How to respect yourself

Respecting yourself goes beyond safeguarding or addressing self-esteem. It has to do with full acceptance of oneself and also with the ability to lead a lifestyle according to one’s own needs. Although it may surprise us, it is interesting to know that we are facing a forgotten and even neglected concept when it comes to our education.

In general, we live in a society that respects the rights of others. A respect that is the backbone of educational systems; If one child attacks another, the aggressor is usually punished. However, They do not always explain to us the importance of respecting ourselves. As a result of this small educational gap, it is common for more than one problem to arise.

There are those who do not respect themselves, for example, but they do not respect others either. The reverse can also happen: assuming that what others want or expect is more important than what we may need. The key, as we can deduce, is to combine this psychological dimension that is so relevant to human beings.

The idea has been projected to us for a long time that we must pay attention to self-esteem, that we have forgotten about self-respect.

Keys to respect yourself

This information may surprise more than one of you. Psychology has not given the attention it should to the concept of self-respect. In fact, what has happened over several decades is that the dimension of self-esteem has been overemphasized. Self-help literature has sold tons on this topic, convincing us that, without it, we are almost lost.

And indeed, Self-esteem is a vital component for psychological well-being, but self-respect is the cement that gives it solidity.. Thus, and as we well know, the first has to do with the evaluation we make of ourselves. This perception of one’s own self is built, in many cases, based on our environment and the messages that are sent to us from our own family, friends and society.

Well, the truth is that While self-esteem asks you for reasons to love yourself, self-respect only demands that you accept yourself as you are. Nothing else. With your greatness and defects, with your potential and limitations. Thus, researchers such as Constance E. Roland and Richard M. Foxx highlight how the art of respecting yourself has been a recurring theme in philosophy since Aristotle.

In this dimension it was defined as the ability to think and act in a way that one could safeguard one’s autonomy, have self-control and be tenacious in life. Who wouldn’t like to develop these exceptional qualities a little more? Let’s see how.

Love yourself for who you are and not so much for who you could be.

Many self-help books urge us to develop our best version. To surpass ourselves. To feel proud of everything we achieve. It is true that we all have the full right to improve in whatever area of ​​life we ​​want. However, Love for ourselves cannot depend exclusively on what we achieve or fail to achieve.

The affection for one’s own being must be unconditional and for this, we must stop evaluating ourselves so much. Let’s love ourselves for who we already are, we will take a great weight off our shoulders.

What others need is not more important than what you need.

It is very good to support and comfort a friend when they are suffering. It is also acceptable and common to be close to our family during difficult times. Even more, it is logical and evident that we are 24/7 focused on the needs of our partner, children, etc.

However, respecting oneself also requires remembering that we are also a priority. We cannot give everything until we run out of energy, courage and dignity. Let us not assume the role of supporting actor in the theater of our life.

Accept that we have weaknesses that may never improve

There are numerous workhorses for psychological well-being and one is self-demand. The person who seeks to iron out his defects, who does not tolerate making mistakes and flagellates himself for them, does not respect himself. As contradictory as it may seem to us, it is okay to assume that we all have defects, weaknesses and limitations that we can never correct.

What’s more, these small and supposed imperfections give us greater authenticity. Accepting our lights and shadows, without resisting them, also reinforces our self-esteem..

Expressing what you want is not disrespectful

If you want to respect yourself, put your assertiveness into practice. Saying what you think, what you feel and need in each circumstance is not a form of belittling others. It is a strategy of relational harmony. Expressing with respect what we do not consider fair or exposing our thoughts safely and respectfully does not hurt anyone. On the contrary.

Be faithful to your values ​​in any circumstance

There is another decisive value in the practice of self-respect. It has to do with being consistent with ourselves in each circumstance. By doing what we say, by saying what we think and thinking what we consider without outside mediation. Respecting yourself is living in tune with your values, without anyone imposing on you others who are not in tune with you.

People who respect themselves enjoy better mental well-being.

Taking care of yourself is respecting yourself

When was the last time you spent a day doing what you really wanted? Have you ever let go of a friendship or relationship that caused you more stress than balance? Another one… What have you done today to feel good? Although it may surprise you, these dimensions also map and shape the valuable exercise of respecting yourself.

Getting away from what takes away our peace and extinguishes our potential, taking care of ourselves and giving ourselves quality time are tasks that we should not leave pending.. So tell us, are you respecting yourself as you should, or is it time to make a change?

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