Stop Shrinking: How to Celebrate Yourself Without Guilt
When Did Celebrating Ourselves Become “Too Much”?
I know exactly when celebrating myself started to feel like “too much.” It was the day I joined the military.
My family—especially my grandma—did not take it well. She told me almost daily that the Army “ruined me.” Before that? I was the golden girl. The first-born granddaughter on my mom’s side. My grandma never held back in reminding everyone I was the favorite.
But as I got older, the celebrating stopped.
I’ll never forget passing the Pharmacy Technician exam on my first try—with a pretty high score, might I add. I was so proud, I cried. I called my husband—no answer. I called my sister—no answer. I called my mom—no answer. Crickets.
Then came graduation day from Pharmacy Tech school. Not one sibling showed up. But my parents and husband? Front and center like always.
It happened again with my bridal shower (thrown together last minute like an afterthought).
My baby shower? I threw it myself.
Life coach school graduation? Same thing—only my parents and husband showed up.
So maybe I was celebrated a little too much growing up… and now, people were tired of celebrating me. This realization hit hard while typing, and you better believe it’s going on the list for my next therapy session.
The Myth of Humble = Worth
So what did I do?
I dimmed my light. I told myself I was just “being humble.” I downplayed promotions. When I got into leadership programs, grew my business, hit milestones—my default became, “It’s not a big deal.”
Because somewhere along the line, I believed that celebrating myself = arrogance. That shining too brightly would make others uncomfortable. That feeling proud was too much.
And you know what that does? It makes you shrink. It makes you second-guess your joy. It makes you feel guilty for your growth.
But here’s the truth I’ve had to unlearn:
🎉 Celebrating yourself doesn’t mean you’re arrogant—it means you’re deeply aware of your worth.
The people who truly matter? They’ll clap when you win. They’ll encourage you, uplift you, and be front row with their own damn confetti cannon.
I even had a former boss who used to refer to women who shined brightly as “entitled golden girls.” Absolutely not.
Those women worked hard. They earned their recognition. They weren’t entitled—they were empowered.
And looking back, I can see it now: Her judgment wasn’t about them—it was about her own unresolved stuff.
So no, I’m not downplaying myself anymore. I’m done shrinking to fit into spaces I’ve outgrown.
What Happens When You DO Celebrate Yourself
Besides having a ton of fun (hello, joy?!), you experience a full-blown energy shift:
✨ Confidence boost
✨ Clarity and alignment
✨ Visibility increase—yes, even to yourself
The first time I genuinely celebrated myself in a long time, it felt… almost like I was being attacked.
Wild, right?
But my therapist reminded me: That’s completely normal. When you’ve spent years minimizing your wins, it feels vulnerable—even unsafe—to stand fully in your power.
But once I pushed past the discomfort, something amazing happened:
“Everything I had been trying to manifest finally started aligning”
The fog lifted. The joy came back. The pieces fell into place.
Here’s the thing:
🎯 Acknowledging your growth isn’t arrogance—it’s awareness.
You’re not being “una creída,” you’re being conscious. Proud. Present.
And you know what else? The right people will cheer with you. They won’t feel threatened. They’ll feel inspired. And they’ll match your energy, too.
The most beautiful part? My son noticed. 🥹
He started celebrating the not-so-wins in his own life—after every baseball and basketball game, we’d talk about what he did better that day. Even if they lost.
When he couldn’t think of anything, my husband and I pointed it out:
🏀 “That was a great block—you really defended the ball.”
⚾ “Way to stay alert and throw it back to second base—you shut that runner down!”
And just like that, celebration became our family’s love language.
5 Ways to Start Celebrating Yourself
Share a win publicly (yes, post it—even the little ones!)
Write a brag list - Even if it’s just for your eyes only—hang it up on your wall, or write little notes and put them in a jar. At the end of the year? Pull them out and read them out loud. Instant reminder of how far you’ve come.
Buy yourself something meaningful (gift-giving to self = healing)
Create a celebration ritual (playlist, dance break, cafecito moment ☕)
Practice receiving compliments - No deflecting, no "oh it was nothing,” no rapid-fire return compliments. Just say: “Thank you.” (Confession: I’m working on this one. I still freeze, deflect, or feel weird—so if that’s you too, we’re in this together.)
🧠 Rewriting the Script: Because You’re Worthy of Confetti
“If I don’t celebrate me, who will?”
Let’s reframe that:
🎉 Celebration is accountability
🎉 Celebration is self-awareness
🎉 Celebration is honoring your growth
Yes, it might feel uncomfortable at first—do it anyway.
Because celebration isn’t extra—it’s essential.
So the next time someone side-eyes your glow-up or tries to almargar your moment with their almargura?Smile, say “Gracias,” and keep it moving, queen. 💅🏽
Tag me when you celebrate yourself —I’ll be right there cheering you on.
Want more support?
📖 Grab a copy of my book Get It Together (Without Losing Your Mind)—it’s full of stories and strategies to help you reclaim your time, energy, and purpose.
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👉🏼 Buy the book - Subscribe to the Newsletter - or fuel me with some cafecito
Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor, psychologist, or licensed therapist. Everything I share is based on my personal experiences and should not be considered professional advice. For personalized guidance, always consult a licensed medical or mental health professional—yes, a real one, not "Dr. Google" or the comment section of social media.
If you're in crisis, please call 911 or reach out to the 988 Lifeline for immediate support. You're not alone, and real help is available.
