Self-respect is often described as a somewhat abstract, intuitive, internal feeling or judgement that one has about oneself. But if we observe it up-close and long-term, we can see that it’s actually built, brick by brick, from the tiny promises one keeps to themselves repeatedly over the course of their life.

Psychological research suggests that self-respect is not just a nice-to-have. It’s a distinct, measurable aspect of self-worth that shapes how you view and treat yourself. Here’s how keeping small promises, showing up for yourself and doing what you know you should can build self-respect, and why that matters more than many of us realize.

When talking about self-worth, there are two core concepts that are often conflated: self‑respect and self-esteem. Self-esteem is the confidence someone has in their own abilities and their overall sense of worth; self-respect might be considered a subset of this generalized feeling.

Self-respect (also referred to as “appraisal self-respect”) is the belief that someone deserves dignity and regard because they treat themselves with consistent integrity, not just because they succeed or get external validation.

In a 2020 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, researchers manipulated scenarios in which people adhered to their moral standards and then measured their feelings of self-respect and self-esteem. They found that doing what aligns with your morals, however small or routine, significantly increased subjects’ state........

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