Low Self Esteem - 5 Signs it May Be Your Relationship, Not You
Low self esteem is an issue many people struggle with in their lives.
It can rob individuals of joy, hope, confidence, energy, and fulfillment in career and relationships.
While there may be many underlying causes for low self esteem, one that is frequently overlooked is the impact of our intimate relationships on our feelings of self worth and self esteem.
If you feel increasingly inferior, incompetent, worthless, or even crazy around your partner, the dynamics of your relationship should be given a closer examination.
Here are 5 signs your low self esteem may be a result of the emotional or psychological abuse in your relationship: 1.
Your partner insults you, publicly or privately.
You may be hearing actual name calling, or it may be more subtle criticisms of who you are, how you do things, and even how healthy you may be mentally.
2.
Your partner may prohibit or discourage you from spending time with friends and family.
You may hear manipulative statements such as "I can't believe you would choose to spend time with him or her over me.
" Isolating you serves a couple of purposes for the abuser.
It asserts his or her control over your life, and prevents you from hearing positive and affirming messages about you.
It also reduces the opportunity for your loved ones to offer criticisms of your partner.
3.
Your partner attempts to control your daily activities.
You may feel compelled to give an account of your day, and defend or justify your choices.
It may feel easier to simply choose from a list of activities you know your partner will approve of.
4.
Your partner implies non-physical threats for not complying with his or her demands.
Once in awhile, your partner may do something generous or kind for you, but this is not a sincere change of heart or behavior.
Once you are drawn back into the relationship, the emotional and psychological abuse will begin again.
5.
Your partner uses sex as a weapon of manipulation and control.
This may manifest in demands for sex and physical intimacy regardless of your feelings or preferences.
Alternately, your partner may choose to withhold affection and intimacy from you in order to keep you feeling worthless, rejected and unlovable, and subject to your partner's control.
It can rob individuals of joy, hope, confidence, energy, and fulfillment in career and relationships.
While there may be many underlying causes for low self esteem, one that is frequently overlooked is the impact of our intimate relationships on our feelings of self worth and self esteem.
If you feel increasingly inferior, incompetent, worthless, or even crazy around your partner, the dynamics of your relationship should be given a closer examination.
Here are 5 signs your low self esteem may be a result of the emotional or psychological abuse in your relationship: 1.
Your partner insults you, publicly or privately.
You may be hearing actual name calling, or it may be more subtle criticisms of who you are, how you do things, and even how healthy you may be mentally.
2.
Your partner may prohibit or discourage you from spending time with friends and family.
You may hear manipulative statements such as "I can't believe you would choose to spend time with him or her over me.
" Isolating you serves a couple of purposes for the abuser.
It asserts his or her control over your life, and prevents you from hearing positive and affirming messages about you.
It also reduces the opportunity for your loved ones to offer criticisms of your partner.
3.
Your partner attempts to control your daily activities.
You may feel compelled to give an account of your day, and defend or justify your choices.
It may feel easier to simply choose from a list of activities you know your partner will approve of.
4.
Your partner implies non-physical threats for not complying with his or her demands.
Once in awhile, your partner may do something generous or kind for you, but this is not a sincere change of heart or behavior.
Once you are drawn back into the relationship, the emotional and psychological abuse will begin again.
5.
Your partner uses sex as a weapon of manipulation and control.
This may manifest in demands for sex and physical intimacy regardless of your feelings or preferences.
Alternately, your partner may choose to withhold affection and intimacy from you in order to keep you feeling worthless, rejected and unlovable, and subject to your partner's control.
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