Learning to Receive the Maximum

“Trauma teaches you to expect and accept the bare minimum. In this new season, may you adjust your standards and learn to receive the maximum. You are worthy. You are enough. You deserve overflow.” This profound quote serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action. For many of us, life’s traumas, whether big or small, have unwittingly conditioned us to set our expectations low, to believe that the bare minimum is all we deserve. But what if we could shift this mindset? What if we could learn to embrace our inherent worth and welcome the abundance that life has to offer? This blog post is dedicated to exploring this transformative journey. It’s about recognizing the impact of trauma on our self-worth and, importantly, learning actionable ways to adjust our standards, not just for women but for everyone who has ever felt they deserved less.

Understanding the Impact of Trauma

Trauma, in its many forms, often leaves a lasting imprint on our psyche. It’s like a shadow, subtly influencing our decisions, feelings, and, crucially, our self-worth. From personal relationships to professional ambitions, the remnants of traumatic experiences can lead us to unconsciously accept less than we deserve, settling for the bare minimum in various aspects of life.

For instance, someone who has experienced emotional neglect might find themselves repeatedly in relationships where their needs are overlooked. Or, someone who has faced constant criticism may struggle to aim high in their career, hindered by a deep-seated fear of failure. It’s a protective mechanism, a way to shield ourselves from further hurt and disappointment. But in this self-preservation, we often lose sight of what we truly deserve.

Recognizing this pattern is the first step towards change. It involves understanding that these lowered standards are not reflections of our true worth, but rather responses to past traumas. By acknowledging this, we begin to pave the way for healing and transformation, setting the stage to adjust our standards and open ourselves to the maximum that life has to offer.

The Journey of Self-Worth

The path to recognizing and embracing our self-worth is both challenging and profoundly rewarding. It’s about understanding that our value isn’t contingent on external factors – what we’ve been through, what we have, or how others perceive us. Instead, it’s an intrinsic truth: you are worthy and enough, just as you are.

Consider the story of Maya, a woman I met during a wellness workshop. Maya grew up in a household where she was constantly told she wasn’t good enough. This belief followed her into adulthood, impacting her relationships and career choices. She always aimed low, fearing that aiming higher would only lead to disappointment. But through therapy and self-reflection, Maya learned to challenge these deep-seated beliefs. She started setting small, achievable goals, gradually building her confidence. As her self-worth grew, so did her ambitions. Maya’s journey wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. She learned to value herself and, in turn, raised her standards in every aspect of her life.

Your journey might be different from Maya’s, but the essence remains the same. It’s about slowly but surely shifting the internal narrative from “I don’t deserve” to “I am worthy of the best.”

Actionable Steps to Adjust Your Standards

Adjusting your standards is not just about demanding more; it’s about believing you are worthy of more. Here are some actionable steps to guide you on this journey:

Recognize and Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify the negative beliefs that hold you back. These could be thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve happiness.” Challenge these beliefs by asking yourself if they are truly accurate. Replace them with positive affirmations that reinforce your worth.Set Healthy Boundaries: Learning to say no is crucial. Set boundaries in relationships and work, ensuring that you are not compromising your well-being and values. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your needs.Practice Self-Care and Positive Affirmations: Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Engage in activities that nurture your body, mind, and soul. Daily affirmations can be a powerful tool in reshaping your self-image. Affirmations like “I am worthy of respect and love” or “My needs and desires are important” can have a profound impact.Seek Professional Help if Needed: Sometimes, the journey to adjusting our standards requires professional guidance. Therapists or counselors can provide valuable support and tools to navigate this process.Celebrate Every Victory: No step towards raising your standards is too small. Celebrate every bit of progress, be it setting a boundary, achieving a goal, or simply recognizing your worth.

Remember, adjusting your standards is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It’s about making small, consistent changes that gradually lead to a significant transformation in how you view yourself and what you expect from life. You are on a journey to embrace the maximum – a journey where you acknowledge that you are worthy, you are enough, and you indeed deserve overflow.

Celebrating Small Wins

In the journey of adjusting our standards and embracing our self-worth, every small victory matters. Celebrating these wins is not about grand gestures; it’s about acknowledging the progress you’re making. It could be as simple as taking a moment to recognize a boundary you set or a new opportunity you embraced. These celebrations reinforce the positive changes you’re making and fuel your journey forward. Remember, each small win is a step closer to fully realizing and living in your worth. So, take time to honor these moments. They are significant milestones in your path to receiving the maximum.

As we journey through life, let us remember the power of our worth. You are worthy of the maximum in every season of your life. Embrace it, live it, and never settle for less. You are enough, and you indeed deserve an overflow of all that is good.