Five Things You Deserve to Believe About Yourself
I'm Dr. Elena Sherwood, relationship coach. After 35 years as a couples therapist, I've seen too many people hold themselves back in relationships and in life. Today, I want to share five things you should never accept about yourself—because you deserve better.
1. You Have Control Over How You Spend Your Free Time
You should never feel like you have no say in how you spend your time. If you find yourself watching only what your partner wants every single evening, despite hating it, it's time to reclaim your choices. Healthy relationships thrive when both partners have the freedom to enjoy what they love.
In my home, we take turns choosing what to watch. Sometimes we create a shared playlist of shows we both enjoy. And other times, I carve out space for myself to do what I love—like creating relationship coaching content for you!
Remember, you have choices. And you deserve to make them.
2. No One Has the Right to Diminish Your Worth
You are enough—always. If someone makes you feel small, unworthy, or incapable, that is their issue, not yours. You do not exist to rise and fall based on someone else’s moods or opinions.
If you’ve spent years trying to please someone who constantly makes you feel like you don’t measure up, it’s time to step back and reassess. You deserve to be surrounded by people who uplift and support you, not those who make you doubt your value.
3. You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind About Your Life
Decisions you made years ago don’t have to define you forever. Whether it’s a career, a relationship, or a lifestyle, you are not bound by choices that no longer align with who you’ve become.
You made the best decision you could at the time with the knowledge you had. But now, you know more. You’ve grown. And you have the right to adjust your life accordingly. Give yourself permission to create the life you truly need and deserve.
4. You Can Learn New Skills at Any Stage of Life
No matter what you weren’t taught growing up, you can learn it now. Communication, emotional regulation, setting boundaries—these are all skills you can develop.
Many of us were raised in homes where emotions weren’t openly discussed, but that doesn’t mean we’re stuck. If you’ve ever taught yourself a skill simply because you wanted to—whether it was cooking, playing an instrument, or using social media—you already know how capable you are. Relationship skills are no different. They are learnable.
5. There Is Always a Reason to Keep Going
You may have fallen down before. Maybe you’ve tried to make changes and felt like you failed. But that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. The good life isn’t reserved for other people—it’s available to you, too.
When you take control of your time, refuse to let others define your worth, allow yourself to evolve, and embrace learning, you open the door to endless possibilities. Hope is not just for others—it’s for you.
You have the power to change your life and your relationships. Believe in that. Believe in you.
I’m Dr. Elena Sherwood, and I’ll see you in the next video!
