I think that it's important to note that self-worth isn't always in relation to how you feel about your physical appearance.
That's a pretty big component of it, of course, but it isn't the only thing that most people have to deal with.
I've written about my own struggles with mental illness before, which you can read here if you haven't already. It's hard to be motivated to change when there's a pathological level of self-doubt boiling under every decision that I make. Anxiety speaks for me sometimes. I agree to situations in life that aren't good for me. I keep up connections I don't really want for fear of upsetting the other person, and I hang on to things that hurt me because I am so afraid of what I will be without them. It isn't pretty, and it makes each step a little harder.
Relationships aren't easy. The consistent reminder of love and the repetition of compliments are truly appreciated. Unfortunately, there is a certain level of distrust in both myself and others that comes with having anxiety, and that makes it difficult to believe anything positive. After a while, everything seems kind of empty. Constant push starts leading to a perceived absence of meaning.
There is nothing I want more than to say that I believe in myself.
I trust in my faith and works of creativity around me to renew what I know I already have. There's something there and I know it, but it's hard to dig in and make my way to an internal safe place. Nothing feels like it belongs to me, not even my own talents. Everything gets put behind a wall of sorts, and I can try relentlessly to break through. Unfortunately, most of the time this results in my sitting and staring at my computer screen, willing myself to write something that at least one person will like. It isn't very often that I think about that person being me.
Self-worth comes in here for those of us who don't trust ourselves. If we can start to trust our own abilities, then it's easier to take risks both with our work and with our personal lives. It isn't as hard to accept love and appreciation when we feel worthy of it, and that feeling doesn't come from anyone but ourselves.
Others can help though, and that's why isolation is never the answer. It sounds so good sometimes to hide away and ignore what has been given to us, because it's easier to stay away and avoid it entirely than to confront it with an open heart.
If you struggle with valuing your own strength, just know that each day you keep trying makes you stronger. It is so hard to find worth in a mind that struggles to even make sense of itself, much less begin to love its inherent flaws.
Finding a single moment of self-worth is everything to a lifetime of instability. Each and every moment of clarity is worth it.
Spend time with people and chase things that make you feel more clearly how much you're capable of.
That's the best thing there is.
