This 1 Thing Might Be Sabotaging Your Marriage

How Self-Esteem Shapes Our Marriages

In a today’s Relationship Radio episode, our CEO, Kimberly Beam Holmes, took a closer look at how self-esteem influences marriage. Here’s a simplified breakdown of her insights:

1. What’s the Difference?:

• Self-Esteem: How we overall feel about ourselves.
• Self-Worth: Specific areas that build our self-esteem.

2. The Foundation of Self-Worth: Jennifer Crocker’s research showed seven key areas that contribute to our self-worth. Interestingly, only three – family support, virtue, and divine love – are considered healthy for our well-being.

3. The Marriage Connection: Relying on our spouses to constantly boost our self-esteem? Beware! It can lead to unrealistic expectations and stress in the relationship. But, Kimberly’s research offers hope: with the right steps, we can improve our self-esteem.

4. Attraction Isn’t Just Physical: Sure, physical attraction is great. But Kimberly stresses the importance of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual connections too. These deep bonds are vital for marriages to thrive.

5. The Bigger Picture: Spouses with healthy self-esteem often have happier marriages. They rely less on each other for validation, leading to a more fulfilling relationship.

6. Seeking Help: If low self-esteem is a recurring issue, especially due to past traumas, consider professional help. Therapies like EMDR can offer genuine healing.

In a Nutshell: Your self-esteem plays a huge role in your marriage. By understanding and working on it, you pave the way for a happier, healthier relationship.