Do you ever find yourself settling for less than you deserve—whether it’s in relationships, at work, or in life overall? You might be lacking self-worth.
You dream of more, but there’s always an excuse holding you back?
Navigate to where you want to go:
- Introduction
- 1. You Let Others Walk All Over You
- 2.You Stay in Unhealthy Relationship
- 3. You Don’t Pursue Opportunities Because You Feel Unworthy
- 4. You Over-Accommodate Just to Be Liked
- 5. You Make Excuses Instead of Taking Action
- 6. Let’s Be Super Honest With Ourselves
- 7. You Struggle to Accept Compliments or Kindness
- 8. You Fear Rejection More Than You Desire Growth
- 9. You Prioritize Everything (and Everyone) but Yourself
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
Often, the root cause of low self-worth is a lack of self-love or a belief that you’re not worthy of better.
But here’s the truth: staying in your comfort zone, tolerating less, or making excuses will never lead to growth or fulfillment.
Let’s have a look at the common signs you might be holding yourself back and practical ways to stop making excuses and move forward:
1. You Let Others Walk All Over You
Do you constantly say “yes” to things you don’t want to do, just to keep the peace? If you tolerate disrespect or avoid confrontation, you’re giving away your power.
What to do: Start setting boundaries. Learn to say “no” when needed.
Respecting yourself teaches others to respect you too.
2. You Stay in Unhealthy Relationships
Whether it’s a toxic romantic partner, friend, or family member, staying in these relationships often stems from believing it’s the best you can get.
Well, let me tell you—it’s not!
Relationships are one of the most important aspects of your life. They should be with people who stand by you in both good times and bad, those who help you grow, and those who inspire you to become a better version of yourself every single day. Never take healthy, supportive relationships for granted, and always make the effort to nurture them.
You deserve meaningful, uplifting connections that add value to your life.
What to do: Ask yourself, “If someone I love were in my situation, what advice would I give them?” Listen to your own wisdom and prioritize your emotional health. Setting boundaries is one of the most important things in healthy relationship.
3. You Don’t Pursue Opportunities Because You Feel Unworthy
Do you avoid applying for better jobs or pursuing your goals because you don’t believe you’re qualified or deserving?
This mindset keeps you stuck and diminishes your self-worth.
What to do: Rewrite your inner narrative.
Challenge the belief that you’re “not enough.” Start small—apply for a role you think might be a stretch or take a step toward a dream you’ve been holding off on.
I can tell you, I have never regretted applying for a job I didn’t get or pursuing something I just wanted to try.
Sure, sometimes it felt uncomfortable, awkward, or unfamiliar, but every single time, I learned something valuable.
Failure doesn’t make you less worthy. What’s harder to live with is the realization that your life could have been different if only you had taken the leap and tried.
4. You Over-Accommodate Just to Be Liked
Do you bend over backward to please others, even when it’s draining or inconvenient? This often comes from seeking external validation and neglecting your own self-worth.
Yes, the idea is clear, but here’s a polished version for better impact and flow:
So many of us fall into this trap—seeking validation from others is one of the most common yet unhelpful things we do.
Listen to this: You need to love yourself first. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s the truth. Everything starts with the relationship you have with yourself.
What to do: Shift your focus to liking yourself. Take time for things that bring you joy—whether it’s a hobby, rest, or self-care. It’s not selfish, it is healthy and unnecessary.
5. You Make Excuses Instead of Taking Action
How can you truly own your decisions if you’re making excuses? You can’t.
This is a big one. I sometimes catch myself making excuses to myself—how silly is that?
You say you want to make a change, but there’s always a reason why you can’t: “I’m too tired,” “I don’t have time,” or “It’s not the right moment.” But deep down, you know that’s not the real issue.
I see and hear this every day: “I’d love to do this, but…” Here’s an example: I get up at 6 a.m. to go to the gym. Do I love getting up early? Not really. Some mornings, I’d rather stay in bed. But I do it because I’ve prioritized my health and fitness. Could I sleep longer? Sure. But I’ve adjusted my schedule to make it work.
It’s not about whether you can or can’t—it’s about choosing.
If something is truly important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not, be honest with yourself and admit, “This is not a priority for me right now.” That’s okay too. What matters is taking ownership of your choices, rather than hiding behind excuses.
6. Let’s Be Super Honest With Ourselves
Here’s the hard truth: you cannot complain about not being in good shape if you spend your afternoons on the couch watching TV.
There’s nothing wrong with unwinding in front of the screen, but it’s not going to help you get lean, strong, or healthy if that’s what you want to achieve. The same principle applies to every area of your life.
You cannot expect to have a strong, fulfilling relationship if you’re not investing time and effort into it. These things don’t happen by chance—they require intention, effort, and consistent action.
This is where we can lean into The Law of Cause and Effect—a universal law that emphasizes how every action (or lack of action) has a corresponding result.
What you put into your health, your relationships, or your personal growth is exactly what you’ll get out of it.
No action leads to no results. It’s that simple.
Accepting this truth is empowering because it puts the responsibility and the power back in your hands.
If you make excuses, it’s either because you’re not aware of what you truly want or who you are, or you’re afraid to admit it. You don’t have to be that person. You are strong, and what you want matters.
7. You Struggle to Accept Compliments or Kindness
When someone praises or helps you, do you brush it off or feel uncomfortable? This often stems from deep-seated feelings of unworthiness.
What to do: Practice saying, “Thank you.” Accept compliments and kindness without deflecting—it’s a small but powerful step toward valuing yourself.
With time, you’ll start believing more and more that people mean what they say. You’ll also feel more comfortable accepting gratitude for various reasons.
Of course, some expressions of thanks are merely polite, but many will be genuine. When you receive a heartfelt “thank you,” it truly means something.
8. You Fear Rejection More Than You Desire Growth
Do you avoid taking risks—applying for a job, starting a project, or sharing your feelings—because you’re scared of failure or rejection? Fear keeps you stuck.
I know I did. There were so many times I didn’t apply for a job I really wanted simply because it was easier than actually trying—and yes, potentially facing rejection. Several times, for sure. And how many times did I not approach someone I wanted to meet for the same reason? Far too many.
I was terrified of the outcome, imagining the worst in my head without any real proof or evidence.
But how can you ever know if you don’t try?
What to do: Reframe failure as an opportunity to grow. Every rejection is a step closer to the “yes” you’re looking for. Take small risks to build confidence over time.
Rejection is protection.
Rejection is redirection.
9. You Prioritize Everything (and Everyone) but Yourself
We all have 24 hours in a day—it’s how you prioritize them that matters.
If you’re constantly putting others first or spreading yourself too thin, it’s no surprise you feel stuck. The reality is, you can’t prioritize EVERYTHING.
What to do: Get clear on what you truly want. You. What do you want?
If something is a priority, align your time and energy with it. If it’s not, stop making excuses and own your decision. For example, instead of saying, “I just don’t have time to start that side project,” be honest and say, “Right now, I’m prioritizing my family or my health instead.” It’s valid, and it’s freeing to admit what matters most to you.
Final Thoughts
Low self-worth, comfort zones, and excuses are sneaky—they hold us back while convincing us we’re doing the right thing.
But staying in one place, making excuses, or settling for less will never bring the happiness or fulfillment you’re craving.
The truth is, you can change your life.
The only question is: are you willing to prioritize what truly matters and take action?
Stop giving yourself excuses—they don’t help. Instead, get honest with yourself.
Accept what you want, align your choices with those desires, and take the first step.
You’re capable of more than you believe. Choose growth, and your future self will thank you.
III If you’re looking for guidance in strengthening your self-worth, “Worthy“ by Jamie Kern Lima provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you embrace your value and take charge of your life. III
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