Embracing Self-Worth, Cultivating Self-Love, and Managing ADHD & Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

Understanding the Bridge Between Self-Worth, Self-Love, and RSD

Individuals, particularly with ADHD experience Self-worth, self-love and  Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD).

Today, I wanted to shed light on the pain points based upon my personal experiences and practical advice to help people accept and embrace their intrinsic value and manage RSD effectively.

How do you define ‘Self-Worth’ ?

Self-worth is the deep-seated belief that you are inherently valuable, independent of external validation, achievements, or the opinions of others. Every individual is born with equal worth—our experiences may challenge this perception, but our true value never changes.

Self-worth is an intrinsic sense of value that each of us possesses, regardless of external

validation, or the opinions of others. It’s the foundation of how we see ourselves and how we navigate the world. No one is born more worthy than another—we are all inherently Valuable.

However, life experiences, societal pressures, and personal challenges can cloud this sense of worth, making us feel “less than or not good enough.

Think of a $20 bill—whether it’s crisp or crumpled, its value remains the same. Similarly, no matter what challenges you’ve faced, your worth is constant. It’s only your perception of it that fluctuates. If you feel your value is no more the same as before then know it’s just rooted in your mindset. Otherwise, your value remains persistent over the periods.

Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem

While self-worth is an inherent trait, self-esteem is how we perceive and evaluate our own value. There are some factors mainly the external ones such as accomplishments, feedback, and social comparison that contribute to fluctuate self-esteem. However, reconnecting with our self-worth reminds us that our value remains unchanged, regardless of life’s ups and downs.

Developing Self-Love

Self-love is the practice of nurturing and honoring our intrinsic worth. It’s about treating ourselves with kindness, respect, and compassion.

Self-love involves accepting ourselves as we are, flaws and all, and prioritising our well-being, happiness, and personal growth.

Here are some key aspects of self-love:

•Self-Acceptance: Embracing who you are without fear of judgment or criticism. Understanding that you are worthy of love and respect just as you are.

•Self-Care: Engaging in activities that promote your physical, emotional, and mental health, like exercise, healthy eating, rest, and mindfulness or spiritual practices.

•Setting Boundaries: Protecting your energy and making sure that others do not take advantage of you or cause harm i.e. having and upholding your boundaries.

•Forgiveness: Letting go of past mistakes and regrets, and offering yourself compassion and understanding.

•Positive Self-Talk: Replacing negative thoughts with affirming, empowering ones. Over time, this rewires your brain to automatically think positively, leading to a stronger sense of self-worth.

The Role of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) in ADHD

RSD is an extreme emotional reaction to be perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. It’s a common experience for those with ADHD due to heightened nervous system sensitivity.

While not an official diagnosis, RSD is widely acknowledged in the ADHD community as a significant challenge. It can manifest as avoidance of new opportunities or abandoning projects after minor criticism.

My Personal Experience with RSD

For years, RSD impacted my decisions. A few critical comments once led me to cancel a women’s circle program I was running—for nearly a year!

The emotional pain was overwhelming.

Through hypnosis, energy healing, and self-compassion, I learned to manage RSD and continue taking action despite the fear of rejection.

Practical Tips for Managing RSD & Enhancing Self-Worth

1.       Recognize & Acknowledge Your Feelings:

Awareness is key. Acknowledge when RSD is triggered and remind yourself it’s a nervous system response, not a reflection of your worth.

2.       Practice Self-Compassion:

Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a close friend. Your feelings are valid, but they don’t define your value.

3.       Engage in Mindfulness Practices:

Deep breathing, meditation, and grounding exercises can regulate your nervous system.

4.       Reframe Negative Thoughts:

Instead of thinking, “I’m not good enough,” reframe it to “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”

5.       Focus on Your Achievements:

Regularly reflect on your successes to reinforce your sense of self-worth.

Final Thoughts

Self-worth, self-love, and managing RSD are interconnected aspects of our lives that require ongoing attention and care.

By cultivating self-love, embracing our intrinsic worth, and learning to manage the intense

Emotions of RSD, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and confidence.

Remember, your worth is not determined by others’ opinions or external achievements—it’s an unchanging, inherent part of who you are.

Take the time to nurture yourself, practice self-love, and recognise the incredible value you bring to the world.

If you found this blog post helpful, I invite you to listen to the full episode of ADHD & Alchemy, where I dive even deeper into these topics. You can also join me in my “Ultimate Action” program, designed to help you overcome limiting beliefs and take real action toward your goals.

Until next time, keep moving forward, embrace your worth, and continue your journey of Self-love and growth.

To your happiness & success!

Paula x