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.

There’s a moment many women don’t talk about.

It’s not the day you file.
It’s not the day you move out.

It’s the quiet, exhausting space before all of that…
when you’re asking yourself over and over again:

Should I stay or should I go?

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.

Every January, we set goals with hope and determination—promising ourselves that this year will be different. Yet for many women, those goals quietly fall away within weeks. It’s easy to blame motivation or discipline, but the real issue is often something deeper:

Self-worth.

There’s a quiet voice that follows me more often than I like to admit. It whispers that no matter how much I accomplish, no matter how hard I try, I’m still falling short. Not smart enough. Not healed enough. Not successful enough. Just… not enough.  Do you ever feel this way?

I was recently speaking with my coach the other day and jokingly said, “I don’t need enemies, I have me!” The conversation involved my questions, and yes, struggles, with growing a business. After the call, I thought about my statement further and the number of times those voices in my head told me that “I wasn’t good enough!” or “I didn’t have what it takes!”

Did you know that one’s self-esteem is intricately woven into the fabric of our psychological well-being?  It also plays a pivotal role in shaping how we perceive and interact with the world around us. It is the mirror through which we view ourselves, often reflecting on our perceived worth, abilities, and inherent value. The journey of nurturing our self-esteem is deeply personal and varies significantly from one individual to another, often influenced by our life experiences, social interactions, and personal achievements or setbacks. Sharing one's story, therefore, emerges as a powerful vehicle for fostering a healthier self-esteem. It offers an opportunity for introspection, healing, and connection, allowing individuals to reclaim their narrative and affirm their worth.