How do I appreciate and embrace what I have or done ?

Post Reply New Topic

I know and other people tell me that I've come a long way since school, college, uni etc and done lots of things since then that other people perhaps have done at different time than me such as:

- Driving my own car for the last few years since my late 20s and had automatic lessons since my mid 20s
- Have had only one paid job which I have maintained for 7 or 8 years and earning my own money (I did do voluntary work and had some work experience before that)
- Travelled to 6 or 7 countries since my mid 20s (with family and never on my own)
- Been to only 2 or 3 concerts (mainly with family and never on my own)
- Been to one or two night clubs (with family) (even though it wasn't my scene and one I left because I couldn't stand the flashing lights.

But still feel as though there are bunch of other things I "should" or done but never did. I mean when I was saying about concerts and travelling, I like that stuff but I won't seem to do it or go on my own and I don't if that's because it's out of my comfort zone to be alone as I was used to doing it with mum and dad. I seem to think that's why I didn't go to New York in sixth form or to Amsterdam in university for that reason and it makes me feel bad that I wasn't confident in going then than I am now.

That's something my therapist has been working on with me. I think years of bullying and harassment have made me feel like I don't deserve credit for the good things I've done in life. Even when people compliment me I have a bad habit of self-deprecation. I've done some good things (married, three kids, a good job) but it's still hard for me to feel good about what I've accomplished.

Volunteer with groups of people who have much less than you, or watch YT videos of people who are struggling to overcome great adversity. Go Fund Me has lots of very eye-opening stories about tragedies and hardship that have befallen others. Read history about great humans who have had a much worse life than your own.

Then get into a habit of thinking about or writing down three things you're grateful for at any moment.