Self esteem shouldn't come only from outside ourselves, but we do need to feel appreciated, loved and accepted by our partners. It's also important to know what we are appreciated for. And we have to learn to listen to our partner's appreciation, accept it and internalize it. You can also use this first section of the DTR to appreciate yourself and share with others some of the things for which you want to be acknowledged. So much of what goes wrong is because we are not given the information we need to understand what's going on, so there is too much room left for assumptions.
Intimacy thrives only when both partners know what is going on in each other's lives.
Misunderstanding and assumptions are devastating to relationships. If there are things you don't understand that your partner or a significant other could clarify, ask for clarification. You won't always get an answer to your puzzles, but it's still important to let your partner know what you're wondering about and provide an opportunity for them to clarify things or give you other helpful information.