TL;DR
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A Bolde article describes nine subtle habits that it says may be associated with low self-esteem, including reflexive apologies, dismissing compliments and replaying mistakes. The behaviors are not diagnostic on their own, and the source does not present new research establishing that they reliably indicate low self-esteem.
Bolde has published a report describing nine everyday behaviors that it says may be associated with low self-esteem, from apologizing reflexively to dismissing praise and struggling to say no. The article frames these as possible patterns to notice, not as a diagnosis: any one habit does not establish that someone has low self-esteem.
The list focuses on behaviors that can be easy to overlook in ordinary interactions, much like the traits discussed in people who’ve stopped seeking approval. Examples include apologizing before anyone expresses frustration, explaining routine choices without being asked, and answering a compliment by minimizing the achievement. The report suggests these behaviors may reflect worry about taking up space, being judged or appearing undeserving, but those explanations are interpretations rather than proof of a person’s inner state.
Other habits on the list concern self-worth and relationships: basing personal value on recent performance, agreeing to requests despite not wanting to, and keeping good news private. The article also describes repeatedly reviewing small mistakes and treating them as evidence of a broader personal failing. It presents these behaviors as patterns that may merit reflection when several occur together, rather than as a checklist for labeling someone, similar to the nuanced traits explored in people who prefer staying home.
The report attributes some discussion to psychologists Jennifer Crocker, Erika Martinez and Allison Kelly. It quotes Crocker on contingent self-esteem, Martinez on people-pleasing and approval, and Kelly on self-criticism. The supplied material does not include links to the underlying studies or enough detail to independently assess their methods, populations or findings. The article is a secondary report, and its psychological explanations should be read with that limitation in mind.
How These Habits Can Affect Daily Life
The behaviors described can matter because they may shape how people communicate, take opportunities and respond to feedback. Someone who routinely says yes, for example, may end up with commitments that do not reflect their own priorities. A person who deflects every compliment may also find it harder to take in positive feedback. These are possible effects of the behaviors, not outcomes the article establishes for everyone who shows them.
The list may give readers language for noticing recurring patterns in themselves or others, but it also carries a risk of overinterpretation. Apologies can reflect politeness, privacy can be a personal preference, and carefulness about decisions can have many causes. Context, frequency and impact matter; a single interaction cannot reveal a person’s self-esteem or explain why they acted a particular way.
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What the Bolde Report Draws On
Bolde’s article presents its nine examples as a practical account of how low self-esteem might appear without direct statements of self-dislike. Its central distinction is between occasional behavior and a collection of habits that seem to recur. The report itself says the patterns do not always point to low self-esteem.
The source invokes comments attributed to three psychologists but, in the material provided, does not supply a systematic review or original study testing all nine behaviors as indicators. The list is therefore best understood as an editorial synthesis with attributed expert remarks, not a validated screening tool or a new research finding.
“When people want to boost self-esteem or avoid a drop, they may do things that undermine them as a whole.”
— Jennifer Crocker, University of Michigan psychologist, as quoted in the Bolde report
What the Behaviors Cannot Establish
The report does not show that the nine habits reliably diagnose low self-esteem, nor does it establish how common they are or how strongly each behavior is connected to self-worth. No diagnostic test or threshold is offered, and the source material does not include the studies underlying the psychologists’ quoted remarks.
It is also unclear from the article alone how to distinguish these behaviors from habits shaped by culture, workplace expectations, anxiety, personal communication styles or particular circumstances. A person may apologize often or keep an achievement private for reasons unrelated to self-esteem. The list cannot establish an individual’s motive, and the presence of several habits still is not a diagnosis.
How Readers Can Use the List
Bolde’s report does not announce a follow-up study or a clinical assessment based on the list. Readers can treat the examples as prompts to notice whether certain behaviors are frequent, distressing or interfering with decisions and relationships, rather than using them to label themselves or someone else. Further evidence would be needed to establish whether the behaviors work as reliable indicators.
For people concerned about persistent self-criticism or difficulty setting boundaries, discussing the issue with a qualified mental-health professional may help clarify what is driving it. The source does not say that any particular treatment is needed. What happens next for an individual depends on their circumstances, and the article provides no case-specific assessment.
Key Questions
What are the nine habits listed in the report?
Bolde describes reflexive apologies, rejecting compliments, tying self-worth to recent results, overexplaining choices, difficulty saying no, keeping good news private, and repeatedly replaying mistakes. The supplied source excerpt ends partway through its discussion of the final habit and does not provide the full text of all nine items, so the remaining examples cannot be reliably stated from the material provided.
Do these habits prove that someone has low self-esteem?
No. The report says the habits do not always point to low self-esteem. They may have different explanations, and the article does not present them as a diagnostic test.
Who is quoted in the Bolde article?
The supplied material attributes comments to psychologists Jennifer Crocker, Erika Martinez and Allison Kelly. It does not provide complete citations for the underlying articles or research.
What should a reader do if these patterns feel familiar?
Consider whether they happen repeatedly and whether they cause distress or affect everyday choices. A qualified mental-health professional can help explore persistent concerns; the list alone cannot determine a diagnosis.
Source: bolde.com
