“Am I Ready Yet?” — Rediscovering Our Inner Warrior

Last night in martial arts class, I watched a young boy take his belt test. Every week leading up to it, he asked the same question: “Am I ready yet?” His eyes sparkled with hope, his body moved with determination, and his heart was wide open. He wanted it so badly. And I saw him work—really work—for it. I also saw his instructors pour their energy into him, guiding, encouraging, believing.

I wished my clients could have witnessed that moment.

Because I see so many people walk into my space beaten down by life. Weathered. Shamed. Carrying the weight of not having followed some invisible formula — the one that says you must be perfect, productive, polished to be worthy. But the truth is, none of us follow it. That formula doesn’t exist. It’s a myth. A trap.

And here’s another truth: most people don’t take risks because they think they aren’t enough. They wait for some magical moment of certainty, some external sign that they’re finally worthy of trying. But that moment never comes. Because the fear of not being enough is universal. We all feel it.

Even I didn’t know what would happen when I stepped onto the martial arts mat for the first time. I was the adult in the room surrounded by little kids — and honestly, it didn’t bother me. It inspired me. Because those kids believe in themselves. They don’t overthink. They don’t hesitate. They just go for it.

I could tell some of the adult instructors were a little suspicious. A middle-aged woman walking in, ready to train? Maybe they thought I’d drop out like so many others. Maybe they didn’t expect me to take it seriously.

But here’s the profound part of my healing: I know I’m ready. I know I’m willing. I believe I’m enough — even if others don’t see it. I see it. That belief has changed everything.

Believing you’re ready for goodness — for joy, for healing, for growth — is a radical way to live your life. It’s not about certainty. It’s about courage.

 How to See Yourself as Enough

Here are a few research-backed ways to reconnect with your worth:

• Practice self-affirmation: Studies show that repeating affirmations like “I am enough” can reduce stress and improve resilience.

• Let go of external validation: Your worth isn’t something to be earned—it’s something you already possess. According to psychologist Kristin Neff, self-compassion is more powerful than self-esteem because it doesn’t depend on success.

• Reconnect with your inner child: Remember what it felt like to believe in magic, in possibility, in yourself.

• Challenge the “not enough” narrative: That voice in your head? It’s not yours. It’s inherited. You can choose a new story.

• Take small risks: Each time you show up despite fear, you build evidence that you’re capable — and worth.

If you’ve ever asked, “Am I ready yet?”—know this: You are. You always have been. The belt, the goal, the healing—it’s not about proving your worth. It’s about living from it.

So wake up tomorrow with new eyes. Like that boy. Like the warrior you are.