Let's talk about something many moms struggle with but rarely discuss.
Success.
Not achieving it.
Accepting it.
For many women, success feels uncomfortable.
Why?
Because somewhere along the way, they were taught that success wasn't meant for them.
Maybe they were told:
- "Don't get your hopes up."
- "You don’t deserve to be successful."
- "You should focus on family before yourself."
- "If you’re successful it’s because you’re selfish."
Maybe they heard those messages from family.
Maybe from friends.
Maybe from society.
Maybe they've repeated those messages to themselves for so long that they now believe them.
When Failure Feels Familiar
One of the biggest dangers of negative messages is that eventually we get used to them.
We get used to:
- Disappointment
- Negative thinking
- Feeling inadequate
- Quitting before we really try
Over time, failure starts to feel familiar.
And familiarity feels comfortable.
Even when it's hurting us.
When Success Feels Uncomfortable
Then something good happens.
An opportunity comes your way.
Someone compliments you.
A relationship starts going well.
You accomplish something you've worked hard for.
And instead of celebrating...
You become uncomfortable.
You begin questioning it.
You tell yourself:
- "This is too good to be true."
- "There must be some mistake."
- "I don't deserve this."
- "It's only a matter of time before I mess this up."
And without realizing it, you begin pulling away from the very thing you've been wanting.
Why?
Because success feels unfamiliar.
And unfamiliar can feel scary.
The Hidden Cost of Self-Sabotage
How many opportunities have been lost because someone didn't believe they deserved them?
How many relationships have been damaged because someone couldn't accept being loved?
How many dreams have been abandoned because someone convinced themselves they weren't worthy of success?
Self-sabotage doesn't always look dramatic.
Sometimes it looks like:
- Not applying
- Not showing up
- Giving up too soon
- Talking yourself out of opportunities
- Refusing compliments
- Finding reasons why success won't last
And the more we repeat that pattern, the stronger it becomes.
How Do We Change It?
The answer is simple.
Acceptance.
We must learn to accept success with the same open arms we've accepted failure.
That compliment about your outfit?
Success.
That meal you worked hard on that everyone loved?
Success.
That opportunity that came your way?
Success.
That difficult conversation you handled well?
Success.
The progress you've made that nobody else can see?
Success.
Start recognizing it.
Start accepting it.
Start celebrating it.
Build a New Habit
What happens when you begin acknowledging your successes?
You create a new pattern.
You begin expecting good things.
You begin noticing progress.
You begin feeling proud of your efforts.
Most importantly...
You develop a HABIT of creating success and feeling good about it.
And that habit can change your life.
A Question for You
When success knocks...
Do you let it in?
Or do you find a reason to send it away?
Take a moment and reflect.
If this is something you struggle with, let us know in the comments. Ask questions. Share your experiences.
We're here to help.
Because we want you to be Confident.
We want you to be Resilient.
And never forget...
You're already Beautiful.
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