Are You Worthy?
Most women, in fact, a huge 97% of women* answer this question with a resounding “No!”
Now, while you probably aren’t running up and down the streets of your hometown telling people that you think negatively about yourself, you’re probably still saying some pretty negative, nasty things to yourself in the shower, getting dressed, driving to work, walking up the stairs…well, you get the picture.
Is It True?
So, let’s look at this from a different perspective. If you were to look around you at all of the women that you come across, would you say that 97% of them aren’t worthy of effort, of success, of greatness?
How about this perspective: Think about a classroom of 8 year olds…what percentage of them are worthy?
Hope Is Not Lost!
The older you get, the harsher your thoughts become of yourself which makes it even harder to change. But that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck here.
Think of it this way: You are simply a child that has grown. However, there is the essence of that child, that younger you waiting for you to extend effort. She is worthy – think about her with her dreams and her hope of something different. I bet if you asked her, she would say that she believes you are worthy of every bit of greatness that you can wrap your arms around. And she would smile when it happened.
You are worthy of your own best effort…you simply have to start. Now, that’s some powerful thinking!
*Shaun Dreisbach, “Shocking Body-Image News: 97% of Women Will Be Cruel to Their Bodies Today,” Glamour (February 2011)
Be BOLD and Kick Your “Stuck” to the Curb™
Good food for thought, Deidre. I think we as women tend to be critical of ourselves.
Carlana, thank you for coming by!
Hi Deidre!
You are absolutely right that we are all worthy of our own best effort. I didn’t know the percentage of women who think they aren’t worth it was that high. That’s a sad statistic. And thank you for mentioning the children; if we all looked at ourselves like we look at our children, the world would be a much more self-affirming place indeed.
Glad we met via UBC. Cheers!
Hi Shelley – it is sad, isn’t it? The statistic is actually about women being critical of themselves, but I tend to think that when you’re critical of yourself, you also spend less time doing things that bring value to your persona. And yes, there’s something about thinking of children or ourselves as children that changes our response to be much less critical and more encouraging. Thank you for your comment! (Nice to meet you too!)
Deidre, great post! So uplifting. I just don’t believe for the fact that as we get older it has to become harder to change. We can do it, we just have to be willing to love ourselves more willingly, that’s the path I’m on. Lets keep making it easier for all of those around us. Wonderful message.
Dr. Samantha Joseph
Dr. Samantha – I completely agree! It doesn’t “have” to get harder to change. However, if someone isn’t aware of the negativity, hasn’t made efforts to train their thinking along the way, or as you said, to “love ourselves more willingly”, then it is more difficult. So glad that you’re on such a wonderful journey!
Wow staggering numbers! And working on changing my part in that statistic! Yes taking action to realize worthiness is a powerful way of thinking. Thanks for the info. Best Regards, Wendy UBC
Wendy, fantastic to hear that you are working out of the statistic on onto a wonderful path. 🙂
This topic is close to my heart – I still struggle with it sometimes, but I overcame quite a lot of beliefs around being worthy of whatever I wanted – money, love, joy… I think it’s important that people, not only women, are reminded that they are worth it!
Great job Deidre with reminding about that! 🙂
Thanks, Renata! I agree, it’s an issue that both men and women need to be reminded that they are worth it. Glad to hear that you’ve overcome much of debilitating beliefs. 🙂
I am finding that as I get older I am thriving on change and I am really happy with my life and feeling worthy of my best efforts. And you know what if feels great and wish everyone could feel as good about life as I do right now.
Congratulations, Kirsten!!
Low self worth and negative self talk – Two things that I think need to go!
“But that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck here.”
Awareness of them is the first step to get unstuck.
Arla, I couldn’t agree more. Awareness is the first step and for some, the most difficult because it requires slowing down and listening. Thanks for coming by.