8 Signs You Need More Self-Respect

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1 .You say yes to things that aren’t important to you or that you don’t have time
for Respect your time and energy by spending it on projects and people that are important to you. We don’t do ourselves any favors by over-scheduling our days to the point where we don’t have time for the necessary self-love or self-care that makes us feel good.

2. Pretending to be someone you’re not to please others
We’ve all felt like we had to put our best foot forward to impress someone. We know we shouldn’t have done it, but we did it anyway. It’s actually disrespectful to ourselves to pretend to be someone we’re not, because then we think we’re not good enough when we’re who we are. If people think you’re not good enough for them, then they’re just not good enough for you!

3. You often agree with what someone says, but only because you don’t want to offend them.
Your opinion matters, and if you don’t express it, you’re indirectly saying that your opinion doesn’t matter. If someone is offended by your honest and kind opinion, they weren’t really asking for advice, they were looking for someone to confirm what they were thinking. Show yourself respect by saying what you think.

4. You put the needs of others first
We do no one any favors by ignoring the fact that we need to rest, relax, and take care of ourselves. We function better, are more productive, and are more emotionally stable when we take care of ourselves.

5. You don’t defend yourself by correcting someone or saying what really happened
You don’t always have to let things go, stand up for yourself! Nobody likes conflict and often it is easier to just let things go. But we have to find the right balance here, because in order to respect ourselves it is important that people know the truth. Sometimes this means correcting people and giving a clear picture of what is really going on.

6. You regularly hide your feelings
We have feelings and emotions, but society often teaches us to hide our feelings so that we don’t make others feel uncomfortable. But every time you pretend that things are okay when they aren’t, you’re selling yourself short. Be honest about who you are and what you’re feeling.

7. You are looking for attention and appreciation from others
The only appreciation that really matters is the appreciation we give ourselves. When we are looking for appreciation from others, it is good to look at yourself and think about why you need this appreciation and attention. What is missing inside you that makes you look for this attention from others?

8. Surrounding Yourself With People Who Aren’t Actually Good For You
It’s hard to be our authentic selves when we’re surrounded by people who don’t appreciate and respect you for who you are. So take the time to get to know people who are just like you. People who support you and understand you. When you’re surrounded by people who love and appreciate you, it’s a lot easier to respect yourself.

No one is consciously disrespectful to themselves. But we do so many things on autopilot, habits that keep us from speaking up when we are hurt. Habits that make us need the approval of others, and habits that keep us from feeling hurt. Recognizing these habits is the first step to awareness and self-respect!