Women who don’t genuinely know their worth in life often exhibit these 9 behaviors (without realizing it)

I get it. Sometimes, we women don’t fully grasp our worth.

You strive to do your best in every aspect of life, and what do you get in return?

Often, not much. A lack of self-recognition and an ever-growing pile of self-doubt.

It can feel like you’re just floating through life, not really seeing your true value. You may feel unappreciated, unsure, undervalued.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Many of us women struggle with recognizing our own worth. But here’s the thing – you might be much more valuable than you think.

The signals aren’t always clear.

In this article, we’ll explore some behaviors that women who don’t genuinely know their worth often exhibit without even realizing it.

I’m here to shed light on some overlooked indicators.

Perhaps you’re already aware of some of them…

…let’s see.

1) Constantly seeking validation

I vividly remember a time when I used to crave validation in almost every aspect of my life, especially in my career. I was working in a high-pressure environment where expectations were sky-high. And I constantly felt the need to seek reassurance from others.

I would ask my colleagues things like, “Am I doing okay?” or “Is my work up to standard?” It became a habit to look for approval from others because, deep down, I wasn’t confident in my own abilities. I was relying on external validation to tell me that I was good enough, smart enough, or successful enough. 

When you don’t fully believe in your own value, it’s easy to look to others for affirmation. You may think that if someone else approves of you or your work, then it means you’re worthy.

True self-worth comes from within—it’s about recognizing your own value and trusting in your abilities without needing constant approval from others.

If you find yourself always seeking validation or reassurance, it might be a sign that you’re not fully aware of your worth.

The truth is, learning to believe in yourself is the first step toward shedding the need for external validation. It’s a powerful shift that can lead to greater confidence, inner peace, and independence.

2) Fear of saying ‘No’

There was a time when I found myself saying “yes” to far more tasks than I could handle. It wasn’t that I had the time or energy to take them all on—I just didn’t want to disappoint anyone by saying “no.” The thought of being seen as unreliable or selfish felt unbearable.

The fear of disappointing others is powerful, but it can easily lead you to overextend yourself and lose sight of your own needs.

What I came to realize is that when you value yourself properly, you begin to understand that saying “no” is not a sign of weakness or failure.

It doesn’t make you less valuable or less capable. It means you are protecting your energy and setting healthy boundaries. When you consistently prioritize others’ needs over your own, you risk burning out and losing touch with your own goals.

By saying “no” when necessary, you create space for your well-being, and you allow yourself to show up fully when you do say “yes.” Setting boundaries is an act of self-respect, and it’s a crucial step toward recognizing your own worth.

3) Underpricing their services

Studies have shown that women often undervalue their work and charge less for their services than their male counterparts. This trend is particularly visible in freelance and creative industries, where pricing is more flexible, and professionals must set their own rates. 

Many women, even when producing high-quality work, may feel hesitant to charge what they truly deserve, either out of fear of rejection, societal conditioning, or a lack of confidence in their abilities. 

This undervaluation doesn’t just reflect a lack of confidence—it also affects their financial stability and career growth over time.

Women who know their worth, set competitive rates, and stand by them are more likely to achieve long-term economic success and career satisfaction.

4) Downplaying achievements

You might catch yourself thinking, “Oh, it wasn’t a big deal,” or “Anyone could have done that,” when in reality, you’ve put in the time, energy, and hard work to achieve that result. 

This tendency to minimize our wins can stem from societal conditioning. Humility is often encouraged over self-promotion, or from an ingrained sense of self-doubt.

But here’s the thing: every achievement, no matter how small, is a reflection of your effort, perseverance, and growth. 

If you keep brushing off your accomplishments, it’s like telling yourself that your hard work doesn’t matter—and that’s simply not true. When you don’t give yourself credit, you’re sending a message to your subconscious that you don’t deserve recognition. 

Over time, this can chip away at your confidence and self-worth. So, instead of minimizing your victories, take a moment to celebrate them.

You’ve earned the right to feel proud, so own your success and let it fuel your belief in your worth.

5) Staying in unhealthy relationships

I’ve been there before—stuck in a relationship that was emotionally draining, where I constantly felt unappreciated and unloved. Deep down, I knew something wasn’t right, but I stayed. 

Why? Because I didn’t see my own worth. I convinced myself that maybe this was the best I could do, that I didn’t deserve anything better. 

It’s a toxic thought cycle that so many of us fall into, making excuses for poor treatment because we don’t truly believe we deserve more. 

But let me tell you, that’s not true. Every person deserves to be in a relationship where they are loved, valued, and respected.

Staying in a relationship where these essentials are lacking only chips away at your self-esteem further. The truth is, you are worthy of a partner who cherishes you, who lifts you up, and who respects your boundaries.

And once you start recognizing your own worth, you’ll be less willing to tolerate anything less than what you truly deserve. Don’t settle. You are deserving of real love, and it starts with recognizing your own value.

6) Ignoring self-care

When you don’t fully realize your worth, it’s easy to fall into the habit of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own. You might neglect your mental, physical, and emotional well-being because you feel like your time is better spent on others. 

I’ve been there myself, constantly canceling gym sessions or personal time just to accommodate someone else’s schedule. At first, it felt like I was doing the right thing, but over time, I began to feel drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected from myself.

Self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s about recharging your energy so you can be your best self, not only for you but also for those around you. When you value yourself, you understand that prioritizing your needs isn’t an option, it’s a requirement for living a balanced, healthy life.

7) Feeling guilty for success

Many women feel guilty when they experience success, especially if they don’t fully acknowledge their worth. This guilt can manifest in various ways. You downplay your achievements, feeling like you haven’t earned them, or worry that others will think you don’t deserve your accomplishments.

Your success is a direct result of your talent, dedication, and perseverance. Feeling guilty for achieving your goals only undermines the hard work you’ve put in. 

Instead of brushing your accomplishments aside, take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and celebrate your wins. 

You are worthy of every success that comes your way, and there’s no need to apologize for it. 

8) Struggling with decision making

When you don’t trust yourself, you might constantly second-guess your choices, seeking validation from others rather than relying on your own judgment. 

I used to struggle with this too, always needing someone else’s opinion before I could feel confident in my decisions. I doubted my instincts, and it left me feeling powerless and unsure of myself.

However, when you start valuing yourself, you learn to trust your own judgment and realize that your decisions matter. Your intuition is powerful, and it deserves to be listened to. 

Building that trust within yourself takes time. But as you begin to see your own worth, you’ll find that making decisions becomes easier. And you’ll feel more confident in the choices you make.

9) Setting low standards

One of the clearest signs that you don’t fully know your worth is when you set low standards for yourself—whether in relationships, career, or personal goals. You may settle for less than you deserve, thinking that you can’t achieve more or that this is the best you can do.

But when you operate from a place of low self-worth, you limit yourself and what you can achieve. You are capable of so much more than you realize. Once you start recognizing your value, your standards will naturally rise.

You’ll no longer tolerate unhealthy relationships, unfulfilling jobs, or situations that don’t serve your growth. You’ll understand that you deserve more—whether it’s love, respect, or success—and you’ll start striving for it. When you know your worth, you don’t settle for less.