Six ways to Restore Self-Respect

How to grow in confidence and self-assurance

I recently read an article on subjective well-being based on a European survey. I found some concepts useful for understanding self-respect. The report increased my interest in further exploring the refinements of honor, pride, and confidence.

These building blocks of self-respect are essential to achievement and success. This essay will be about what it takes to reach higher self-assurance.

I became interested in self-worth out of a desperate search for ways to reconstruct myself as an upstanding person.

This search began after early childhood as the object of disrespect and repression of my true self.

If you encounter the challenge of restoring lost dignity, the six steps below may help.

This reference presents some ideas about what you can do to enhance self-respect. I will rework some of this material to reflect my own experience.

Why is self-respect so important? It is essential because it shows you value your unique approach to living your life. It gives you the basics of making decisions based on your true self.

The confidence to follow your own decisions is a sign that you possess the power and authority to advocate for your interests.

When you respect yourself, you can say ‘no’ to what is unhealthy for you mentally or emotionally. You are strong enough to weather disapproval from others because of your choices.

I find this criterion especially trying. My desire for others’ approval is sometimes so strong that I surrender my interests to avoid conflict. But conflict with others is sometimes unavoidable. It is a plight I have yet to resolve.

Self-respect is also beneficial because it allows you to stand up for your beliefs. Rather than timidly standing aside in the face of contrary ideas, a self-respecting person responds to others in a dignified, robust, and transparent way.

Finally, if you have self-respect, it helps others to see and treat you with dignity and worth. Timidity and reticence telegraph to others that you do not yet have the courage of your convictions.

But putting forth your beliefs and values in a clear, definite manner shows others that you have confidence, trust, and faith in yourself.

Ways to build up Self-Respect

Self-Knowledge

The more you understand and appreciate your uniqueness, the more you will respect yourself. Discover and acknowledge your principles and talents. Make a list of essential activities and interests that you value.

Self-Forgiveness

A person with self-respect can practice self-forgiveness for things done in the past you are not proud of. Admit your responsibility for past errors in judgment and apologize to others if you have hurt them.

Know you’re human. People make mistakes. Making mistakes is how we learn, so accept them and forgive yourself.

Self-Acceptance

Find comfort in your skin. Learn to accept the person you are. Be happy with the things you like and be accepting of the parts of yourself you think are weak or less than perfect. (This does not mean you shun areas of necessary improvement. )

Stop thinking that you will only like yourself if you lose twenty pounds or learn to play the piano like a pro. Start loving the way you are right here and now.

Build up Self Confidence

Achieving self-respect is more challenging if you are unhappy with your work, hobbies, or appearance. Building confidence takes work.

Here are a few simple things you can do: maintain good posture, smile more, and concentrate on positive thoughts. Pay compliments to others and accept compliments with a simple ‘thank you.’

My favorite confidence builder is to build up present skills and develop new skills like tennis and cooking. To be able to do and learn more things is always a source of satisfaction and self-acceptance

Develop a Positive Attitude

Your thoughts about who you are will influence your chances for success in life. Even if things are not going great, be confident that something good will soon happen. Expect the best in everyday life and welcome what offers come to you.

“If you feel overly negative about everything and only imagine the worst in every situation, then you’re bound never to feel good about who you are or to give yourself the respect you deserve.” …Trudi Griffin

Stop Comparing Yourself with Others

One of the reasons you lack self-respect is because you feel inferior intellectually to someone else or feel bad because most of your friends are married or make more money than you do.

The important thing is to maintain your standards and work on achieving the goals you value.

Refuse to waste time thinking about what will impress friends on Facebook or fritter away your energy, worrying whether you made the right career choice.

It is better to succeed at doing what you want than follow a path everyone else has taken.

These six steps, followed with as much conscientiousness as you can muster, will do wonders for reinstalling a sense of dignity and self-worth.

“Strong people have a strong sense of self-worth and self-awareness; they don’t need the approval of others.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

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Conclusion

For those readers unfamiliar with my interest in self-worth, I came to it out of a desperate search for ways to reconstruct myself as an upstanding person. The observations about the six ways to grow self-respect constitute pathways to follow if you face the challenge of restoring your lost dignity or self-confidence. Rather than timidly standing aside in the face of contrary ideas, a self-respecting person responds to others in a dignified, robust, and transparent way. Finally, if you have self-respect, it helps others see and treat you with dignity and worth.

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