For many, August signals back-to-school season—whether that’s elementary classrooms, college dorms, or graduate studies. Some adapt to this back-to-school shift with ease, while for others, moving from one rhythm to another can feel disorienting and stressful, and induce depression.
A few weeks ago, I was having dinner with friends when one of them shared her personal challenge: to try something new each month. As she recounted the experiences she had pursued so far this year, I felt admiration rise—and then something else.
We hear a lot about self-care—eat well, sleep, meditate. These things matter. But sometimes, what we need isn’t more advice or another routine. What we need is a deeper way of relating to ourselves.
Life moves quickly. Between work, relationships, and the daily demands of living, there’s often little space to pause.
Resistance is information.
When we face a blank page or a creative block, it’s easy to assume something is wrong. But it’s often part of the process. It reflects our fears, perfectionism, or inner doubts—not failure.
It’s a quiet question that lives in many of us: Do I truly deserve love and self-worth?
For some, the answer feels clear. For others, it’s complicated. And for many, it’s buried beneath layers of overachievement, perfectionism, or silence.
A friend recently challenged me with a simple but profound invitation: practice deservedness.
And ever since, the word has been echoing in my mind.
Deservedness. Deservedness.
What do I believe I truly deserve?…
What Do I Deserve? Deservedness is a powerful theme that often arises in holistic counseling and life coaching. Many people carry unspoken beliefs about what they deserve — and these beliefs can quietly shape self-worth, relationships, and emotional well-being. Understanding your self-worth is crucial for personal growth. For example, someone might think: Deservedness in Trauma-Informed
