WHAT IS SELF-WORTH?


Self-worth is the sense of your own value as a person. It’s a gentle reflection of your intrinsic value, which makes you feel like you deserve respect and love despite what others think of you, your past struggles, or how much you’ve achieved. 


Unlike self-esteem, which often fluctuates with external successes, self-worth helps you recognize your inherent dignity and accept yourself as you are, with flaws and all. 


This February, we decided to focus on boosting this integral aspect of recovery. For anyone who’s going through a tough time, learning how to find their inherent worth can be a powerful step towards healing and growth.

Sometimes, despite our efforts, our self-worth drops without us even realizing it. This usually happens because of various factors happening in our lives. Here are some key factors that can lower your self-worth:



Abuse experiences of physical or emotional abuse, especially during formative years, can significantly damage self-esteem.


Negative mindset A persistent pessimistic attitude can overwhelm your mind with negative thoughts, which erode confidence and self-worth over time.


Life events Challenges such as failing tasks, changing jobs, or moving can trigger self-criticism and lower self-worth.


Toxic people Relationships with people who consistently undermine your value can erode your self-worth.


Social standards Pressure to meet societal expectations can lead to constant comparisons and diminished self-worth.

6 ways to boost self-worth

1. Write a list of things you like about yourself


Believe it or not, creating a list of things you appreciate about yourself can be a transformative exercise. It's a moment to pause and reflect on your strengths, achievements, and unique qualities. Even though it may feel awkward at first, this simple act will remind you of your value, especially on days when self-doubt creeps in. 


So, choose affirmations that resonate personally, not just generic ones. Reflect on these when negative thoughts arise and focus on what you genuinely appreciate and admire about yourself. 


2. Stop comparing yourself to others


When your self-worth is low, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. This usually leads to feelings of inadequacy, especially when viewing seemingly perfect lives on social media. Remember, these platforms often showcase the best moments, not the everyday struggles. 


Limiting exposure to social media can help you break this cycle. When using social media, remind yourself that what you see is just a fraction of someone's life, not your own. Celebrate your precious moments and recognize that you don’t have the same standards. Your value is independent of anyone else's path.


3. Forgive yourself for past mistakes


It's a vital step in rebuilding self-worth. Maybe in the past, you judged yourself and others too harshly, but it's important to accept this and move forward. This act of self-forgiveness is a powerful expression of self-compassion and resilience — key components in the recovery process. Everyone makes mistakes. But if you move past them, you’ll build a healthier relationship with yourself. 


4. Don’t be hard on yourself

The path to healing is already filled with enough challenges, so it's important not to add to them by being hard on yourself. Especially for those in recovery, each day can bring its own set of struggles and triumphs. 


Be kind to yourself and acknowledge the strength it takes to face each day. Celebrate the small steps and understand that setbacks are not failures but part of the process. 


5. Keep boundaries in your relationships

Reflect on what boundaries you need in both personal and professional settings. Surround yourself with people who respect you as a person, support your growth, and positively affect your well-being. Letting go of negative people isn't easy, but it's crucial for maintaining the healthy environment that you need for effective healing. So, be prepared for situations where your boundaries might be tested.



6. Set realistic goals

When your goals are too ambitious, your chances of failing them increase, and as a result, you might experience feelings of disappointment and inadequacy. That’s why you should aim to set achievable, realistic goals that are in line with your current situation and capabilities. 


Break these goals into smaller, actionable steps to make them more manageable. Celebrate each small success along the way, as these accomplishments build confidence and self-worth.

Get Support, You Deserve It


If you’re struggling with your self-worth, don’t be afraid to seek support. After all, the fact that you recognize you need help already means you’re on your path to improving your sense of self.


Siyan Clinical Research is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. Reach out to us for help in setting goals, building self-worth, and managing your recovery. 

Announcements

This monthly Recovery Newsletter is now a part of our new endeavor to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Program (CCBHC), funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Topics will range from addressing managing mental health as well as substance abuse. To learn more about Siyan becoming a CCBHC, please visit: https://siyanresearch.org/CCBHC/


NEW September 2023 - Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Siyan Care

 

If you or a loved one are seeking support on the path to recovery, we are here to help. There are times when individuals are faced with crises or an increase in psychiatric symptoms and hospitalization is not necessary or no longer required, but outpatient services such as weekly or biweekly therapy appointments are not sufficient to meet the individual’s needs.

 

In these situations, Siyan Care offers IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) levels of care. IOP is appropriate as a step up when other therapy and psychiatric support services are not sufficient in managing symptoms or providing needed structure and support. IOP meets 3 days per week for 3 hours per day of group therapy, with 1:1 counseling sessions and monthly psychiatry appointments for medication management. To learn more about Siyan Care, please visit: https://siyanclinical.com/intensive-outpatient-program-iop/


If you or someone you love would like to schedule an evaluation to see whether you are a fit for the CCBHC program, please contact us at 707-206-7268 or email psychresearch@siyanclinical.com to enroll. We are accepting new patients and accept most insurances including Medi-Cal and Medicare for our CCBHC program.


Every conversation is confidential and we offer telehealth. One day at a time.


Sincerely,


The CCBHC Team

Disclaimer: This product was supported [in part] by grant number H79SM086652 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or polices of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

SIYAN CLINICAL RESEARCH | [CCBHC]

Facebook  X  Youtube  Linkedin