As I enjoyed a cup of coffee with my friend Lily, who I hadn’t seen in ages, she asked about my new career. After transitioning fields a few years back, I’ve dedicated myself to building a reputation, and I’m finally starting to reap the rewards of my hard work. Excited to hear about my recent promotion, Lily enveloped me in a warm hug, but instead of celebrating, I found myself brushing off my accomplishments. “Oh, thanks, but it’s really not that big of a deal,” I said, quickly changing the subject.
That moment has lingered in my mind. Why am I struggling to embrace my achievements? Why can’t I just say, “Absolutely! Let’s celebrate! I did an amazing job, and I’m proud of it. Thanks for recognizing my efforts!”
I’ve put in countless hours to prove my worth in this new career. I’ve sacrificed personal time and family duties to sharpen my skills and navigate a competitive landscape. I’ve earned my place, and I’m good at what I do. Seriously good. I should relish the compliments I receive because I’ve earned that acknowledgment through sheer determination and hard work.
Yet, with each milestone I reach, I find it easier to quietly congratulate myself than to accept accolades from others. It’s as if I fear that acknowledging my success might come off as arrogant. After all, nobody enjoys a humblebragger, right?
And I know I’m not alone in this. It’s a common sight to see women deflecting praise and minimizing their accomplishments. Every day, I witness this trend among the women around me, reminding me that we often struggle to celebrate our victories, whether in our professional lives or as mothers.
Take the mom who meticulously organizes a school event only to shrug off compliments with, “Oh, I had plenty of help.” Or the successful author who downplays her book hitting The New York Times bestseller list, attributing it all to her agency’s promotional efforts. And then there’s the mother with well-behaved kids who dismissively claims, “You should have seen them earlier!”
Seriously, ladies? We are incredible forces of nature, tackling challenges daily, from managing temperamental toddlers to navigating cutthroat workplaces. We rise to these challenges without breaking a sweat, yet we hesitate to acknowledge our achievements.
When will we recognize that we are extraordinary in what we accomplish every single day? When will we allow ourselves to celebrate the fact that we’ve nurtured children and built thriving careers? It’s time to embrace and accept the praise we so rightfully deserve.
Let’s make a pact: no more apologizing for our success. If someone compliments your hard work, own it! Say “thank you.” Take pride in the effort it took to reach your goals, and don’t shy away from proclaiming, “Yes, I did that!” In fact, stop right now and say, “I am amazing!” Because you truly are, and amazing people don’t apologize for their greatness.
So let’s support each other in owning our successes. Motherhood is a monumental undertaking, filled with tireless, often unrecognized effort. It’s an immense responsibility to raise kind, respectful children while managing our own lives.
Being a successful professional means battling against gender biases every day. It means standing up to anyone who tries to undermine our worth as we juggle work and home life. We are powerful, and we are dismantling the barriers that hold us back.
The next time you receive a compliment, embrace it. Accept it with a smile and a nod. Let’s create a culture where we uplift one another and recognize our achievements. We’ve earned it!
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Summary
It’s time for women to stop downplaying their successes and to embrace their achievements wholeheartedly. We need to support each other in accepting compliments and recognizing our hard work in both motherhood and our careers. By owning our accomplishments, we can foster a culture of confidence and empowerment.