A key element of "self-worth" is "self-respect."
We're taught from a young age to "be respectful," but why is that? Respecting someone means that you make sure your behavior reflects that you value them. You see their worth, and therefore you treat them well.
If you respect someone, you listen to them, care about their opinions, and want the best for their well-being. These behaviors reinforce that this person has worth in your eyes.
Can you honestly say that you treat yourself respectfully? People who struggle with low self-worth usually treat themselves with a lack of self-respect. What can that look like?
4 Habits That Can Damage Your Self-Respect:
1) Letting other people’s perception of you shape how you feel about yourself. It's normal to be pleased when someone approves of you, or to be disappointed if they don't. If, however, you find yourself constantly chasing the high of being liked, or feeling devasted by the idea that you aren't, you may be an “approval addict.” It sounds like you equate the love, acceptance, or praise of someone else with whether or not you are worthy of respect. Instead, it's important to remind yourself of your value and that you deserve respect no matter what you think others feel about you.
2) Speaking badly about yourself. Saying things like, “I’m such mess," "I'm a loser," "I'm so stupid," "I'm not good at anything," "I don't know what I'm doing," "Nobody loves me," or "I hate myself,” isn't respectful. Even if you mean them as a joke, repeating these phrases will eventually take root and become what you believe about yourself. Instead, try saying, “I am working on ____,” or "I want to get better at ____." Try imagining how you would speak to a person you love and respect, even when they've messed up.
3) Trying to be or do anything you don’t wish to be or do, in order to gain someone's love, approval, or friendship. If someone is pressuring or forcing you to behave in a way that doesn't feel true to your values, they do not respect you, nor do they deserve your respect. If you feel unsafe refusing someone's demands or expectations of you, it's possible that you're in a toxic or abusive relationship. Seek help, and get out of that situation. Consistenly engagaging in activities that don't mesh with your true identity and values will slowly erode your self-respect because you are teaching your mind that your true self does not deserve to be listened to or trusted. Trust yourself. Be yourself. Make up your own mind about who you are!
4) Violating your own moral code. In order to do that, however, you kneed to first know and understand your own moral code. Build a habit of spending time with yourself every so often to reflect on what you believe and value. That way, you can know yourself well enough to make decisions that align with your code. Stand firm, hold true to your convictions, and you'll be able to respect yourself for sticking to your beliefs.