Life shapes us in myriad ways, some beautiful and others deeply painful. Difficult experiences, unhealthy relationships, and societal expectations often plant distortions within us—beliefs about who we are and what we’re worth. These distortions can grow silently, overshadowing our true selves and replacing authenticity with a version of us built to meet the needs of others. But there comes a time when we can choose to reclaim ourselves.

At the heart of this reclamation is recognising the unconditional nature of self-worth. We are taught, directly or indirectly, that our worth depends on our achievements, how well we please others, or how closely we align with external ideals. Over time, this conditional view of self-worth creates a fractured sense of identity, making us question our value whenever we fall short of someone else’s expectations. But the truth is, self-worth isn’t earned; it simply exists. It’s a birthright, untouched by others' opinions or the roles we’ve been cast into.

Reclaiming ourselves begins with the courage to look beyond the distortions and rediscover the person we are at our core. This is a process of untangling who we are from what others have needed us to be. It’s recognising when we’ve been moulded by someone else’s pain, anger, or inadequacy, and gently setting those false versions of ourselves aside.

As we uncover our true selves, we also build what might be called psychological solidity. Solidity is a profound inner strength and comfort that doesn’t depend on external validation. It’s the quiet confidence of standing firm in your own truth, even when the world tries to sway you. When we develop this solidity, we become anchored in our own values, emotions, and needs—allowing us to respond to life with clarity and resilience.

Reclaiming ourselves is not a quick fix or an overnight transformation; it’s a journey of self-awareness, healing, and self-compassion. But each small step we take toward recognising our inherent worth and uncovering our real self brings us closer to a life of authenticity and inner peace.

Let us begin this journey, not with self-criticism, but with an open heart. Our worth has always been there, waiting for us to see it.