Being important to yourself is not about turning into a selfish, grandiose prick and neglecting or devaluing others—it’s about valuing yourself enough to make space for your own needs. By recognizing your own self-worth, you’re better equipped to bring your best self to everything you do.

Have you ever admired someone so much that you believed they had wisdom or power you could never access? When our self-esteem is shaky, it’s so easy to give our power away and put others on a pedestal. Relying too heavily on someone else for guidance can make you feel disempowered. Instead of feeling like the driver of your own life, you may find yourself waiting for their direction. This leads to a sense of passivity, helplessness, and difficulty making decisions without their input.