People who don’t love themselves are more likely to tolerate these 8 things

It’s often said that the relationship we have with ourselves sets the tone for every other relationship we have.

So what if that self-treatment is drenched in self-doubt and harsh criticism? What if self-love is nowhere to be found?

When people don’t love themselves, they are far more likely to tolerate certain behaviors, situations, and attitudes that can negatively impact their overall wellbeing.

In this article, we will explore these factors – the things individuals with low self-love often endure, which they shouldn’t.

This piece aims to shed light on these issues in hopes that recognizing them can be the first step towards fostering a healthier self-image and cultivating self-love.

1) Accepting of poor treatment from others

You’re in a relationship – it could be personal, professional, or even familial – where the other person constantly belittles you, undermines your self-esteem, and generally treats you poorly.

Yet, you find yourself making excuses for their behavior. You convince yourself that it’s normal, or perhaps you even believe that you deserve it.

Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone.

When self-love is lacking, we may accept treatment that is far below what we deserve, rationalizing the behavior or even blaming ourselves. The harsh reality is that no one deserves to be mistreated.

Those who truly love themselves prioritize their happiness and well-being. They recognize their worth and refuse to accept poor treatment.

Self-love means setting boundaries and demanding respect, understanding that being alone is far preferable to being in a relationship that erodes your spirit.

2) Disregarding personal health and well-being

According to a quote by Buddha, “To keep the body in good health is a duty… Otherwise, we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” 

When self-love is missing from our lives, we can easily overlook the importance of taking care of our bodies and minds.

This can manifest in various ways – from neglecting regular exercise and a healthy diet to ignoring signs of stress or mental fatigue.

The harsh reality is that without sufficient self-love, you may feel undeserving of good health or believe that other tasks are more worthy of your time and energy. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Your health is your wealth. It’s essential for your overall happiness and productivity. Respect your body by giving it the right nourishment, rest, and exercise it needs.

Find time for self-care activities that rejuvenate your mind and spirit. Self-love is the best love, and it starts with caring for your health and well-being.

3) Settling for less than you deserve

Let’s get real for a moment.

How many times have you settled for something less than what you truly desire? How often have you accepted a job, a relationship, or a lifestyle that doesn’t fulfill you, just because it’s comfortable or safe?

We’ve all been there at some point. But when we don’t love ourselves, we often settle for less than we deserve. We convince ourselves that it’s all we can get, or that it’s good enough. But is it really?

It’s time to challenge that mindset.

You are worthy of everything you desire. You are capable of achieving more than you think possible. But to do that, you need to believe in yourself and your worth. You need to stop settling for less and start striving for more.

So the next time you find yourself settling, ask yourself: Is this really what I want? Or am I just afraid to reach for something better?

The only person who can truly limit your potential is yourself. Don’t be that person. Start demanding more from life and watch how things change.

4) Forgetting to celebrate your unique journey

Every individual has a unique journey, complete with highs and lows, triumphs and failures. When we lack self-love, we overlook our own victories while celebrating others’ achievements.

We belittle our progress, undermine our accomplishments, and forget to celebrate our unique path.

What if I told you there’s a powerful tool to help you reconnect with your accomplishments and boost your self-love?

Yes, it’s true.

I’ve created a video that introduces a transformative mirror exercise featuring five powerful questions to enhance self-love and improve your relationship with yourself.

Give it a watch:

YouTube video

This exercise encourages you to directly face your reflection and ask yourself these questions, allowing you to dig deep into your inner strengths, celebrate your victories, and cultivate self-love.

If you find this exercise beneficial and you’re interested in more insights around living with purpose and freedom, feel free to delve deeper into my philosophy.

You can do so by clicking here. The journey towards self-love is a continuous process, but every step you take brings you closer to embracing your true self.

5) Neglecting the power of creativity

Creativity is mistakenly seen as a trait reserved for artists, musicians, or writers. In reality, it’s a fundamental aspect of our humanity, present in everyone.

Without self-love, we may undervalue our own creative potential. This can lead to hesitation in expressing our unique ideas due to fear of judgment or rejection.

We may stick to what feels safe and familiar, overlooking the innovative solutions and perspectives within us.

Creativity goes beyond creating art or groundbreaking ideas. It involves finding unique solutions to everyday problems, viewing situations from fresh perspectives, and embracing the limitless possibilities of our minds.

When creative instincts are stifled, it’s important to step back and allow exploration, experimentation, and making mistakes.

Embracing unique ideas and perspectives and sharing them with the world can unlock creative potential.

6) Overlooking the impact of your financial decisions

The way we handle our finances can be a reflection of how we feel about ourselves.

A lack of self-love can result in financial choices that stray from our core values. This might involve splurging on unnecessary items for temporary comfort or overlooking opportunities for personal growth.

Did you know that roughly 80% of Americans are caught up in the chains of debt? This not only creates financial stress but also takes a toll on self-esteem and personal freedom.

Prosperity goes beyond accumulating wealth. It involves making financial decisions that align with our values and using money to create a positive impact.

This includes nurturing a sense of purpose, creativity, and ethical engagement with the economy.

Before making a financial decision, take a moment to reflect on whether it aligns with your values and supports your overall well-being. Each choice reflects your self-worth and the kind of world you want to shape.

7) Accepting a life without genuine connections

We’re social beings by nature, and our relationships with others play a significant role in our overall well-being and happiness.

Without self-love, it’s easy to settle for relationships that lack depth, authenticity, and mutual respect.

We might find ourselves surrounded by people who don’t truly value or understand us. Despite being among others, loneliness can still creep in. Genuine connections might feel elusive due to a fear of rejection or judgment.

Authentic relationships are grounded in mutual respect, empathy, and understanding. As Brené Brown wisely stated, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”

Building these connections requires vulnerability, the courage to share our true selves, and the acceptance of others as they are.

8) Ignoring the lessons from failures

Many of us are conditioned to view failure as something negative, something to avoid at all costs. When self-love is lacking, we may accept a life of avoiding risks and challenges due to a fear of failure.

Failure is a crucial part of growth and learning. Each setback or obstacle offers a chance to learn, adapt, and evolve. Through these experiences, we become stronger and more resilient.

Thomas Edison once remarked, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” He viewed each failure not as a defeat but as a step forward on the path to success.

Approach challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than seeing them as signs of personal inadequacy.

Embracing the journey towards self-love

If you find yourself resonating with the points shared in this article, understand that it’s a sign of self-awareness, which is the first step towards change.

Here’s the good news: You are not alone and you don’t have to live a life dictated by these patterns of behavior.

With conscious effort, these aspects can be transformed into stepping stones on your journey towards self-love and personal freedom. The key is aligning your choices with your core values and prioritizing your own needs.

Start by identifying situations where you’re tolerating less than what you deserve. Notice when you’re neglecting your personal growth, or when you’re settling for less due to fear or self-doubt. 

Once you become aware of these patterns, it becomes easier to pause and reflect in the moment. Ask yourself – is this truly what I want?

Does this decision align with my values? Am I honoring my authentic self by making this choice?

It won’t happen overnight. Change takes time and patience.

But every small step you take towards prioritizing your needs and living authentically contributes to building self-love and respect.

To further support your journey, I invite you to check out my new AI tool, Wake-Up Call.

Designed based on my library of online courses and YouTube videos, this tool helps to provide unique insights tailored to your current life situation.

All it requires is a question about some aspect of your life, and in return, it will offer you the most impactful advice needed for shifting from autopilot mode towards a more fulfilling life.

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Picture of Justin Brown

Justin Brown

I'm Justin Brown, the founder of Ideapod. I've overseen the evolution of Ideapod from a social network for ideas into a publishing and education platform with millions of monthly readers and multiple products helping people to think critically, see issues clearly and engage with the world responsibly.

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