The Art of Self-Celebration: Breaking Free from ‘Not Enoughness’

“You could do better.” “Push harder.” “Lose weight.”

The voice of not enoughness—it’s relentless, isn’t it?

It shows up when we step into something new, when we dare to expand, when we try to reclaim parts of ourselves that once felt effortless. I know this voice well because recently, I did something I never thought I’d do: I joined a burlesque dance team and stepped into a world of choreographed movement for the first time in twenty-five years.

And guess what? My brain went wild.

Instead of celebrating the courage it took to audition, the joy of moving my body and the thrill of stepping into a new version of myself, my mind turned to comparison and criticism. “You don’t look like them.” “You’re not as flexible.” “You should push harder.”

Where does this come from?

For me, it started young. Dancing throughout childhood and into college, I spent hours in front of a mirror, scrutinizing every turn of my foot, every angle of my body, every movement that wasn’t “perfect.” That mindset—fueled by culture, media, and impossible beauty standards—planted a seed of self-surveillance that I carried for years.

But here’s what’s different now.

There’s another voice that has been growing inside me, one I’ve spent years nurturing through inner work, self-love, and nervous system healing.

It says:

👉 "You’re showing up."
👉 "You’re doing it."
👉 "You auditioned right alongside these dancers and made the damn team."

And that is worth celebrating.

Self-Celebration Is an Art—Here’s How to Practice It

Celebration is different from gratitude. It’s not thanking the universe, your partner or your kids for existing (though that’s important too). It’s about recognizing a quality inside of YOU, something you are doing, choosing, embodying.

Examples of self-celebration:

💃 I celebrate myself for having the courage and curiosity to explore something new in the dance world.

💃 I celebrate myself for stepping into creative movement and loving my body exactly as it is today.

💃 I celebrate myself for reclaiming a part of me that I had pushed away for years.

Self-celebration doesn’t erase goals or the desire to improve. But it shifts the focus from “not enough” to “look at me go.” And that shift is everything.

When Comparison Creeps In…

Comparison isn’t always bad. Sometimes, it helps us gather information or see what’s possible. But other times, it’s just an excuse to rob ourselves of joy.

If you’ve already made the team, if you’re already showing up and giving your best—what would happen if you let yourself enjoy the ride instead of questioning if you belong?

It’s normal to scan the room and think: Do I fit in? Am I allowed to take up space here? Will I be in trouble if I add my own spice, my own style, my own whole-ass self?

These fears are ancient. Centuries ago, stepping outside the norm could mean being cast out—or worse. Women who expressed their magic, intuition, or sensuality were literally burned at the stake. The echoes of that fear still live in us today.

But the truth?

🔥 You belong.

🔥 You are worthy of the space you take up.

🔥 You bring something to the table that no one else can.

So today, I invite you to practice one small act of self-celebration. Name something you love about yourself. Name something you’re proud of. Say it out loud. Write it down. Dance it out.

Because this—this journey of expansion, of stepping into newness, of embracing discomfort—is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Happy Spring Everyone!