders in the first place.
In the Harvard Business Review, leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith wrote that a lack of self-confidence is rarely seen among CEOs.
He offered five key principles for building self-confidence:
-
Focus less on being perfect, and more on making sound decisions and managing the outcomes.
-
Accept failure as a natural part of life — those who fail the most often succeed the most.
-
Trust your own judgment instead of constantly second-guessing yourself.
-
Be courageous even when you’re afraid — your courage will inspire others.
-
Do what you love — life is too short to spend on things that bring no joy.
Goldsmith’s advice applies to everyone — whether you work in a corporate office or run a small business.
If you don’t believe in your own abilities, the likelihood of completing your tasks successfully drops immediately.
2. Undervaluing Yourself Costs You Financially
Research published in the Journal of Economic Psychology shows a direct positive link between self-esteem and income.
Researcher Francesco Drago notes that people who believe in their abilities tend to make greater efforts, which leads to higher earnings.
If you undervalue yourself, you’re less likely to ask for a raise or negotiate better pay.
You may fear that you don’t deserve it — but companies don’t pay based on how much you’re worth, they pay based on how much you believe you’re worth.
Building self-confidence is the first step toward financial growth.
3. Self-Devaluation Damages Your Relationships
Low self-esteem doesn’t just hurt your career — it can quietly destroy your personal life.
Psychologist Suzanne Phillips writes:
“Self-esteem influences not only how a person sees themselves but also what they expect from their partner and relationship.”
People who feel unworthy constantly seek reassurance from their partners, leading to tension, mistrust, and emotional exhaustion.
Remember — before someone else can love you, you must learn to love yourself first.
4. Not Valuing Yourself Weakens Mental Health
Low self-worth is one of the root causes of depression, anxiety, fear, and excessive self-criticism.
Psychologist Dorothy Rowe once said:
“Depression is a prison where both the prisoner and the jailer are the same person.”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective tools for breaking this cycle.
CBT helps explore the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors — teaching you how to accept yourself and restore inner balance.
It improves mental health and, as a result, enhances the overall quality of your life.
5. Undervaluing Yourself Affects Your Physical Health
A lack of self-care and confidence weakens the body as much as the mind.
It often manifests as fatigue, body aches, sleep disorders, digestive issues, and other physical symptoms.
Those who don’t love themselves tend to neglect their bodies.
Sleeping well, eating healthy, and staying active are not just physical needs — they are acts of self-respect.
6. Self-Devaluation Drains Emotional Energy
Most people simply want to be happy.
But when you don’t value yourself, happiness becomes out of reach.
Every time you tell yourself, “I don’t deserve this,” you extinguish a bit of your inner light.
True happiness doesn’t come from being perfect — it comes from accepting yourself as you are.
Conclusion
Self-respect and confidence are the foundations of happiness, health, and success.
Recognize your worth, protect it, and never let it diminish.
Those who value themselves add value to everything around them.