What is Self-Worth & How Do You Measure It

Hi friend, how do you measure your worth? Ok, that’s a pretty deep question to start this conversation. But it definitely is a question that we should really address.

What exactly is self-worth?

According dictionary.com, self-worth is defined as: the sense of one’s own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.

It is the measure of how much we think we are “worthy” as a person. With this “worth,” we can feel more confident and we can feel justified with what we’re doing and who we are in this world.

How much of “self-worth” do you think you have? 

How much self-worth do you think you have? What do you use to measure your self-worth? I got really curious and dug up some of the most common answers on Google.

Turns out,  you can very easily measure their self-worth based on:

• your appearance
• your grades
• # of likes on your photo
• your education
• your weight
• your income
• your past relationships
• How much you are loved in a relationship
• Your job title
• what your parents think about you

Chances are you’ve probably based your self worth on at least one, if not many of these before.I also found a big one for many goal-getters: you base your self worth on your productivity.

This is quite true, because I know that on days when I’m productive, I feel on top of the world. But on some days if I do not get much done, I just want to curl up into a ball and cry (…can you relate to this?)

What’s one common thread here across all of these factors?

They are all based on something external.

We all seek external validation through tangible items and people in order to feel good and feel truly enough with ourselves. We base our self-worth on seeing results and on how much we produce. We base it on seeing how we present ourselves in front of others and what they might think about us.

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Self-worth cannot be measured.

Today, I want to offer a gentle reminder for myself, and for those of you who need it right now: self worth cannot be measured.

Why? Because there was never anything to base it from in the first place.

In the media and in our society today, we are taught that we must keep doing more, being more, living more, because we are not “enough” right now.

I want to challenge that.

I would like to argue that since the very beginning, you are already whole and complete. You have already been more than enough. It’s just that as we grow up, along the way we experience “triggers” and “events” that make us believe otherwise.

Dear friend, it was never about meeting those expectations so you can be “enough” for yourself and for those around you.

It has ALWAYS been about learning to unlearn those external things that define who you are, and to finally peel off all those external factors so you can realize that deep down, at the very core, you have already been enough since the very beginning.

You should not try to feel enough. Because you already are.

You just need to realize and truly embody that. It comes from your commitment to believe in yourself and your love for yourself. It comes from being gentle with yourself. It comes from being your own biggest cheerleader.

“ How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” – Rupi Kaur

Because self-worth comes from within.

You have always, and will always, be so much more than enough. Read this again, and again, if you have to.

Rooting for you,

Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.