What is Self-Worth

Maria sat at her desk, staring at the email she had written for the third time. Her finger hovered over the ‘send’ button, but she hesitated, her stomach twisting with doubt. She could almost hear the imaginary voices of her co-workers pointing out her mistakes, questioning her competence. Even though she had put in long hours on the project, Maria couldn’t shake the feeling that she was a fraud, and any praise she received was just pity. She closed her laptop, telling herself she’d try again tomorrow. Deep down, she wished she could feel she deserved her place here.

Self-worth is a foundational concepts that shape our entire experience of life, but can be both confusing and elusive. Self-worth determines how we treat ourselves, how we let others treat us, and ultimately, what we believe we deserve (Erdvik et al., 2019). But what exactly is self-worth? Is it self-esteem, or different? And, most importantly, how can we cultivate it in our lives in small, tangible ways?

Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem

Self-worth is the belief that you are inherently valuable, no matter what. You are worthy because you exist. It’s about embracing yourself without the conditions of achievement or external validation. It’s a deep knowing that your value isn’t tied to your actions, mistakes, or successes—we repeat, you are worthy simply because you exist.

Self-esteem, on the other hand, is more about how you feel about yourself based on your abilities, accomplishments, and how you perceive others see you. It’s often linked to confidence and can fluctuate as you experience successes and setbacks. Self-worth, however, is more constant: it is an unwavering sense that your value doesn’t change with circumstances.

While they are not the same, self-esteem and self-worth are connected. Strengthening your self-worth often leads to healthier self-esteem, as it provides a stable foundation on which confidence can grow.

The Feeling of Low vs. High Self-Worth

When your self-worth is low, it can feel like a constant heaviness—as if your body is weighed down by invisible burdens. It might feel like a hollow emptiness or a tightness that makes you shrink into yourself. Low self-worth often causes us to act out of fear, seek validation desperately, or avoid putting ourselves out there because we don’t feel ‘good enough.’

On the other hand, high self-worth feels expansive. It feels like standing tall, with your chest open, and a warmth that spreads through your body. It’s that feeling that you are deserving of love, success, and fulfillment—not because of what you do, but simply because you exist. It brings with it a sense of freedom and an ability to be more authentically yourself, without fearing judgment or needing to prove yourself.

Hierarchy of Needs & Self-Esteem Scale

In Maslow’s 1943 Hierarchy of Needs, which established the  hierarchical approach to human motivation, self-worth is tied to the level of esteem needs within the following five categories: Physiological, Safety, Love and belonging, Esteem, and Self-actualization (Rojas et al., 2023).  Maslow describes esteem needs as encompassing self-respect, status, recognition, and a sense of accomplishment. Self-worth is foundational for fulfilling these esteem needs because it is the intrinsic belief that you deserve respect and recognition regardless of your achievements (Rojas et al., 2023).

On the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, which is used to measure self-esteem, self-worth serves as the underlying core belief that informs overall self-esteem scores. Those with higher self-worth tend to rate themselves more positively across dimensions of respect, competence, and self-acceptance, while those with lower self-worth may score lower due to underlying doubts about their intrinsic value.

Self-Worth and the Chakras

Self-worth is often linked to the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura), which is located in the upper abdomen. This chakra is associated with personal power, self-esteem, and confidence. When your Solar Plexus Chakra is balanced, you feel a strong sense of self-worth and the ability to assert yourself with confidence. If it’s blocked or imbalanced, you may struggle with low self-worth, feelings of powerlessness, or self-doubt.

Small Steps to Building Self-Worth

1. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness. When you make a mistake, instead of berating yourself, try to respond as you would to a dear friend. Speak to yourself gently, and remember that mistakes are a part of being human.
2. Set Boundaries: Knowing your worth means knowing what you will and will not tolerate. Practice setting boundaries in relationships, at work, and with yourself. Say no when you need to—this reinforces that your needs and limits matter.
3. Celebrate Yourself: Take time to acknowledge yourself for simply being you. You don’t need to accomplish anything extraordinary to be worthy. Practice moments of stillness where you remind yourself of your inherent worth without attaching it to anything external.
4. Daily Affirmations: Affirmations can help rewire your subconscious beliefs about yourself. Try stating aloud: “I am enough, just as I am.” Repeat this daily, even if it feels awkward at first. Over time, this message will sink in.
5. Connect with Your Body: Sometimes, we forget that our sense of self-worth isn’t just in our minds—it’s in our bodies too. Self-worth tends to “live” in our chest area or heart center. When we have a strong sense of self-worth, it often feels like warmth or openness in our chest. When it’s low, we may feel heaviness or a tight, constricted sensation. Try placing your hand over your heart and taking a few deep breaths, consciously feeling gratitude for your own existence.

Building self-worth is a journey, and it can waver some day-to-day or due to extreme circumstances. Wherever you are in your journey, remember that self-worth is not something to be earned—it’s already there within you.

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