Lacking it, we deplete self-esteem, we become unanchored, disconnected from ourselves and the deeper sense of dignity that gives life meaning. It is not about grand gestures or public recognition, but about the everyday moments where we prove to ourselves that we are dependable and worthy of trust. The way we speak to ourselves, the standards we... See more

When we consistently follow through on our commitments, no matter how small, we reinforce a sense of integrity, of competence. Conversely, when we repeatedly neglect our own promises, we erode our self-respect, fostering guilt, disappointment, and a low self-esteem.

This is why self-respect is not something that can be granted to us by others; it is... See more

Every decision we make is witnessed by the sitting observer within us; the part of ourselves that knows when we have honoured our word or betrayed it. This observer does not judge with external standards; it registers, with quiet certainty, whether we are living in alignment with our values or falling short of them. Over time, these observations... See more

What becomes central is dignity, self-confidence, resilience, and an ability to rely on yourself. Unlike self-love, which has few, if any, conditions and can drift into narcissism or self-indulgence, self-respect demands a lot from us. It requires that we honour our commitments and uphold our moral principles practically. It requires that we... See more

However, when a profit-driven, materially-oriented, and hyper-individualistic society finds itself incompatible with our inherent psychological makeup, those needs are simply replaced with artificial and distorted needs (consumerism, hedonism, cosmetic perfectionism, recognition, hyper-productivity, entertainment escapism etc). The result in doing... See more

Today, self-love is placed as the epitome of mental well-being. The collective history of psychological research robustly indicates that we all have a number of fixed psychological needs that, if unfulfilled, dictate our psychological health the same way unfulfilled physical needs dictate our physical health. For the largest part of human history... See more

But if happiness and enjoyment of life is ‘health’, is unhappiness and struggle ‘ill-health’? Isn’t struggle natural and inevitable? Are sorrow and grief not a part of the human condition? Are we to pathologise every ache of the soul? I used to believe that emotional pain was something to be solved, something that signified to me a failure in my... See more

A fixated commitment to our individualistic pursuit of happiness now lies at the heart of what we perceive as mental and emotional ‘health’.

The physical world became the only world that mattered, and all higher realities were reduced to chemical, biological, or neurological processes. This is demonstrated in its obsession with mental health & wellness. Much of Western psychological research is conducted with the overarching objective of curing mental & emotional suffering (e.g.... See more