The Problem with Low Self-Worth and a Lack of Purpose

Do you ever feel like you’re going through the motions in life, without a clear sense of purpose or direction? Do you struggle with feelings of low self-worth, which make it difficult to pursue your goals and dreams?

If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with these issues, but there is hope.

When we lack self-worth and a sense of purpose in life, we may feel lost, aimless, and unfulfilled. We may struggle to set and achieve goals, and we may not feel like we’re making a meaningful contribution to the world. This can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and depression.

Studies have shown that low self-worth can be detrimental to one’s mental and emotional health. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that individuals with low self-worth have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety symptoms (Orth & Robins, 2014).

This is because when we don’t value ourselves, we may struggle to believe in our abilities and worthiness, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Moreover, individuals with low self-worth may struggle to form meaningful connections with others, leading to loneliness and social isolation (Besser & Priel, 2010).

It is crucial to note that low self-worth is not a permanent condition and can be improved with effort and practice. Building self-worth and aligning with one’s life purpose can be transformative and lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

The Benefits of Building Self-Worth and Aligning with Your Life Purpose

Building self-worth and aligning with your life purpose can have a profound impact on your life. Having a sense of purpose can provide direction and meaning in one’s life.

Research has shown that individuals who have a strong sense of purpose are more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as greater life satisfaction, better mental health, and higher levels of well-being (Steger, Frazier, Oishi, & Kaler, 2006).

When we have a clear purpose in life, we are more likely to feel motivated, engaged, and fulfilled. Moreover, having a sense of purpose can help us cope with difficult situations and setbacks.

A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals who reported having a sense of purpose in life were better able to cope with stress and adversity (Hill & Turiano, 2014). This is because when we have a clear purpose, we are better able to put challenges into perspective and find meaning in difficult experiences.

As such, when you value yourself and have a clear sense of purpose, you’re more likely to:

• • • Set and achieve meaningful goals.
    • Experience greater happiness and life satisfaction.
    • Have more fulfilling relationships.
    • Be more resilient in the face of challenges.
    • Experience greater mental and emotional well-being.

Steps to Build Self-Worth and Align with Your Life Purpose

If you don’t feel validated in why you do what you do, you will seek validation from others and external situations.

For instance, if you don’t feel that your life or your work has any purpose or meaning, you will seek to find meaning and purpose in things other than yourself, external things.

Your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours will therefore reflect this attitude, which will be needy and self-serving. Either your craving for meaning and purpose will cause you to hunger for it, or cynicism will get the better of you and you’ll just give up. You’ll convince yourself that life has no meaning, so why should you bother anyway?

If you hunger for purpose and meaning in external things, you will hunt with false hope, little realising that you will never capture what you are hunting because nothing can give you purpose and meaning other than yourself.

Purpose and meaning can only be achieved with any permanence through self-love because love is the ultimate purpose and meaning of life.

Only you can love yourself. Only you can love what you do. Only you can love others as yourself. Only you can love Life.

No one else can love for you. Nothing else can give you meaning.

So, if you’re ready to build self-worth and align with your life purpose, here are some steps you can take:

1. Practice self-compassion

Start by treating yourself with kindness and compassion.

When you make a mistake or experience a setback, offer yourself words of encouragement and support, rather than criticism and blame.

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.”  ~ Christopher Germer, psychologist and author.

2. Identify your values and strengths

Take some time to reflect on your values and strengths. What do you care about most in life, and what are you good at?

Use this information to guide your choices and actions.

“When you know what you stand for, it makes it easier to make decisions and take action.”  ~ Simon Sinek, author and speaker.

3. Set meaningful goals

Set goals that align with your values and purpose in life.

Make sure they’re challenging enough to stretch you, but not so difficult that they feel overwhelming.

“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favour.”  ~ Brian Tracy, author and speaker.

4. Take action

Take consistent action towards your goals, even if it’s just small steps each day.

Celebrate your progress along the way and stay committed to your vision.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  ~ Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister.

By building self-worth and aligning with your life purpose, you can experience greater happiness, fulfillment, and success in life.

It’s never too late to start. Take these steps today and see what a difference it can make. Here are 5 tips to help you do this:

5 Tips for Self-WORTH

#1: WELCOME the good and the bad along your path to your worthy goal—they are lessons you need to learn along the way.

#2: OFFER to help whenever you see a need—there’s a reason you are where you are at any given moment.

#3: REMEMBER that who you are and what you do matters, even if it’s difficult to see.

#4: TREASURE each moment as the gift of life that it is.

#5: HONOUR your purpose by remaining true to the path of your worthy goal.