Stop Treating Yourself Like a Mafia Boss Would

 I learned this expression, which I was told is from a TV series: 'You're only as good as your last envelope.'

In case you're not familiar with it, it means that within the mafia, your past achievements mean nothing—only the cash you've generated for them in the past week counts.

I feel like I've treated myself with the same cruelty and lack of compassion that a mafia boss would.

In high school, while everyone went out to play after exams, planning to study 'tomorrow,' I was the exception, the 'weirdo' who studied even harder on exam day. Encountering questions I didn't know the answers to motivated me to study more than ever.

When the college entrance exam results came out, most students who passed celebrated their success. I, on the other hand, was already gearing up for college life.

After I was accepted into a PhD program in the US, instead of celebrating, I started planning the international move.

You get the idea.

I never celebrate my achievements and successes. I always move on to the next task, as if old envelopes don't matter anymore, and I need to prepare my next envelope.

How are you treating yourself? Are you treating yourself with the cruelty and lack of compassion that a mafia boss would show, or are you offering yourself the unconditional love and celebration you deserve?