Your past self has helped you get to where you are today.
You may not agree with many of the choices you’ve made in the past.
But acknowledge that you were trying your best.
You were growing.
You faced so many challenges and disappointments, spent so many nights crying silently, and still found the strength to carry on.
When you do decide to let go of your old self, don't forget to express gratitude to it.
When you take the time to acknowledge your experiences, choices, and mistakes, you can finally move on.
Have you just not been feeling good enough? Admitting that you’re struggling emotionally takes courage.
Take it from me.
I tried to hide my inner pain for many years, wearing plenty of masks. That is, until I finally got to a point where I just didn’t have an ounce of energy left to do anything.
I was done. I was in tremendous inner pain, shame, fear, and apathy.
Looking back, I was trying so hard to come off as this strong, independent, successful woman because I didn’t want anyone to know how hollow I was inside.
I felt weak. I also felt if I talked about it with others, they would judge me.
After I hit an emotional bottom, I reached out for help.
I just didn’t know how to process the intense, negative emotions I was experiencing. I sought help in a codependency support group and a therapist.
The first months of codependency recovery were very tough emotionally. Plenty of emotions were happening - and I did not know how to handle them. I remember feeling like a piece of dirt. I felt sad, lonely, and full of regret.
My self-worth was below zero on a scale.
If so, I understand – and I feel for you.
For me, I started digging into my childhood to see if I’d experienced trauma that was contributing to depression, anxiety, and low self-worth. I did some digging myself and also with a therapist.
Read this next: How Childhood Trauma Affects You as an Adult & How to Seek Help
You see, lots of factors play a role in the way we see ourselves today, including:
Dysfunctional childhoods tend to foster poor self-esteem in children. Lack of warmth and encouragement growing up minimizes self-worth.
Likewise, using alcohol and drugs have the same effect. They are certainly “downers” and can strip self-worth incredibly fast.
If you struggle with low self-worth, consider doing some inner self-exploration. You can do this on your own and/or with the help of a qualified therapist. There are also some wonderful support groups you can attend to grow stronger emotionally and socially.
In fact, many allow you to get a sponsor (mentor) and work through 12 Steps to help you get to know yourself better.
My sponsor in Codependents Anonymous was a godsend. She was there for me no matter what – on my good days and my horrible days. I remember calling her when my emotions were so out of control and I’m thinking to myself, “She must think I’m absolutely insane!”
However, she was always there for me. She picked up the phone knowing she was going to hear some dramatic, cry baby story. Yet she never judged me. She affirmed my experience and encouraged me. That unconditional love helped me baby step my way to gaining self-worth.
As you dig into your past a bit, commit to healing what needs to be healed and then letting it go. Forgive others; forgive yourself; forgive society. Take full responsibility for your level of happiness. You are not your past.
Make a list of positive affirmations. If you think and say these out loud, you will begin to feel differently about yourself.
You don’t have to feel sad, miserable, or resentful. You can feel happy, joyous, and free – at least the majority of the time!
Here are some positive affirmations you can print out and repeat often out loud. As you do, your self-esteem and worth will be given a good boost:
If you'd prefer a guided affirmation, try one of our videos!
You can also read inspirational and encouraging books and watch videos to increase your self-worth.
There are plenty of free resources online. Take some time to invest in yourself in various ways.
Change is a process and it’s progress you’re after; not perfection.
I believe in you and I am cheering you on.
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Inspiring oneself
Great
Inspire and motivate myself
I believe it make a difference to inspire and motivate myself .it transform my thinking and I feel good about myself.
Very Inspiring
Thank you!
Very Inspiring
Thank you!
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Very helpful!
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Excellent, I appreciate
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Thank you for believing in me.
Shadowing
Great information and concepts.
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Thank you for this, I needed this today! So much appreciated!
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I love what has been written.
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Very Interesting - help me to follow some more !!
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Well written. Thoughtful and true
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anytime is a good time to start something new
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Loved the text. Thank you. I related with that. Thank good i AM not the ONLY One feeling like that
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Thank you
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Yes, change is a process and it becomes progress after, and it is not a perfection. I completely agree. Letting go of the past and take fully responsibility of your own happiness.
Thank you for the great tips to move forward.
Forgiveness
More on forgiveness, starting with self forgiveness please!
The universe is giving me what I need to love n respect myself. I am enough!
100% you ARE enough, T. 🙂
Your article helped normalize for me that it is ok to not feel ok. By opening up and being honest with others, I could begin to work towards the best version of myself. Thank you.
That's great to hear Peg! So many of us feel like we can't share how we really feel, but then we're just internalizing negative things. And making things up in our heads, a lot of the time. Saying it out loud can disarm the power you give your negative thoughts, plus bring you comfort from people who may feel exactly as you do! Wishing you luck 🙂
Thank you for the articles you’re sharing. I read them everyday. They help me in my self love, self -care and self improvement journey❤️.
Thank YOU Edralyn for telling us how much you enjoy them! You are one of the reasons we do what we do - stay on that track and keep taking care of yourself 🙂
I want to say how much I enjoy and look forward to reading the motivation of the day.It happens to be spot on exactly when I need it most! Thank you for getting me through real tough times, I want you to know it helps me tremendously!Thank you!!!
That's wonderful to hear Linda, thank you for sharing that with us! We are grateful to have people like you in our community, and that you have found our site helpful. 🙂
I know I am enough,but most of the time I do not feel it. I used to be full of energy and spirit,but my spirit has gone. My job is always saying if you can not get your team together you're getting written up. I know I do my best at my job I work with s lot of minors looking just for a paycheck. My boss is not very inspiring so my energy is negative
Hi Michelle, that doesn't sound like a healthy environment. Is there anything at your job that could inspire you? Do you love what you do? Is there anyone there who you could team up with or who you admire? If not, is it possible for you to look for another job at a company that does inspire you or provides some kind of mentorship or growth support? It's understandable that you would feel like this, but try to take a step back and see what you CAN control. You don't have to accept a negative environment. Do what you can to change things for the better and think about moving on if you can't.
I am so grateful for the daily motivation, first think I look at when I wake up.
Usually seems to apply to me and gives me a boos.
That's great to hear Marge! We're so happy to give you a boost when you need it :). Thank you for telling us!
First thing. I look at…..
Gives me a boost!!
Corrections to typos
Thanks Marge!! 🙂
Yes
This is very powerful healing and motivation I look forward to read daily motivation everyday I try to follow them,still I need to change a lot,I am having my knee surgery next month and it is frightening,please guide me on this.
Thankyou very much
We're wishing you well on your knee surgery Nila. If you are feeling a lot of anxiety around your procedure (Which is totally normal), speak to your doctor about your concerns, or to help you find a counselor or someone to give you extra support. Our site can provide motivation or ways to help you calm your brain, but if your worries go beyond that, please reach out to a professional. Can you lean on family or your friend group to give you extra help or support? Ask for help if you need it, even if it's just an extra phone call, or to talk about your fears.
Love this app had never made time to focus on it before
Thank you, I always read your emails.
Thank you Geraldine! We love to hear that we're part of your day! We're grateful for your support 🙂
GOODMORNING I DONT START MY DAY UNLESS I READ OUR EMAILS.
We're so happy to hear it Maria!! Thank you for your support, we're grateful to have you in our community 🙂
Thank you so much for the uplifting e mails ever day. They help me so much. Thank you ❤️
Thank YOU for reading every day Brenda! We're so grateful for you 🙂
Am I a good person
Hi Maureen, I'm curious why you are asking? Are you having some self-doubt or a low day? Are you generally worried you may not be a good person? I don't know you, but I do believe that anyone is capable of being a good person and doing good things if they choose to. I hope that helps a little.
Thank you
Thank you for reading Maureen 🙂