I Thought Degrees Would Finally Make Me Enough

For years, I worked inside our local hospital’s Women’s Health Center running a thriving private practice.

And over and over again, someone would ask about my education.

I’d start sharing my certifications in hypnotherapy, somatic work, nervous system regulation… and then almost inevitably they’d interrupt.

“No, I meant your higher education.”

I still remember the feeling of those moments. The subtle shift in the room. The way the energy changed almost instantly. Like I had somehow become smaller in the conversation. Like I had accidentally stepped into a room I hadn’t fully earned the right to be in.

Even though I was helping people. Even though the work was working. Even though I knew what I was doing.

So in my 50s, I went back to school.

I earned a bachelor’s degree in complementary and integrative health, then another in health marketing and communications, and eventually a master’s degree in communications.

And honestly, part of me absolutely loved it. I love learning. I probably would have kept going forever.

But if I’m being truthful, another part of me was trying to solve something much deeper.

I was trying to become unquestionable. Trying to finally feel safe in rooms where I had spent years feeling like I needed to prove I belonged there.

And here’s what I understand now that I couldn’t fully see then:

The nervous system will often try to solve belonging through achievement. More credentials. More proof. More becoming. As if safety exists somewhere on the other side of finally being enough for everyone.

But real belonging doesn’t come from convincing people who already decided not to see you clearly.

It comes from returning to yourself even when the room doesn’t hand you permission.

The degrees were beautiful. I’m grateful for every one of them. But they didn’t heal the part of me that believed I had to earn my right to exist in the room.

That healing came differently.

Honestly, I think a lot of women are still trying to achievement their way into feeling safe. Worthy. Respected. Chosen. Enough.

I know I was.

Have you ever changed something about yourself just to feel like you belonged somewhere?

The door is open .🕯️

Soul Growth Circle

2 comments