YOU ARE ALREADY ENOUGH
I wanted to start this article off by saying “being alive in society today”, but quite frankly… the point I’m going to make has permeated much of the history of human interaction and coexistence. For centuries, the modern world has been fixated on external validation, achievement, and status. And along the way, our sense of self-worth has gotten homogenized and mixed up with what we have, and what we’ve done, and how “far along” we are in our life path., compared to others.
I’m calling bullshit.
Nurturing a strong sense of self-worth is imperative for our overall well-being and fulfillment, and it requires looking inward, not outward. It requires recognizing that we are already enough. We are already worthy.
But I see it all of the time, for many of us, the journey inward, the journey toward recognizing our own inherent value can feel like a daunting task, fraught with self-doubt and uncertainty. Where do we begin? How do we untangle ourselves from the web of negative self-talk and comparison? Particularly in the Social Media Era.
As with most things we discuss here, cultivating a powerful sense of self-worth is all about the journey, not the destination. When it comes to believing that you're already enough, just as you are, and that you are worthy, today, right now… well, the feeling comes on gradually. You don’t just start repeating affirmations and wake up one morning shouting, “I AM WORTHY!” and you truly believe it. Sorry to say.
It takes small steps and deep self-reflection. It's about peeling back the layers of conditioning and societal expectations to uncover the radiant truth of who we are at our core: LOVABLE, WORTHY, ENOUGH.
It takes time, and work to wholeheartedly believe in our inherent worth. I know. I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you, as I do with most things, the journey is never over. Once you get there, you have to stay there, and that requires work, too.
Here are several foundational practices to help you begin your journey of cultivating self-worth:
Practice Compassion with Yourself: Be gentle with yourself. You are human, and by God do we humans tend to make mistakes. Instead of harsh self-criticism, offer yourself the same kindness and understanding that you would to a loved one. Or, try viewing yourself as a child, and giving them the advice that you need, with love and compassion.
Challenge Negative Self-Talk: Words are powerful. The things we say about ourselves, even in our head, even as a joke, resonate within our mind, formulating who we believe we are, and how we feel about ourselves. Speak kindly. Hype yourself up. That doesn’t mean ignore areas in which you need to improve, but give yourself some grace, and be your own cheerleader. You got this!
Keep Promises to Yourself: Telling yourself you’re going to pick up a new habit, or quit a bad habit? Telling yourself you’re going to show up in a certain way, or accomplish a goal? Do it. Don’t tell yourself that you will, and then stand yourself up. You wouldn’t do that to a friend. If you continuously let yourself down, you’re sending the message to yourself that you’re not worth the time or the work, and you are my friend, you are, worth the time, and the work. You deserve to show up for yourself.
Set & Keep Your Boundaries: Learn to assert your needs and preferences, and honor your boundaries. Say no when you need to say no. Rest when you need rest. Prioritize self-care. These are essential aspects of valuing your own well-being.
Prioritize Your Inner Peace: Gather and understand what kind of self-care you need to feel grounded, i.e. meditation, journaling, music, creating… and prioritize making time for that in your day, or in your week. Making sure you feel grounded and at home within yourself, makes it harder for the external world to shake you.
Take Care of Yourself: This is as simple as good hygiene and as extra as putting on an outfit that you love. Take care of the body that your soul calls home. Decorate it how you want to decorate it, treat it like a temple. Feed it good food, give it water, dress it up. It sends the message to yourself and the world that you respect your vessel.
Be of Service: Show up in helpful ways for others. It feels amazing to volunteer, or help out a friend. This can be big, like serving at a soup kitchen, or coaching a recreational sport, or it can be subtle like helping a friend move, or sharing advice.
Celebrate Your Strengths: Take inventory of your strengths, talents, and accomplishments—no matter how small they may seem. Celebrate these victories as evidence of your unique gifts and capabilities!
Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life, big and small. Gratitude shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance, fostering a deeper sense of contentment and worthiness.
Affirmations: Even though affirmations don’t work over night, they CAN work over time. Set a positive affirmation that you need as your phone background, or put a post-it with an affirmation on your bathroom mirror. Or even more intentional, start using an affirmation as a daily mantra, like, “I am worthy of my dreams,” or “I am enough as I am.”
Remember, be patient and compassionate with yourself. You are already enough! But believing that, and cultivating self-worth is not a linear process, and there will be setbacks along the way. Be patient and trust that The Universe has your back. Your worth comes from that place of Love. Each step you take toward honoring your True Self brings you closer to a life lived authentically, in a state of profound self-love.
Be well,
L
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