The Link Between Worthiness and Mental Health
The Mental Toll of Feeling Unworthy
Imagine this: You’ve just scrolled through social media, and it seems like everyone has their life together – great jobs, relationships, and amazing holidays. But when you look at yourself, you feel like you’re not measuring up. You start questioning your own self-worth. Sound familiar? For many people, feeling worthy can be a daily struggle and this struggle can deeply affect mental health.
What is Worthiness?
At its core, worthiness is the sense of believing that you are good enough, just as you are. It’s about accepting who you are without needing to prove yourself to others. But in a world where comparisons are rampant and self-worth is often tied to achievements, how do you maintain that belief in yourself?
Feeling unworthy can have a big impact on your mental health. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The way we see ourselves affects everything from our confidence to the choices we make. If we don’t feel like we are deserving of good things, we may hold ourselves back from opportunities or surround ourselves with toxic people. Over time, this erodes our resilience and can make it hard to bounce back from setbacks.
Why Do We Struggle with Worthiness?
Many young people face pressure from all directions – from parents, school, society, and social media. There’s a constant push to look a certain way, achieve certain goals or live a particular lifestyle. All of this can make you question your own worth, especially when you feel like you’re falling short.
Low self-worth often stems from negative beliefs picked up over time, like “I’m not smart enough” or “I’m not attractive enough.” These beliefs can be formed through childhood experiences, social comparisons, or repeated failures. The danger comes when we internalise these thoughts and let them shape our identity.
The Connection to Mental Health
When feelings of unworthiness persist, they can lead to mental health issues. People with low self-worth are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, and even social isolation. It can become a cycle – feeling unworthy causes mental health issues, which then reinforce the feelings of unworthiness. Breaking this cycle is key to building mental resilience.
Mental resilience is about bouncing back from adversity, and feeling worthy plays a big role in that. If you believe you are deserving of happiness, love, and success, you’ll be more likely to recover when things go wrong. But if you constantly doubt your worth, every setback feels like confirmation that you’re not good enough.
How to Build Your Sense of Worthiness
Building your sense of worthiness starts with self-compassion. Be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned, and remind yourself that everyone has setbacks. Instead of criticising yourself, think of how you would talk to a friend in the same situation.
Another way to reinforce worthiness is by surrounding yourself with positive influences. Choose friends who lift you up, not people who bring you down. And remember, social media is just a highlight reel – you’re only seeing the best parts of people’s lives, not the full story. Blocking accounts that make you feel bad is a good step into a ‘cleaner’ mental environment. If it’s a friend’s account, just mute them.
Finally, focus on what you can control. Achievements don’t define your worth, but your efforts and how you treat yourself and others do. Practice gratitude, celebrate your progress, and acknowledge your growth.
You Are Worthy
Whether you’re struggling with your mental health or just want to improve your resilience, knowing that you are worthy is key. It takes time to develop this mindset, but with practice and self-compassion, you can live a more fulfilling life, and truly know your self worth.
