Journey of Acknowledging Self-Worth

I have struggled with feelings of unworthiness for as long as I can remember. I want to tell you a story..............

Once upon a time, a hardworking and dedicated employee named "Michael" worked in a busy corporate office. Despite his passion for his job and commitment to doing his best, he struggled with self-doubt that seemed to follow him everywhere he went.

One day, "Sarah", his senior manager, identified a challenge that needed to be addressed. Sarah called him into her office to discuss a recent project he had worked on. However, instead of praising his work, she shared her observation that he seemed to lack self-worth.

This comment took Michael aback. He was angry and upset about the words, but as the days passed, he pondered what it meant to have self-worth. He realised that he often doubted his abilities and questioned his value to the team. Determined to understand and improve, he embarked on a transformative journey.

Michael began by seeking guidance and focused on self-reflection. He sought the advice of colleagues who seemed to exude self-worth effortlessly. Through these experiences, he discovered that self-worth wasn't about arrogance or comparing oneself to others. It was about recognising his value and understanding that his skills and contributions mattered.

Michael focused on these areas.

Forgive yourself

To forgive yourself, reflect on the circumstances that led to past mistakes, acknowledge the pain you experienced and identify what you learned from the situation. Then say to yourself, “I forgive you” — in an honest and kind way.

Practice self-acceptance

Many of us struggle with low self-worth because we think there’s something wrong with us and refuse to accept ourselves the way we are. We receive so many messages that we are not OK the way we are. We’re told to change our bodies, clothes, jobs or even our personalities to be acceptable.

See if you can let go of your thoughts about how you think, feel or look should be different. Instead, focus on the things you like about yourself. Over time, begin to embrace your quirks — your awkward laugh, your crooked smile, your unusual way of thinking about things. Through this acceptance, you’re acknowledging that you are worthy just as you are.

Be there for yourself.

During tough times, it's common for people to turn on themselves and engage in self-criticism. However, this only makes things worse and leaves us feeling more defeated. During such times, we need someone to acknowledge our pain and say, "I see you, and I'm here for you."

We can do this for ourselves.

The next time you experience emotional pain, acknowledge how you feel and offer yourself comfort. Place your hand on your chest, hug yourself or say something kind and soothing to yourself.

Connect to supportive people.?

Low self-worth can leave us feeling isolated and alone. When we think there’s something wrong with us, we tend to pull away from our relationships, and this isolation only exacerbates our feelings of unworthiness. Knowing that we are not alone in our struggles and pain reminds us that challenges don’t make us unworthy. Connecting to supportive people helps us get in touch with our humanity and sense of worth.

Back to the story................

As time went on, Michael blossomed into a changed individual. His confidence radiated from him, and colleagues noticed the transformation. They began seeking his input and valued his perspectives. Michael's newfound self-worth improved his work life and positively impacted his personal life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Eventually, Michael's dedication and self-belief led him to be an entrepreneur, a certified coach and soon to be a university lecturer. He has become a role model for others, sharing his journey and inspiring them to cultivate their self-worth.

Ultimately, Michael's transformation showed that self-worth cannot be obtained overnight. It is a continuous journey of self-discovery, acknowledging one's abilities, and learning to embrace personal value. By recognising his worth, Michael unlocked his full potential and became a confident, aspiring professional who believed in himself wholeheartedly.

One last thing: The journey to unconditional self-worth can be challenging. The path is not straight or smooth, and you’ll face setbacks along the way — I certainly have.

It takes courage to free yourself from the conditions you’ve placed on your worth. Forgiveness can be messy; it can be scary to accept ourselves as we are, being there for ourselves can put us face to face with emotional pain, and connecting to others can make us feel vulnerable.

But I’m here to tell you this journey is also beautiful and worth taking. On it, you’ll find strength, become grounded in your humanity, and know you are worthy. So, I challenge you to embrace yourselves and begin living from a place of worthiness.

"I feel free, I feel exuberant, I feel full of life, I feel worthy."

Thanks for reading my story of Acknowledging Self Worth. I owe "Sarah, aka MR" a debt of gratitude.