Okay, let’s talk about self-respect.

Like, let’s really talk about it, because self-respect? It’s not this elusive thing that only a select few "enlightened" people have. It’s something we all need, and yeah, sometimes we kind of forget that.
So, self-respect. What is it, anyway? It’s basically the way you treat yourself, the value you place on yourself. Think of it like a relationship. You’re in a relationship with yourself—forever. (Wild, right?) So, wouldn’t you want that relationship to be a good one?
It’s like this: imagine if you had a friend who kept cancelling plans with you, or always made you feel bad about yourself. You wouldn’t put up with that. (Or at least, I hope you wouldn’t!) So, why do we do that to ourselves sometimes? We let ourselves down, make decisions that don’t align with who we really are, and somehow convince ourselves it’s fine. Spoiler: it’s not fine.

Self-respect is about deciding that you deserve better than that. And no, it’s not the same as being selfish or arrogant, those two get confused a lot, but they’re worlds apart. Self-respect is knowing your worth, setting boundaries, and not feeling guilty about it. It’s about having your own back, even when things get tough.

I’m not saying it’s easy. We all have those moments where we second-guess ourselves, or when we feel like we need to shrink a little to fit in with what people expect from us. It happens. But the trick is catching yourself in those moments and saying, “Wait, no. I deserve better than this.” And then following through.

That could look like standing up for yourself when someone disrespects you, or it could be something as simple as not overextending yourself just to please others. Sometimes it’s about saying, "No, I can’t do that right now," and not feeling guilty. And other times, it’s about showing up for yourself, taking care of yourself, like literally feeding yourself good food or taking time to rest because, hey, you deserve to feel good.

Self-respect is also about accepting that you’re a work in progress. You don’t have to be perfect (seriously, no one is). But you do have to show up for yourself with the same care and kindness you would give someone you love. Because here’s the truth: you can’t really love yourself without respecting yourself first. Respect is the foundation for everything else—confidence, self-worth, even happiness.
So, next time you find yourself in a situation where you’re tempted to put yourself last, remember this little conversation we’re having. Treat yourself like you matter, because you do. And I promise, once you start making self-respect non-negotiable in your life, you’ll feel a shift. You’ll start attracting people and opportunities that match the level of respect you give yourself.

And hey, it doesn’t have to be all serious and deep. Sometimes self-respect is just saying, “You know what? I’m pretty awesome,” and then carrying on with your day, knowing that you’re worth it.