by Anitra Lahiri, RYT-500
I need to tell you something that you don’t hear often enough: You are worthy. Not because of what you have or haven’t done. Not because of your college degree or professional certificates or social media followers. Not because of your accomplishments.
But because of who you are, right now, in this moment. Yes, you — exactly as you are, even with your flaws, even though you’ve made mistakes, even though you still sometimes struggle, even though you have internal scars, and yes even that shadow side.
It’s easy to feel like you don’t measure up to the expectations of a society that thrives on social comparison and blind judgment. But those expectations are not truth. And they don’t get to dictate your worthiness.
If you’re living with a ‘“dark” past, dealing with a mental illness, battling addiction, or navigating the murky waters of self-doubt and societal shame, know this: None of these challenges takes away your value. None of those experiences diminishes the beauty of your existence. Yes, yours.
You are not unworthy.
On the contrary, actually. You are resilient. You’ve survived crazy-dark moments, days when you thought you wouldn’t make it through, but here you are … still standing. In a world that tries to reduce people to their mistakes or their diagnoses, you are a living testament to the strength of the human spirit, something no hater can take away from you.
You are not your mental illness.
You are not your mistakes.
You are not your past.
You are not any one aspect of your identity/
You are an incredibly complex, wholly unique individual who’s worthy of love and compassion, first and foremost from yourself.
So the next time those lies sneak into your mind — the ones that tell you that you’re not enough, that your past makes you less-than, that your worth is somehow tied to how well you “fit in” — take a deep breath. And remind yourself of this truth on the exhale:
You are enough, exactly as you are. And you are worthy of every good thing life has to offer.
Yes, you.
With compassion,
Someone Who Knows What It Feels Like
Anitra Lahiri is a dedicated yoga studio owner and self-love advocate, guiding individuals on their journey to healing and recovery.
Anitra Lahiri 