Other people and things make them feel good or bad. You can say that codependents are “other defined.”
You know how it feels to complete a difficult project, win a competition, or just have a great day with your friends. People with high self‐esteem feel that way most of the time. Most people feel dejected when they’re reprimanded by their boss, have a financial setback, or become ill, but these feelings are transient and don’t reflect true Self‐esteem, positive or negative.
Good self‐esteem doesn’t vary significantly with external events. You won’t feel bad about yourself when bad things happen because they’re external and not a reflection of your essential Self. You know that you have the resources to recover. But when people with low self‐esteem suffer loss or disappointment, they feel defeated. The following table compares the signs of high and low self‐esteem.| High Self-Esteem | Low Self-Esteem |
|---|---|
| Know you’re okay | Feel “not enough;" compare and improve self |
| Know you have value and matter | Lack self-worth and value |
| Feel competent | Ask others’ opinion |
| Like yourself | Need others’ approval and are self-critical |
| Exhibit honesty and integrity | Defer to, agree with, and please others |
| Trust yourself | Doubt self and feel indecisive |
| Compassion for others | Are critical of others and are sensitive to criticism |
| Show responsibility to self and others | Discount own feelings, wants, and needs |
| Accept praise and attention | Deflect or doubt praise and dislike attention |
| Are hopeful | Lack confidence and self-efficacy |
| Respect and compassion for self and others | Lack self-respect and self-compassion |
There are successful, beautiful celebrities who dislike themselves, and average, ordinary people with high self‐esteem. Nor is true self‐esteem based upon performing well if your actions are motivated by a desire to win others’ approval or recognition — thus the expression, “You’re only as good as your last performance.” You’d be seeking “other” esteem. You may think highly of yourself, not realizing it’s all based on these externals.
Because they’re disconnected from themselves, codependents typically have difficulty with self‐trust and following their inner guidance. You may be confused or unable to make up your mind, always asking someone else’s opinion. You may not know what you really want and defer to others in order to be liked and loved. When you know your needs and desires, you may dismiss or talk yourself out of them, or go along with someone to avoid conflict — especially in close relationships.
Low self‐esteem can make you super critical, so that you find fault with just about anything concerning yourself — how you feel, act, look, and what you need, think, say, or create. You may even hate and loathe yourself. Like most people, you probably don’t realize the extent of your self‐judgment. It makes you sensitive to criticism and feel criticized when you’re not. When you receive praise, attention, compliments, or gifts, you’re embarrassed and make excuses because you don’t feel deserving.
Being self‐critical also makes you critical of others.
Don’t be discouraged. There’s hope. Your self‐esteem is learned, and poor self‐esteem can be transformed into self‐worth.