Steps Toward Reclaiming Your Worth
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t trust myself to make the right decision,”you’re not alone.
These thoughts don’t appear out of thin air. For many people who grew up with emotionally immature parents, self-worth was something they had to earn - through achievement, people-pleasing, or staying quiet. Over time, you learn to doubt your instincts, ignore your needs, and look to others for validation.
But your worth was never meant to be conditional.
And you can rebuild the trust you’ve lost with yourself.
Here are some practical, gentle steps to help you begin.
Start Noticing the Voice of Self-Doubt - Without Believing It
The first step in reclaiming your worth isn’t to silence the self-doubt (that rarely works). It’s to notice it.
Get curious. When your inner voice says something critical, ask:
Where have I heard this before?
Is this actually true - or just familiar?
What would I say to someone I care about in this situation?
Creating space between your thoughts and your truth is the first act of self-trust.
Name Your Needs Without Apologising
Emotionally immature parents often responded to your needs with irritation, dismissal, or guilt-tripping. As a result, asking for what you need might now feel selfish or dramatic.
But your needs aren’t too much. They’re human.
Try writing down:
One physical need (e.g. rest, food, movement)
One emotional need (e.g. reassurance, space, connection)
One boundary you wish you could set
Then practise acknowledging those needs without justifying or minimising them.
Your needs matter - even if you’re the only one meeting them right now.
Take One ‘Self-Trust Risk’ Each Week
Rebuilding confidence means learning that your choices are valid - even when they go against what others expect. This can feel terrifying at first. But start small.
Each week, try something like:
Saying no without over-explaining
Making a decision without asking three people first
Expressing an opinion, even if someone might disagree
These small risks start to teach your nervous system that you’ve got you.
And that’s the foundation of self-worth.
Track Evidence of Growth, Not Just Productivity
If your worth was tied to being ‘the good one’ or the high achiever growing up, it’s easy to confuse burnout for success.
But real growth might look like:
Saying no
Taking a break
Letting yourself cry
Not fixing someone else’s problem
Try keeping a ‘self-worth journal’ - just one sentence a day. Focus on moments when you honoured yourself, however small. You’re shifting the narrative from “I’m only valuable when I perform” to “I’m worthy, full stop.”
Remember, You Don’t Have To Do This Alone
Healing from the impact of emotionally immature parenting takes time, support, and care. It’s not about blaming - it’s about understanding. And from that place of understanding, you can begin to rewrite the story you’ve been carrying.
My E.I.P. Framework was created to guide clients through this exact journey:
Explore the Impact of your upbringing
Identify and Integrate Your Needs
Put It Into Practice with new boundaries, beliefs, and behaviours
Reclaiming your worth isn’t a quick fix.
But it is possible - with the right support.
Ready to Start Reclaiming Your Self-Worth?
If you’re ready to let go of old beliefs and rebuild your relationship with yourself, I’d love to support you.
You can book a session here, or find out more about my therapy approach and the E.I.P. Framework on this page.
Let’s start gently reconnecting you with your worth.
It’s been there all along.
