Why do I feel like I don't deserve good things happening to me?

The belief that you don't deserve good things is a painful form of self-sabotage that can prevent you from fully enjoying life's pleasures and opportunities. This feeling often stems from childhood experiences, past failures, or messages you received about your worth. It's a deeply ingrained belief that can manifest as guilt when good things happen, a tendency to downplay your achievements, or unconsciously pushing away opportunities for happiness and success. Understanding where this belief comes from is the first step in challenging it. Often, feelings of unworthiness develop in childhood when we receive messages - either directly or indirectly - that we're not good enough, that we have to earn love and approval, or that we're somehow flawed or defective. These messages can come from critical parents, traumatic experiences, or simply growing up in an environment where love was conditional on performance. As adults, we carry these beliefs with us, even when they no longer serve us. Challenge the voice in your head that tells you you're undeserving. When you catch yourself thinking 'I don't deserve this,' ask yourself: 'Says who?' Where did this belief come from? Is it based on facts or on old, outdated messages? Would you tell someone you love that they don't deserve good things? Treat yourself with the same compassion and fairness you would offer a dear friend. Practice accepting good things gracefully. When someone compliments you, simply say 'thank you' instead of deflecting or minimizing. When good things happen, allow yourself to feel joy without immediately looking for the catch or waiting for the other shoe to drop. You deserve happiness, love, success, and all the good things life has to offer, simply by virtue of being human.