The Celebratory Collection

  Part of my “Learning to Believe You Deserve Good Things” series During my childhood, I was told that I wasn’t worth anything. I heard hurtful words about who I was, what I deserved, and what I would become. When you hear those things repeatedly—especially from people who are supposed to love and protect you—they can become the voice inside your own head. I didn’t just hear those words. I grew up believing them. I began to believe that I wasn’t good enough. I believed I didn’t deserve nice things, happiness, love, or peace. Whenever I tried to choose something good for myself, I felt guilty. I questioned whether I deserved it. Even when something positive happened, part of me waited for it to disappear because I had been taught not to expect good things. Those childhood words followed me into adulthood. They affected how I saw myself, the choices I made, and what I accepted from other people. Sometimes I stayed quiet when I should have spoken up. Sometimes I put everyone else befo...

  Today, I’m beginning a new series about something many of us struggle with: learning to believe we deserve good things. You may wonder why anyone would have difficulty believing they deserve happiness, love, peace, success, or kindness. But when you have experienced abuse, trauma, rejection, or years of being made to feel like you don’t matter, believing you deserve something good can be difficult. Sometimes, the hardest part of healing isn’t recognizing what hurt you. It’s learning to believe you are worthy of something better. When You’ve Been Taught You Don’t Deserve More For a long time, I was made to feel like I didn’t matter. I was told and shown that I didn’t deserve nice things or good experiences. Eventually, those hurtful messages became thoughts I repeated to myself. Even when I had an opportunity to do something for myself, I often felt guilty. Instead of enjoying it, I questioned whether I deserved it. I felt like taking care of myself was selfish and that spending t...

  For a long time, self-care did not feel natural to me. It felt selfish. It felt uncomfortable. Sometimes, it even made me feel guilty. My abuser made me believe that I did not matter. I was told—through words and actions—that I did not deserve nice things, good experiences, happiness, or peace. After hearing those messages for so long, I began to believe them. Even when my abuser was not speaking, their voice continued to live inside my head. Whenever I thought about doing something for myself, that voice would return: You don’t need that. You don’t deserve that. Why are you spending time or money on yourself? You should be doing something for someone else. Those words affected the way I saw myself. I became used to putting everyone else first while ignoring my own needs. I could show love, patience, and kindness to other people, but I struggled to give those same things to myself. When Self-Care Came With Guilt There were times when I wanted something as simple as a new outfit, ...

 Self-care has become an important part of my healing journey. For a long time, I was so focused on surviving, helping others, and making it through each day that I sometimes forgot to care for myself. Now, I am learning that taking care of myself is not selfish—it is one of the most meaningful ways I can celebrate myself. That is why I created these new “Self-Care Is How I Celebrate Me” hoodies for The Celebratory Collection. Why I Chose This Message The message on these hoodies is personal to me. Self-care is about more than getting your hair done, buying something new, or taking a relaxing bath. Those things can be wonderful, but self-care can also mean: Protecting your peace Setting healthy boundaries Taking a break without feeling guilty Going to therapy or asking for help Walking away from things that hurt you Speaking kindly to yourself Celebrating how far you have come Every time we choose to care for ourselves, we are saying, “I matter. My needs matter. My he...

Some days, taking care of yourself feels natural. Other days, simply getting out of bed, answering a message, or deciding what to eat can feel overwhelming. When anxiety is loud, depression feels heavy, or your emotions become difficult to manage, self-care may look very different—and that is okay. Self-care on a hard mental-health day is not about forcing yourself to be positive or pretending everything is fine. It is about treating yourself gently while you make it through the moment. You do not have to fix your entire life today. Sometimes, the goal is simply to care for yourself enough to reach tomorrow. Start With Your Basic Needs When your mind is overwhelmed, return to the basics. Ask yourself: - Have I had anything to drink? - Have I eaten something today? - Have I taken my prescribed medication? - Do I need a shower, fresh clothes, or more rest? You do not have to prepare a full meal or complete a long routine. Drink a glass of water. Eat something simple. Wash your face if a ...

  Self-care does not always have to mean spending money, taking an entire day off, or doing something extravagant. Sometimes, it means slowing down, checking in with yourself, and choosing one small thing that makes you feel supported. Here are 30 practical ways to care for and celebrate yourself every day. Morning Self-Care Begin your morning with a positive affirmation. Remind yourself that you are worthy, capable, and deserving of a peaceful day. Drink a glass of water when you wake up. It is a simple way to refresh your body and begin the day by caring for yourself. Give yourself a few quiet minutes. Before checking your phone, take time to breathe, pray, meditate, or gather your thoughts. Make your bed. Completing one small task can help you feel accomplished and create a calmer space. Mind and Mood Check in with your emotions. Ask yourself, “How am I really feeling today?” without judging the answer. Write down three things you are grateful for. T...