Do You Feel Worthless?

Feeling worthless is one of the worst feelings in the world and the most difficult to overcome because we rarely value in ourselves what we value in others. Using a personal example, I highly value compassion in others and myself, but it is not enough to make me feel as though I have worth. What we value is often not what we view as having worth, and this can be a complex and confusing internal state. Once we embrace that this disconnect exists, we can address the underlying issue of our loss of value to ourselves. It starts with being brutally honest about what we covet. What we covet holds the key to what we think truly has worth. What we think makes things have value, including ourselves. When we dissect what we yearn for, we can learn what will make us feel worthy.

I’m going to pick a controversial desire to create an example. Many yearn to be thin. When we examine desired body weight, research informs us that it is not the size or weight itself but rather what people imagine will happen when they reach a specific weight. Usually, this ideal weight rarely provides what the individual is seeking because there are no universals life. No body size will create a universal impression. What is it you are truly seeking? What is it that gives a person worth that would make them worthy of more good days than bad? For me personally, it is my level of agency. The more control I have over my life, the more worthy I feel of the life I have. This does not need to be your answer. Your truth is not my truth, and you have your own value system. Our value system is connected to our core truths, and for better or worse until we face these truths, we will struggle to have self-worth.

Valuing agency and autonomy is rooted in my core belief that I am responsible for my impact on the world around me. This was taught to me at a young age. I have been an activist since I was 5 years old, and I went door to door with my mother to gain signatures to get an anti-domestic violence bill into law. This created a core value that my worth is measured against my ability to create positive change. I have learned that changing myself is the most powerful thing I can do, and self love is the most profound love I can create. When I love myself and believe I have worth, it is easier to love others and see their worth. We all must start from where we are and move step by step to where we want to be. I started with a lesson that I learned at 5 and then walked towards myself, and for a while that meant turning away from others and towards myself. It’s ok to be selfish on the journey to discovering what makes you worthy because, trust me, you are worthy. Right now, today, you are worthy of having more good days than bad. I promise you.

Posted on Monday: 19 June, 2023