She Strengthens

The Paradox of Self-Denial

Have you ever noticed how often high-achieving women downplay their accomplishments and deflect praise? It’s a phenomenon that fascinates me, and one that I’ve personally struggled with for years. This tendency to disown credit and instead focus on our perceived shortcomings is a contradictory behavior that’s both puzzling and pervasive.

A Learned Behavior

I don’t believe this self-denial is an innate female trait, but rather a learned response to the double standards and societal pressures that women face. As we navigate the complexities of our professional, cultural, and political landscape, we’re often forced to adopt coping mechanisms that can be detrimental to our well-being. This self-denial can become second nature, making it difficult to recognize and challenging to overcome.

Rethinking Self-Care

That’s why I was struck by Sarah Von Bargen’s thought-provoking article, “23 Ways to Treat Yourself Without Spending Money.” Von Bargen begins by sharing her own go-to treats, from Parmesan cheese to beauty magazines, but then takes a step back to examine the self-denial underlying her choices. Rather than dwelling on guilt or shame, she offers practical solutions for breaking free from this cycle of self-contradiction.

Practical Solutions

Von Bargen’s approach is refreshing because it focuses on tangible actions rather than abstract ideals. By providing 23 concrete ways to treat ourselves without spending money, she empowers us to take control of our self-care and reject the notion that we must sacrifice our well-being to succeed.

Weekly Reads

This week, I’ve curated a selection of articles that explore themes of personal growth, finance, and self-awareness. From the concept of a “minimum viable home” to the importance of monitoring our spending, these pieces offer valuable insights and practical advice.

• The Minimum Viable Home by Exile Lifestyle: A thought-provoking exploration of what it means to create a home that truly reflects our values and needs.
• A Formula Better Than Compound Interest by Investment Zen: A clever analysis of the power of compounding and its potential to transform our financial lives.
• What The F*ck Are We Doing? by Brooklyn To Mars: A searing critique of our consumerist culture and the ways in which it perpetuates debt and dissatisfaction.
• What It Feels Like To Be a Multi-Millionaire by Millennial Money Man: A fascinating glimpse into the lives of multi-millionaires and the lessons we can learn from their experiences.
• I Don’t Budget – I Monitor by Daily Worth: A practical guide to simplifying our finances and achieving greater control over our spending.
• If You’re Good at Ignoring People, You’ll Be Good at Investing by Road To A Tesla: A contrarian approach to investing that emphasizes the importance of tuning out the noise and staying focused on our goals.