--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your confidence and self-esteem have…" description: "\"“Your confidence and self-esteem have withered away, but the very person you want to get away from is the one you rely on most. And you don’t know when..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/sibel-hodge-29655_confidence_your-confidence-and-self-esteem-have-wit_2697806.jpg" --- # Your confidence and self-esteem have withered away, but… ![“Your confidence and self-esteem have withered away, but the very person you want to get away from is the one you rely on most. And you don’t know when it happened. Can’t pinpoint an exact day, week, or month, because it’s a gradual, subtle process. It creeps up on you slowly. So slowly that you…” quote by Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/sibel-hodge-29655_confidence_your-confidence-and-self-esteem-have-wit_2697806.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/sibel-hodge-29655_confidence_your-confidence-and-self-esteem-have-wit_2697806.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c8/sibel-hodge-29655_confidence_your-confidence-and-self-esteem-have-wit_2697806.jpg) > ““Your confidence and self-esteem have withered away, but the very person you want to get away from is the one you rely on most. And you don’t know when it happened. Can’t pinpoint an exact day, week, or month, because it’s a gradual, subtle process. It creeps up on you slowly. So slowly that you don’t realize you’re bending, breaking, and becoming a different person. A woman who’s not happy, not living her own life, but the life her husband wants instead.”” [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A gradual loss of self occurs when one relies heavily on a partner, leading to identity erosion and unhappiness. **In simple terms:** Losing yourself to another’s expectations. Key Takeaway Recognize and reclaim your own identity. Themes identity relationships self‑esteem dependence Mood sad reflective concerned Type advice psychological narrative When to use this quote - marriage - career - friendship - family dynamics Key Concepts psychology personal boundaries codependency Questions to Reflect On - When did you first feel your own needs fading? - How can you set boundaries without feeling guilty? A Different Perspective Change can be slow and unnoticed, making it hard to intervene early. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) ## Related quotes > [Love who you are, embrace who you are. Love yourself. When you love yourself, people can kind of pick up on that: they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilly-singh/love-who-you-are-embrace-who-you-are-love-yourself-when-you-love/) [Lilly Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilly-singh/) > [Sports can do so much. It's given me confidence, self-esteem, discipline, and motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-hamm/sports-can-do-so-much-it-s-given-me-confidence-self-esteem-discipline/) [Mia Hamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-hamm/) > [If you are going to be successful in creating the life of your dreams, you have to believe that you are capable of making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-going-to-be-successful-in-creating-the-life-of-your-dreams/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Jealousy is the result of one's lack of self-confidence, self-worth, and self-acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-azevedo/jealousy-is-the-result-of-one-s-lack-of-self-confidence-self-worth/) [Sasha Azevedo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-azevedo/) > [What I find powerful is a person with the confidence to be her own self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/what-i-find-powerful-is-a-person-with-the-confidence-to-be-her-own/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self-esteem are quite aware of your potential, even if you are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/people-who-repeatedly-attack-your-confidence-and-self-esteem-are/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) > [“Or recall a time in your own past when you stood up to a bully. If you know people who know how to handle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-brinkman/or-recall-a-time-in-your-own-past-when-you-stood-up-to-a-bully-if-you/) Rick Brinkman > [I may be wrong, but I am never in doubt! And anyone who has been around me for even a minute understands that my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pena/i-may-be-wrong-but-i-am-never-in-doubt-and-anyone-who-has-been-around/) [Dan Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pena/) > [“Let’s be frank: People who lack confidence are self-centered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheenah-hankin/let-s-be-frank-people-who-lack-confidence-are-self-centered/) [Sheenah Hankin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheenah-hankin/) > [It gives the guys confidence and self-belief. Two or three years ago I think we would have lost it. The confidence that we have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kieran-crowley/it-gives-the-guys-confidence-and-self-belief-two-or-three-years-ago-i/) Kieran Crowley > [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Confidence in one's self is the chief nurse of magnanimity, which confidence, notwithstanding, doth not leave the care of necessary furniture for it; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/confidence-in-one-s-self-is-the-chief-nurse-of-magnanimity-which/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [“You don’t even have to love your job; you can merely love what your job does for you - the confidence and self-fulfillment that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/you-don-t-even-have-to-love-your-job-you-can-merely-love-what-your/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [Self-confidence without self-reliance is as useless as a cooking recipe without food. Self-confidence sees the possibilities of the individual; self-reliance realizes them. Self-confidence sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-george-jordan/self-confidence-without-self-reliance-is-as-useless-as-a-cooking/) [William George Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-george-jordan/) > [If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-you-have-no-confidence-in-self-you-are-twice-defeated-in-the-race/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## More by Sibel Hodge > [“So, if people don't want a war - are opposed to a war - how do you get away with it? You change public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/so-if-people-don-t-want-a-war-are-opposed-to-a-war-how-do-you-get/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Physical wounds can heal, can’t they? But it takes a long time to recover from having your self-confidence and self-esteem crushed to nothing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/physical-wounds-can-heal-can-t-they-but-it-takes-a-long-time-to/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“It’s why I picked you. You were feisty and independent, but if you scratched just under the surface, you were vulnerable and fragile. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/it-s-why-i-picked-you-you-were-feisty-and-independent-but-if-you/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“I often wonder what would happen if everything we hid under the surface showed on the outside.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/i-often-wonder-what-would-happen-if-everything-we-hid-under-the/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Why does anyone stay in a relationship that deep down they know isn’t right? You don’t know why until it happens to you. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/why-does-anyone-stay-in-a-relationship-that-deep-down-they-know-isn-t/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [ “The only thing you \[i\]have\[/i\] to do in life is die. The rest is all up to you. Your choice. Your actions.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/the-only-thing-you-i-have-i-to-do-in-life-is-die-the-rest-is-all-up/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“If life is like a box of chocolates, then mine is the mother of all coffee creams. You know – the ones that always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/if-life-is-like-a-box-of-chocolates-then-mine-is-the-mother-of-all/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“We're living in a perverted and twisted smokescreen of democracy that's nothing short of dictatorship, where the unelected actually rule. And behind it lurks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/we-re-living-in-a-perverted-and-twisted-smokescreen-of-democracy-that/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Teaching is one of the few things I’ve managed to hang”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/teaching-is-one-of-the-few-things-i-ve-managed-to-hang/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Why did this happen to me? To the other girls? Doesn’t anyone else know what is going on in the world? Why don’t they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/why-did-this-happen-to-me-to-the-other-girls-doesn-t-anyone-else-know/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Mainstream media is a way to control the masses. They brainwash us with their own agendas to get public opinion swayed in a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/mainstream-media-is-a-way-to-control-the-masses-they-brainwash-us/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“I drove to the pickup window and came face to face with Dad. "Dad! What are you doing working in Burger Land?" "Sssh!" He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/i-drove-to-the-pickup-window-and-came-face-to-face-with-dad-dad-what/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“Suddenly, Liam grabbed hold of me and pushed me hard against the wall, his mouth on mine, his excitement pressing against my thigh. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/suddenly-liam-grabbed-hold-of-me-and-pushed-me-hard-against-the-wall/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority. – Rick Warren”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/a-lie-doesn-t-become-truth-wrong-doesn-t-become-right-and-evil-doesn/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) > [“didn’t trust easily. Sometimes I found it hard to handle emotions. I didn’t want someone to guess there was something wrong with me. Something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sibel-hodge/didn-t-trust-easily-sometimes-i-found-it-hard-to-handle-emotions-i/) [Sibel Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) [Explore all 18 Sibel Hodge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sibel-hodge/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) Senoraroy > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Your confidence and self-esteem have withered away, but the very person you want to get away from is the one you rely on most. And you don’t know when it happened. Can’t pinpoint an exact day, week, or month, because it’s a gradual, subtle process. It creeps up on you slowly. So slowly that you don’t realize you’re bending, breaking, and becoming a different person. 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