Know your worth!

"Know your worth plus tax" is a popular saying, and my sister a while back gifted me a navy-blue T-shirt with that exact phrase printed on it. I call it my feel-good shirt.

It feels particularly relevant as I navigate parenting my teenage daughter. She's at that stage where self-confidence wavers, and the mirror often seems like her biggest critic. We're deep in conversations about makeup, acne, boys, dressing style, pocket money, working and all the other pressures of teenage life. It feels like every day brings a new "body goal" to address.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to position myself as one of her most trusted resources—SECOND only to the internet, of course. The internet, while undeniably influential, can be a double-edged sword, and it’s made parenting even more challenging. My edge over it? I’m physically and emotionally present, and yes, I control the purse strings, though that hardly deters the internet from giving me a serious run for my money.

Her generation faces immense pressure to define their worth by how attractive others find them. It’s an exhausting race to conform, and often, the brilliant but quieter ones—the "beautiful nerds," as I call them—are overlooked. I constantly remind her that true beauty and confidence come from within. When you feel good about yourself mentally and emotionally, it naturally shines through on the outside.

This advice extends beyond teenagers and applies just as well in the workplace, especially when dealing with imposter syndrome. It’s a reality for us all. Some people are overvalued, others are appropriately recognized, and some are sadly undervalued. While you may not always have the power to change your environment or the system, you can change how you perceive yourself. Protect your thoughts, your peace, and your space with intention and care.

Because knowing your worth isn’t just a cliche—it’s a life skill.