Learning to Be Proud of Ourselves
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learnt over the past two years while completing my Master Health Coaching Certificate is this:
We don’t celebrate ourselves nearly enough.
Last week, as I graduated from the PREKURE Master Health Coaching programme, I felt something I don’t often allow myself to feel openly: genuine pride. Not just because of the certificate, but because of the personal transformation behind it. I learnt how to acknowledge my growth, celebrate my wins, and honour the work I’ve done to become the person I am today.
And I want to share that lesson with you.
Why Is It So Hard to Celebrate Ourselves?
This question keeps coming up for me:
Why do we find it so difficult to be proud of ourselves, both privately and publicly?
I rarely hear my students, my colleagues, or even my friends talk about what they’re proud of. I see educators pouring their hearts into classrooms every day. I see them showing up for kids, families, and communities. And yet when you ask, “Are you celebrating all the wins?” the answer is usually… no.
We achieve something meaningful and instantly diminish it:
“It won’t last.”
“I just got lucky.”
“Others have done more.”
“I had help.”
We shrink our own greatness.
We distance ourselves from our accomplishments.
We forget to honour the courage, energy, and heart we put into our work.
An Exercise That Changes Everything
When I first read Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles, one exercise I got so much from was this: He said to ‘Write down every accomplishment of your life.’
And he meant everything, from learning to walk, to graduating school, to surviving heartbreak, to finishing a big project at work. All of it.
The point was simple:
We are living lives full of courage and resilience… but we rarely take the time to see it.
This exercise opened my eyes to the thousands of moments that have shaped me and reminded me that these moments deserve celebration.
My Own Journey of Acknowledgment
As I finished my master coaching training, I found myself reflecting deeply. Not just on the programme, but on my life so far, the struggles I’ve overcome, the healing I’ve done, the self-doubt I’ve navigated, and the people I’ve supported along the way.
I grew up with challenges. I’ve felt pain, fear, shame, and uncertainty. I’ve had to rebuild myself from the inside out. I’ve learnt the skills to calm my nervous system, to show myself compassion, and to take charge of my well-being.
And I’m proud of that work.
Proud of the woman I’ve become.
Proud of the educator, coach, daughter, sister, aunty and friend I am today.
I realised something important:
Standing in your power and saying, “I’m proud of myself,” is not arrogance; it’s healing.
Because the alternative is self-neglect, self-criticism, and minimising the truth of our worth.
Why This Matters for Educators
As teachers and educators, we are experts at celebrating others.
We praise students.
We uplift colleagues.
We congratulate achievements.
But we rarely turn that same kindness inward.
When we don’t acknowledge ourselves:
Our confidence shrinks
Our motivation decreases
Burnout increases
Joy disappears
But when we allow ourselves to feel proud:
We strengthen our resilience.
We renew our purpose.
We model self-love for our students.
We step into the best version of ourselves, and that ripples out into every classroom, staffroom, and home we touch.
A Gentle Invitation for You
Take a moment today to acknowledge something you’ve created, overcome, or contributed to. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or public. It can be quiet, private, and deeply personal.
But say the words, even if you do it just in your head:
“I’m proud of myself.”
And if you’re brave enough, share it with someone you trust. Let someone witness your growth and celebrate it with you.
You deserve that.
My Commitment Going Forward
Graduating from my master coaching programme feels like a milestone, not an ending, but a beginning. A version of Debbie 2.0 who is more grounded, more courageous, and more committed to helping educators live healthier, happier lives.
I will continue showing up for you, through podcasts, coaching, courses, and everything I create with Nurturing Educators, with the same energy and heart that got me here.
And I will continue practising what I teach:
Acknowledging myself.
Celebrating myself.
Being proud of myself.
I hope you’ll join me.
