Stop Accepting Less Than You Deserve in Business and in Life

I recently got an email from a beauty brand that wanted to collaborate.
They complimented my blog, praised the alignment, and asked for my rate. So I sent it. $500 for a sponsored blog post, based on my traffic, niche, and time investment.

They came back with an offer:
A free product and… $100. 😅

One hundred dollars. For a post they admitted would bring them visibility, long-term search traffic, and brand trust.

Now, if I had just started blogging last week, maybe that number might have been ok with me.

But I’ve been at this for years. I’ve built a platform with consistent monthly traffic, an engaged community, and a voice that drives clicks and builds connection.

So I turned it down.

When you’ve worked hard to build something—or when you are the something—you get to name your price.

I’ve learned the hard way that accepting less than what you’re worth leads to more of the same.

And that doesn’t just apply to blogging or content creation.

Here’s why you need to stop shrinking your value. Whether it’s in business, your career, your relationships, or your everyday life.

Because once you start settling, people get used to the discount version of you.
And you deserve so much more than that.

This Is What Happens When You Keep Playing Small

Too many of us are underpaid, overlooked, and overextended.

We say yes to things that drain us because we don’t want to seem difficult, ungrateful, or “too much.” We accept jobs that don’t pay enough, stay in relationships that take more than they give, and sign contracts that benefit everyone but us.

We convince ourselves that some opportunity is better than no opportunity. That something is better than nothing.

And that’s how we end up giving our time, our talent, our creativity, and our energy to people and places that never really saw us in the first place.

When you keep playing small, you start losing things that actually matter.
Your peace, your energy, your time, your confidence, your money, and even your sense of self-worth just to name a few.

And the longer you do it, the harder it becomes to remember that you deserve more.

But you do. You always have.

You’re Allowed to Say No

I get it. Saying no can feel uncomfortable. Especially if you’re used to surviving on “just enough.”

When you’ve been overlooked, underpaid, or underestimated for too long, even the smallest opportunity can feel like something you should take. You tell yourself you can’t afford to pass it up. That you’ll regret saying no. That it’s better than nothing.

Add in people-pleasing, fear of disappointing others, or the need to “prove yourself,” and suddenly saying yes to things you don’t actually want becomes a habit.

The more you say no to what isn’t right, the easier it becomes to recognize what is.

And saying no makes room for what is actually meant for you.

Every time you say no to something that drains you, disrespects you, or doesn’t align, you’re protecting your peace and creating space for better opportunities, more aligned partnerships, healthier boundaries, and more fulfilling work.

Let this be your reminder:

You don’t have to prove anything.
You don’t have to explain yourself.
You don’t have to accept what doesn’t sit right with you.

How to Break the Cycle of Undervaluing Yourself

Know Your Worth: Take some time to really assess your skills, experience, and contributions. Look at your achievements, qualifications, and unique strengths. Recognize that you bring value to the table and deserve to be compensated accordingly.
Reflect on Your Past Patterns: It can be helpful to reflect on past situations where you may have undervalued yourself or allowed others to do so. Ask yourself why this happened and what changes you can make moving forward.
Set Boundaries: Establishing boundaries is crucial in breaking the cycle of undervaluing yourself. This means learning how to say no, setting clear expectations, and not compromising on what feels right for you.
Practice Self-Advocacy: Don’t wait for someone else to recognize your worth. Speak up for yourself! When given the opportunity, share your accomplishments and contributions. Always negotiate for fair compensation or recognition.
Seek Out Growth Opportunities: Continuously challenging yourself and learning new things can help boost self-worth. Look for opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge, whether it’s through taking courses, or attending workshops or conferences.

You Set the Standard for How You’re Treated

When you respect your own time, energy, and effort, it sends a message. Not just to others, but to yourself. You’re saying: This is what I’m available for. This is how I expect to be treated.

And people follow your lead.

When you accept lowball offers, constant disrespect, or bare minimum effort, you teach others that it’s okay to show up halfway. But when you say, Actually, no, this doesn’t work for me, you start attracting better. Clients who pay your rate without negotiation. Employers who value your voice. People who show up for you the way you show up for them.

This applies everywhere:

In business deals and brand partnerships
In your job and the promotions you go after
In your relationships: romantic, platonic, and everything in between

You don’t have to work for scraps.
Not in your inbox, not in your career, not in your relationships, and definitely not in your life.

A Reminder for Anyone Who Needs It

So no, I won’t be writing that $100 blog post.
And no, you don’t have to shrink yourself to make others comfortable either.

You’re allowed to walk away from the deal, the job, the relationship, the dynamic that doesn’t respect you.
You’re allowed to ask for more.
You’re allowed to expect better.

Not everything that shows up is meant for you.
And not everything that’s offered is worth accepting, no matter how flattering the pitch or how shiny the packaging.

You’re worth more.
You’ve always been worth more.

Act like it.

And let that be the standard from here on out.

Until next time,