How many times have you whispered to yourself, “I deserve this”—after a long, exhausting day?
Maybe it’s a glass of wine. A bag of chips. A mindless scroll through social media until the night disappears.
It feels like a reward. But is it really?
Somewhere along the way, “deserve” was hijacked. Once rooted in fairness and justice, it’s now a marketing lure—urging us to buy, eat, and consume as proof that we’ve earned relief. What we call treating ourselves often masks disconnection from what we actually need.
True deserving isn’t about quick fixes or sugar highs. It’s about pacing ourselves, nourishing our bodies, resting without guilt, and being surrounded by care and connection. These aren’t luxuries—they’re human rights.
But in a world that prizes productivity over presence and profit over people, meeting those needs can feel radical. That’s why reclaiming “I deserve this” matters. It’s a quiet rebellion. A choice to aim the phrase toward healing instead of escape.
This is about pausing before the reflexive treat, asking:
What am I feeling?
What do I truly need?
Will this bring me more life—or just more numbness?
Because the truth is—we all deserve care, not just survival. And learning to claim that, one choice at a time, might be the most important work we do.
Terrified Nation is part of the American Future project, fiscally sponsored by Mediators Foundation. You can support this podcast by making a tax-deductible donation here.
