Manifestations of Low Self-Worth
When you hear this topic today, you might think, “Here we go, another article that makes you want to run away—a generic self-help concept, very hypothetical, and lacking clarity or practical advice.”
But you’d be wrong. If you don’t know me, I’m a hypnotherapist specialising in low self-worth and its many manifestations. I also rely heavily on research and am passionate about making every concept I discuss highly practical.
When we are born, we are our fully authentic selves. We never question whether we are worthy of our parents' love or our mother’s milk; we effortlessly ask and receive. So how do we go from being fully authentic to experiencing low self-worth? Things happen to us—events we call traumas. These lead us to create beliefs about ourselves and the world, and as we grow into adults, these beliefs often result in feelings of unworthiness.
The dictionary defines the verb “to manifest” as the act of demonstrating or displaying. A manifestation of something is one of the many ways in which it can appear.
Different people experience different manifestations of low self-worth. I will explore these varied expressions, shedding light on their hidden forms, and conclude with insights for healing and growth.
How does a lack of self-worth show up in our lives?
It appears in our choices. We choose careers, close relationships, living conditions, and more. When faced with someone who is emotionally abusive or primarily interested in taking without giving, some people move on quickly, while others stay for months, years, or even a lifetime. What determines this response is where we fall on the spectrum of self-worth.
It shows in our self-talk. Recently, I was rejected by someone I was interested in. Ten years ago, my thoughts would have been, “What’s wrong with me?” “Am I not pretty enough?” “It must be because of that awkward thing I said,” and so on. But this week, my response was very different: “Oh, I wonder why we weren’t aligned? Maybe he feels insecure around me? Or maybe I’m just not his type—after all, I can’t be everyone’s type. Perhaps he has unresolved issues, like the famous ‘mother wound,’ which I tend to attract. Actually, I’m grateful he rejected me. This is a mirror reflecting where I still need to grow. It’s a sign that my ideal life partner is energetically near, and this experience helps me become my most authentic self.”
Instead of sitting in shame or grief, I spent the last few days self-hypnotising and healing the trauma that this “mirror” helped me uncover.
Over time, my self-worth has shifted from lower to higher on the spectrum.
Low self-worth also shows up in our decision-making, procrastination, emotions (which often lead to physical illness), addictions, and our relationship with money.
During hypnotherapy sessions, I’ve noticed that sometimes we must address self-worth blocks before we can work on the client’s primary goals. For example, it’s impossible to address “love blocks” for attracting a life partner if the subconscious mind holds beliefs about feeling unsafe, unsupported, or fearful of being seen—issues I’ve experienced personally.
Self-worth influences even the smallest decisions, like what to eat. It also underlies all addictions.
Research shows that the subconscious mind drives 95% of our manifestations, actions, habits, and physical health. As you might guess, my preferred tool for addressing low self-worth is hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy works directly with the subconscious mind, where traumas and limiting beliefs reside, facilitating profound and lasting change.
In conclusion, recognising the manifestations of low self-worth is the first step towards awareness and self-reflection. Hypnotherapy can then guide the journey towards healing, growth, and the realisation of your true authentic self.
