As I enjoyed a leisurely coffee with an old friend, she inquired about my recent career changes. After transitioning to a new field a few years ago, I’ve dedicated myself to establishing my place and am finally beginning to see the fruits of my labor. My friend was thrilled to hear about my promotion, wrapping me in a warm hug. Yet, instead of relishing the moment, I found myself downplaying my success. “Oh, it’s really not that big of a deal,” I said, quickly shifting the conversation to other topics.
That moment has lingered with me for quite some time. Why was it so difficult to revel in my accomplishments? Why couldn’t I just say, “Absolutely! Let’s celebrate! I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved, and I appreciate you noticing!” I’ve put in countless hours honing my skills, often sacrificing time with my family and household responsibilities. I’ve fought hard to gain recognition in a field that’s notoriously competitive, and I am genuinely good at what I do. I’ve earned the right to accept compliments with grace.
Yet, when praise comes my way, I often find myself brushing it off. It’s almost as if I fear that acknowledging my success might come across as bragging. After all, no one wants to be seen as a humblebragger, right?
I know I’m not alone in this. I see women deflecting compliments and minimizing their accomplishments every day. It’s become clear to me that we all share a common struggle with celebrating our victories, whether at work or in our roles as mothers. We often belittle our successes, conditioned to be self-deprecating instead.
Take the mother who organizes a successful school event but downplays her efforts by saying, “I had a lot of help.” Or the talented author who shies away from sharing her book’s success on the bestseller list, attributing it to her agency’s marketing. And let’s not forget the mom whose kids are well-behaved, yet she brushes off compliments with, “Oh, you should’ve seen them earlier!”
Why do we do this? We are powerful women, tackling challenges every day, and we should take pride in our accomplishments. Parenting demanding toddlers and navigating tricky workplaces is no small feat, yet we rise to the occasion daily.
So when will we embrace our awesomeness? When will we allow ourselves to acknowledge the incredible things we’ve done, from raising children to advancing our careers? The time is now. We must stop apologizing for our achievements.
Let’s stop downplaying our hard work. If someone compliments you, own it. Say “thank you” and allow yourself to feel pride in your accomplishments. Share the journey that got you to where you are. Say, “Yes, I did that, and I’m proud of it!”
Every woman deserves to recognize her strength. Motherhood is an incredible challenge, requiring unwavering dedication and resilience. It’s about nurturing our children and ensuring they grow into kind individuals. Being a successful professional means confronting gender biases and fighting for our rightful place in the workplace.
We are phenomenal, and we are dismantling barriers every day. When someone acknowledges your efforts, accept that praise with confidence. Honor your hard work and let it resonate.
So, stop what you’re doing right now and remind yourself, “I am powerful.” Because you are, and you don’t need to apologize for it.
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Summary
Women often hesitate to celebrate their successes, downplaying achievements due to societal conditioning. It’s time to embrace our accomplishments and accept compliments gracefully. Acknowledging hard work fosters self-confidence and encourages a culture of support among women.
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