15+ Red Flags That Scream a Person Has Low Self-Esteem

There are many signs that can indicate a person has issues with self-esteem. Many of them have already been discussed by psychologists and are still being examined carefully. However, those not connected with science also have their own understanding of self-esteem and the signs that show a person should reconsider the way they behave.

We at Bright Side came across a Reddit thread where people shared their own red flags that scream a person has low self-confidence. So we chose the most popular ones for you. Make sure to read the bonus at the end — it will inspire you to do more good, for sure.

• Thinking that everything bad someone tells you is true, but the second someone compliments you, you just can’t seem to accept it. © PansPersonCrazy / Reddit
• On a similar note: You are able to point out what you need to work on/your weaknesses during your review with your employer, but you can’t name a single strength of yours. My boss said that I must be able to name at least one thing that I think I’m strong at, and I drew a blank. Luckily my old boss (who was now his boss) was able to rattle off a few, but the entire time I’m like (nope, that doesn’t apply to me). © ExcellentPreference8 / Reddit

• Assuming that you’re always on the cusp of annoying everyone you’re with or that you’re never actually part of the group and only invited out of pity. © cyo85 / Reddit
• Somebody who apologizes frequently, even for things that aren’t their fault. I’ve apologized to inanimate objects before. © Ermaquillz / Reddit
• People who brag about themselves all the time. So darn insecure and trying to tell people how to see them. © Kir-ius / Reddit

• Self-effacing humor is fun in small amounts, but if people are constantly making “jokes” about their own flaws, they’re probably actually internalizing a lot of it. © Notmiefault / Reddit
• Someone who talks themselves down a lot. It’s a way for them to protect themselves from the insults of others. © aardbei123 / Reddit

• Trying to one-up in conversations. © Transitionals / Reddit
• Saying you wish you had someone else’s features. I’m pretty sure everyone’s done it, but once you keep doing it I feel like it becomes a problem. © JayIsUnemployedd / Reddit
• Apologizing for talking. Apologizing for not talking. Apologizing for apologizing. Apologizing for being alive. © Ectophylla_alba / Reddit

• Poor personal hygiene. It’s a very common symptom of depression and low self-worth. Of course, it can come from extenuating life circumstances, but it’s definitely a good reason to check in with someone. © Kokopelli615 / Reddit
• Over-clarifying too much. People who grow up with lots of criticism and invalidation usually lack self-esteem. They often feel like they have to be super-specific to avoid more criticism or accusations of lying. © copperdomebodhi / Reddit

• A complete inability to admit wrongdoing. A person like that isn’t super-confident and their ego is so fragile that they can’t handle the possibility of having been in error. © grombleduke / Reddit
• Lying about their lives. There is nothing sadder than catching a person lying about their life (finances, romantic relationships, etc.) just to get attention and validation. © o_oana / Reddit
• Constantly needing reassurance that your spouse loves you still. Feeling super insecure in the relationship, even after being together through thick and thin for 30 years. Breaks my heart. © Indy_Fred_Momma / Reddit

• Putting down other’s hobbies because you are insecure about yours/don’t have any. © FROGS_and_PLANTS / Reddit
• I cross-stitch, and some of my pieces are very intricate and take a long time. I am really proud of them, and the focus it takes to complete them.
  I had a date tell me that cross-stitch was the most useless hobby he had ever heard of, and I was just flabbergasted. First off, why do hobbies have to be “useful”? Secondly, it provides me with entertainment for a long time, and it then serves as decoration! But even without all that, if I enjoy it, why try and take that away from me? © AhFFSImTooOldForThis / Reddit
  

Bonus: Dove has created a wonderful ad inviting others to raise the self-esteem of young girls.

What other red flags that scream a person has low self-esteem do you know of?