Let Yourself Receive: Embracing Love, Compliments, and Good Experiences
For many, the discomfort of receiving is deeply rooted in intergenerational and systemic conditioning. If you were raised in a culture that prioritized survival over ease, or in communities where love was expressed through labor rather than words, receiving can feel unfamiliar—even undeserved. Colonization, capitalism, and white supremacy reinforce the notion that worth is tied to output rather than inherent value. But our ancestors knew that interdependence, care, and mutual support were sacred practices of liberation. It’s time to reclaim them.
The Art of Accepting Compliments
How often do you brush off a compliment with a dismissive, "Oh, it’s not that big of a deal" or "I just got lucky?” This impulse to downplay ourselves is not just humility—it’s a learned survival response. Many of us, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, have been taught to shrink to avoid attention or harm. Instead, practice reclaiming space: simply say, "Thank you." Pause. Let the words settle into your body. You are allowed to shine.
Allowing Love Into Your Life
Love isn't just something we give—it's something we must also receive in order to thrive. Capitalist and colonial systems have distorted love into something transactional, but true love is communal and reciprocal. If you struggle with receiving love, start by noticing the small ways it already shows up: a friend checking in, a partner expressing appreciation, an elder offering wisdom. Each act of kindness is an opportunity to decolonize our relationship with love.
Enjoying Good Experiences Without Guilt
Have you ever found yourself downplaying joy? Maybe you feel guilty about resting, taking up space, or experiencing pleasure when others are struggling. But joy is not a privilege—it is a birthright. Our ancestors resisted through joy, dance, and storytelling. Receiving goodness is an act of defiance against systems that try to convince us we are only as valuable as our suffering. Allow yourself to fully embrace good experiences without justification. You are worthy, always.
How to Strengthen Your Receiving Muscle
Acknowledge Discomfort – Notice when receiving makes you uneasy. Instead of pushing it away, get curious about where that discomfort comes from.
Practice Saying Yes – The next time someone offers help, a compliment, or kindness, resist the urge to decline. Say yes and see how it feels.
Reclaim Your Inherent Worthiness – Your value is not tied to how much you produce or give to others. You are enough as you are.
Embrace Collective Care – Receiving isn’t selfish, it’s part of the sacred balance of giving and taking within community.
Express Gratitude Without Deflection – Rather than minimizing yourself, receive with appreciation. A simple “Thank you, I receive that” honors both you and the giver.
Final Thoughts: Receiving as Resistance
Learning to receive is not just an individual act—it’s communal. When we allow ourselves to be cared for, loved, and affirmed, we disrupt systems that seek to keep us depleted and disconnected. The more we embrace receiving, the more we honor the legacy of our ancestors and create space for collective liberation.
Are you ready to reclaim your right to receive? If you’re working through barriers to self-worth, healing from intergenerational wounds, or seeking deeper connection, therapy can help. Book a session today and take the next step toward a more open, liberated life.
