This Mindful Monday, I’m sharing a simple but way powerful affirmation that can transform your shame and your life! I am enough.
Last week, we talked about shame. That feeling of “never enough” or “I’m a failure”. It’s a powerfully painful emotion and the only way to combat shame is to talk about it.
And many of us feel shame all too often because we live in a society of “never enough.” Always striving to do more and be more. Always connected on social media, we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others – “if only I could do this more like her”, “if only i look/be more like him.” Always hustling. Always striving. Always reaching. Never completely content.
I’ll be the first to raise my hand that I fall into this category. I have a natural tendency to always be looking for more, in my work, in my home, in my relationships, in my quest for travel. Never fully satisfied. While I think this tendency is productive to a degree, driving me forward in my business and personal growth, I think it’s also damaging. How long can you hustle before you burn out? How does the “never enough” mentality affect your well-being? Your self-esteem? Your confidence? Your outlook on life? Your happiness?
At what point can you stop and say “I am enough.”
I. AM. ENOUGH.
Say it. Say it out loud. Now say it three more times out loud. Ok, now I want you to really believe it and say it three more times.
How do you feel?
I love this affirmation – it’s so simple and yet so powerful. There was a period of time when I would look at myself in the mirror and say this out loud to myself. I think it’s even more powerful when you look at yourself when you say these affirmations. Do you meditate? Use this as a mantra for your meditation practice. Or, say this to yourself in the morning when you’re getting ready in front of a mirror.
I talked about Brene Brown in my post last week and I’m going to share another quote of hers today from Daring Greatly: “Wholeheartedness. There are many tenets of Wholeheartedness, but at its very core is vulnerability and worthiness; facing uncertainty, exposure, and emotional risks, and knowing that I am enough.”
Speaking of influential authors on this topic matter, Pema Chodron, a Buddhist Teacher and Author, writes in her book, Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, “We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement.”
My father loves this line and often repeats it to me during troubled times “You already have everything you need.” Think about this line though for a second. Let it sink in. Do you think you already have everything you need? You must. If you’re here, living and breathing, you must have everything you need right now. So, why the hustle?
Chodron goes on to explain “we need to stop telling ourselves ‘there’s something wrong with me.’ For example, there is nothing wrong with way you look, or the way you keep your home. That’s what I’m getting at, is if self-improvement means that I’m going to be different than I am now. Instead, we should tell ourselves ‘there’s nothing wrong here. I haven’t done anything wrong.’
I can’t say I agree with Chodron that there is no need for self-improvement. I think growing and evolving is all part of the human experience. But I also get where she’s coming from and I agree. We need to let go of the notion that something is wrong with us and that’s why we need to improve. Nothing is wrong with you. You are enough.
I’m going to be inviting in this mantra “I am enough” during my meditation practice this week and I invite you to join me in keeping this affirmation with you throughout the week. And please, share your experiences here. How does it feel to repeat the affirmation? Do you believe it? I’d love to hear from you guys.
You are enough.
I believe, because our society tells us to hustle more, do more, but for who? The rich, the corporations, and we work we work, feeling we aren’t enough, it’s not true, it’s just bad that social Media makes everyone feel inadequate, comparison, and rejections makes it even worse, we just have to try and experience acceptance and understand where our these thoughts come from, of course I wanna richer and smarter and healthier, but for myself, not for the greedy for whom its never enough…. Just yesterday I had this Epiphany, and I am proud of where I am…. of what I am doing.
Loved your post.
Thank you Alexei. You shared some beautiful thoughts. I’m glad my post resonated.
I too was a victim of self shame
Ofter reading this article I’m feelings very positive
Thnqq soo much for the motivation
Thank you for sharing, I’m sorry to hear about your negative experiences. I’m happy to have been able to provide some support 🙂
This was a GREAT post to start the week with 🙂 Thank you, Kara!
I’m so glad! Thanks Tara!
It definitely is a very positive and meaningful post.
And such posts are always written by a person who is a traveller, doing what he loves which many out there actually wish to do – quoting – And many of us feel shame all too often because we live in a society of “never enough.”
How do we explain or talk about this
Thank you so much – I totally agree with your comment about our “never enough” society. I think it’s important to talk about shame to those who you feel safe with and have your back no matter what. When we speak shame, we squash it, so it’s important to get it out there. You can start by owning your story: https://karalydon.b.wpstage.net/mindfulmonday/why-you-should-own-your-story/.
I love that quote, “we already have everything we need.” Truly beautiful to think about. I know we’ve both talked about it, but I so relate with you on always struggling for more. Sometimes I challenge myself by asking “what would be enough.” Occasionally, I can come up with an answer of what would truly satisfy my needs – in that case, I go for it. But most of the time, I’m just striving for MORE or BETTER, not something specific. Great post!
Thanks for sharing, Rachael. I love that challenge of asking yourself what would be enough.
That was one of my favorites from “The Gifts of Imperfection”. Wrote it down on my bathroom mirror as a reminder!
Love it, Emily!!
Well said Kara- a great reminder of what I’ve been needing in my life, and perfectly parallels my post for tomorrow!
Awesome, Elizabeth. I need to read your post!
Just what I needed this week!
Glad to hear it, Rebecca!
Thank you SO much for this beautifully written post. So helpful 🙂
You’re so welcome, Kim. xx