Low self-esteem & relationships: How are they related?

How does self-esteem affect your relationships?

Knowing your worth is critical to building strong and consistent bonds. Therefore, a significant lack of self-esteem can lead to the following relationship problems:

• Poor relationship choices
   Low self-esteem may cause you to settle for less in a relationship. You may feel that you don’t deserve a partner who treats you well and end up in relationships with people who aren’t right for you.
• Not being yourself
  If you have a constant fear of rejection and feelings of inadequacy, you may try to present yourself differently to your partner and behave in ways that contradict your principles or attitudes.
• Jealous and insecure behaviors
  Your low self-esteem may lead to negative expectations in your relationships. For example, you may feel that you don’t deserve your partner or that they may cheat on you or leave you because you are not good enough. You need constant reassurance: you may be constantly seeking approval or reassurance from your partner, trying to prove to yourself that you are worthy and lovable. Unfortunately, such attempts are often unsuccessful and may even cause your partner to withdraw.
• You have difficulty asserting yourself
  Wenn Sie glauben, nicht gut oder wertvoll genug zu sein, glauben Sie wahrscheinlich auch, dass Ihre Bedürfnisse keine Rolle spielen. Möglicherweise ignorieren Sie Ihre eigenen Wünsche und Sehnsüchte in der Beziehung, was oft zu Groll und Verbitterung führt.

Can low self-esteem ruin a relationship?

Low self-esteem can have an immense impact on the success of your relationship. If you feel like you are worthless or unlovable, it can be hard for everyone else to see your true worth and love you for who you are. And then sometimes the people who are in relationship with you feel like they are doing something wrong.

For example, you may be overly needy in your relationship and constantly try to smother your partner to get their validation and attention. Unfortunately, such behaviors are more likely to cause partners to distance themselves from the relationship and doubt their feelings for you. Similarly, if you ignore your own needs for too long, you become passive-aggressive or bitter towards your partner.

What are the 4 signs of low self-esteem?

Are you wondering if you or someone close to you is struggling with low self-confidence and self-esteem? Here are some behaviors to watch out for:

• Sensitivity to criticism
  People with low self-esteem are particularly sensitive to perceived criticism. They often take everything to heart and feel inadequate or incompetent at the slightest sign of disapproval from others. This can be a problem in both romantic and professional relationships.
• Putting yourself down and idealizing others
  If you struggle with self-confidence, you may find it difficult to control your inner critic, but you tend to see other people in a highly idealized light. You may feel that everyone else is ahead of you, has more desirable qualities, and is much more successful than you, even though this is not necessarily true.
• Social withdrawal
  Because of your feelings of inadequacy, you may withdraw from your social circle to avoid hurt and shame. When you are alone, you don’t have to worry about other people’s opinions of you. You can only feel competent when you are free from their expectations.
• Inability to take risks
  Your fear of failure and lack of self-confidence may cause you to stay in your safety bubble and never look outside. You may take life slowly, thereby avoiding opportunities that could bring you immense benefit and joy, whether in your emotional or professional life.

How do you deal with low self-esteem in a relationship?

If low self-esteem has caused a lot of pain and discomfort in your relationships, don’t worry. Your self-esteem is not set in stone. We’ll explain what you can do to boost your self-esteem:

• Turn off your inner critic
  Catch your negative thoughts and try to counter them with thoughts that are more realistic and rational. You need to learn to be less hard on yourself and practice self-care.
• Find a hobby
  Focus on yourself instead of constantly seeking validation from your partner. Finding a hobby where you can play to your strengths will boost your confidence and improve your relationship with your partner.
• Get professional help
  If your low self-esteem keeps putting a strain on your relationship, it may be time to get support from relationship coaches. They can help you understand the causes of your low self-esteem and support you on your journey to reach your potential.