Codependency is one of those words that gets used often—but rarely understood in its full depth. At its core, codependency is a pattern of behavior where your sense of identity, worth, and emotional stability becomes tied to another person. It often shows up as overgiving, people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, and prioritizing others’ needs at the expense of your own.

Low self-esteem is often treated like a quiet inconvenience—something personal, private, and manageable. But the truth is, low self-esteem is expensive. And I don’t just mean emotionally. It comes with real, measurable costs that show up in our relationships, careers, health, and overall quality of life.