Know Your Value
The Power of Self-Respect
There’s a quiet strength in someone who knows their worth. Not in a loud, boastful way—but in the way they walk away from what no longer serves them, speak up for what they believe in, and hold space for themselves in a world that often tries to shrink them.
Knowing your value isn’t about ego. It’s about clarity.
It’s about understanding that your time, energy, and presence are valuable—and treating them that way. When you know your value, you stop over-explaining yourself. You stop settling for less than you deserve. You learn to say no without guilt, and yes without fear.
Self-respect is the armor that protects your sense of value. It shows up in the boundaries you set, the way you talk to yourself, and the people you allow into your life. Self-respect is not something you earn by achieving more, fixing yourself, or getting others to validate you. It starts the moment you decide: I’m worthy now. Just as I am.
Here are a few truths I’ve learned (and re-learned) about personal value and self-respect:
You are not required to stay in places where you’re not seen or valued. Whether it’s a job, relationship, or friendship—if it constantly leaves you feeling small or depleted, it might not be aligned with your worth.
Self-respect means disappointing others sometimes. You will not be able to please everyone and respect yourself at the same time. It’s okay if not everyone understands your boundaries. The right people will.
You teach others how to treat you by the way you treat yourself. If you constantly criticize yourself, ignore your needs, or allow poor treatment, people may take their cues from that. Be your own advocate first.
Knowing your value helps you choose, not just accept. When you know what you bring to the table, you’re not afraid to eat alone—or wait for the right people to join you.
In this current climate—where messages of “not enough” are woven into media, policies, and even our personal relationships—I hope each and every one of you reading this knows, deep down, that you have value. You are worthwhile. You are needed.
I’ll be honest: I still struggle with believing this about myself. It’s a journey. But every day, I strive to hold onto my worth a little tighter. I strive to value myself not just in words, but in action. And in doing so, I hope I can show up more fully—not only for myself, but for the communities I care about.
Because when we remember our worth, we become harder to silence, harder to break—and more powerful in the love and change we can offer the world.
Know your value. Act accordingly. And if you forget, I’ll remind you.
