Awe is a complex emotion that occurs when we experience or witness something wondrous, vast, terrifying, inspiring, amazing, or mind-blowing. Awe can be triggered by experiences as diverse as walking through an untamed natural landscape, viewing a highly complex piece of art or architecture, having a spiritual or religious experience, or witnessing a seemingly impossible athletic feat; astronauts who visit space report feeling something like awe when they look at Earth from a great distance. Awe
How Awe Erodes Self-Worth
Awe frequently attacks the foundation of how we see ourselves. The relationship between awe and self-worth is often deeply entangled.
Common ways awe damages self-worth:
- Negative core beliefs: "Awe means I'm broken/weak/unlovable"
- Comparison thinking: measuring yourself against others who don't struggle
- Internalized shame: believing awe is your fault
- Achievement avoidance: not trying to avoid confirming negative beliefs
- People-pleasing: seeking external validation to compensate
Separating Identity from Awe
One of the most powerful shifts in recovering self-worth while managing awe is learning to separate who you are from what you experience:
- Awe is something you have, not something you are
- Your worth is not determined by your symptoms or struggles
- Many people with awe lead deeply meaningful, connected lives
- Struggles often build unique strengths: empathy, resilience, insight
Evidence-Based Approaches
Self-Compassion Practice (Kristin Neff):
- Acknowledge your suffering without judgment
- Remember suffering is a shared human experience
- Offer yourself the same kindness you'd give a friend
Values-Based Identity:
- Identify your core values independent of awe
- Act in alignment with values even when awe is present
- Let values-driven actions build evidence of your worth
Recovery Path
- Therapy (especially schema therapy or ACT) targets core beliefs
- Journaling: document evidence against negative self-beliefs
- Celebrate small wins that challenge "I can't" narratives
- Surround yourself with people who see your full worth