One clear sign that you are struggling with self-acceptance is the constant feeling that you are not enough. This often leads to overthinking, comparison, and fear of failure. Instead of learning, trying, and growing, your energy is spent asking painful questions like “Why me?” “Why am I always struggling?”, or “Why am I not like others?”

While these questions are understandable, they keep your focus trapped inward. And when all your attention is on your perceived shortcomings, growth becomes difficult.

A powerful shift begins when you stop asking why me and start asking how can I serve.

Self-service, focusing only on your own pain, shrinks your world. Service to others expands it. When you intentionally think about how you can bring value to this person, how you can help this team, or how you can solve a problem, you begin to build skills without even realising it.

Service develops employability. Listening builds communication skills. Helping others solve problems builds critical thinking. Showing up consistently builds reliability. Taking initiative builds confidence. These are the very skills employers look for and the same skills needed to generate income, whether through formal work, entrepreneurship, or community-based opportunities.

When you focus on contribution rather than comparison, your sense of worth becomes practical. You stop waiting to feel confident before acting, and instead, gain confidence through action. Over time, self-acceptance grows, not because life became easy, but because you discovered that you are useful, capable, and needed.

You do not need to be perfect to add value. You do not need to have everything figured out to start serving. Growth follows action, not the other way around.

If you are struggling with self-acceptance, start small. Be curious. Be helpful. Be willing to learn. Your value will reveal itself through what you give.

Likusasa Letfu Youth Centre for Employability is a space that is able to support you through career guidance, skills development, and pathways to employability and income generation. Visit us in Matsapha, contact +268 7958 5564 or +268 7803 3230, or email info@likusasa.org.