As women entrepreneurs, we already face the many challenges of running a business—balancing strategy, execution, sales, marketing, accounting, and leadership. But for some of us, there’s an additional, often invisible, hurdle: the inner wound of self-worth. If you’ve been raised in a family with narcissistic or toxic parents or siblings, where criticism, belittlement, and constant invalidation were the norm, this wound can be particularly deep and pervasive.

In my years of working with women who have survived such toxic dynamics, I’ve come to understand that the journey to heal self-worth is not linear. But it’s absolutely possible and incredibly empowering to walk that pathway. Let’s talk about how to recognize the impact of toxic family dynamics, and more importantly, how to begin healing that wound holistically, so you can step into your full entrepreneurial potential.

Understanding the Self-Worth Wound

If you’ve had a narcissistic or toxic parent, you know what it’s like to feel invisible, unworthy, or constantly criticized no matter how hard you try. You may have internalized messages like:

“You’re never good enough.”

“You’ll never amount to anything.”

“You’re too much, or not enough.”

“Why can’t you be more like [sibling]?”

These messages aren’t just hurtful, they become the story we tell ourselves in a ruminating loop of unworthiness. Our sense of personal value becomes tethered to their opinions, and as entrepreneurs, this can feel like a burdensome weight on our shoulders. If we don’t address it, it affects everything—from the decisions we make in our businesses to the relationships we form both professionally and personally. This perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and deep-rooted fear of failure are often symptoms of the wound of self-worth.

The Impact on Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship demands resilience, self-confidence, and belief in your vision. When your self-worth has been tied to toxic criticism or serious self-doubt from a history of gaslighting, it can make it incredibly hard to trust yourself or take bold steps in your business.

I often see women who, despite all their talent and potential, play small, holding back because they don’t believe they deserve success. Or worse, they overcompensate, working themselves into exhaustion, afraid of being judged or rejected. The constant loop of questioning their abilities can be paralyzing.

But here’s the truth: You are worthy of success, love, happiness and a prosperous business. Healing the self-worth wound doesn’t mean erasing the past. It means rewriting the story you’ve been told about yourself and reclaiming your power. This happens first through identifying and releasing the emotional debris from the past that you hold within your cellular memory.

Steps to Heal the Self-Worth Wound Holistically

Healing is a holistic process, and it’s different for everyone. What I’ve learned from working with countless women is that the healing journey is deeply personal, but these foundational steps can guide you as you begin to reconnect with your true worth.

1. Acknowledge the Wound and Its Origins

The first step is to recognize and validate your pain. It’s so important to understand that your experience wasn’t your fault. The way your narcissistic or toxic family treated you was about them, not you. They may have been incapable of love, kind validation, or support, but that’s not a reflection of your value.

Take some time to reflect on the family dynamics that shaped you. Journaling can be incredibly powerful here. Write down your thoughts and feelings about your family members and their behavior. Write about how their actions made you feel but also write about who you are outside of their projections. Write about who you know yourself to be and identify areas where you feel you can improve upon your own self-perception. 

Acknowledge the ways in which these toxic messages have shown up in your life and business. Are there certain fears or beliefs you still carry with you? The power of acknowledgment is that it creates the space to heal. It’s a crucial first step.

2. Reframe Your Inner Narrative

Your inner dialogue has likely been shaped by years of criticism and emotional neglect. So, the next step is to actively reframe the narrative. Challenge the limiting beliefs you’ve internalized, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve success.” Then notice the negative emotional responses to these beliefs and how they feel in your body. 

This takes time, but it can be done with consistent effort. Start by consciously replacing negative self-talk with empowering, compassionate affirmations of self-worth. For instance:

“I accept myself, just as I am.”

“I am capable of creating success on my own terms.” 

“My value comes from within me – I determine my worth.”

I recommend practicing these affirmations daily—especially in moments when imposter syndrome or self-doubt creeps in. Over time, you’ll begin to notice a shift in your thought patterns, and those old toxic beliefs will lose their grip.

Rumination on your old stories keep them alive within you. When you create your story from a more self-loving space, you replace the old ideas of who you thought you were with the truth of who you truly know yourself to be. 

3. Create Boundaries with Toxic Family Members

One of the most important steps in healing is learning how to protect yourself from the very source of your wound. Toxic and narcissistic family members can continue to play a disruptive role in your life if you let them.

This might mean limiting contact, setting clear boundaries, or even going no-contact if that’s what it takes for your emotional and mental well-being. While it can be incredibly difficult, especially when family members try to guilt you or manipulate you into staying in toxic dynamic, protecting your peace is essential for healing.

Boundaries could include:

Refusing to engage in negative or abusive conversations.

Limiting how much access they have to your personal life.

Refraining from sharing your business or personal successes if you know they will belittle or diminish them.

Remember: You are not responsible for their feelings. Your primary responsibility is to yourself. Your boundaries are rules you set for yourself whether others honor them or not is on them, not you. 

4. Reconnect with Your Body and Intuition

Healing isn’t just mental; it’s physical too. When you’ve been in a toxic environment for years, your body can carry that trauma in ways you don’t even realize. This is why body-based practices like somatic therapy are so important. These practices help you reconnect with your true self, your intuition, your worth, and your true power.

Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, regular walks, dancing or other physical activities can help you ground yourself in the present moment. I recommend practices that connect you with your body and its wisdom. The more you tune into how your body feels, the more you begin to trust yourself.

Also, pay attention to your inner voice. Your intuition has been drowned out by the toxic messages of your family for so long. But it’s still there, quietly waiting for you to listen. Trust it as it can be the best business partner you ever had.

5. Seek Support from Like-Minded Women

It’s incredibly important to have a support system when you’re healing. Find other women who understand the pain of toxic family dynamics and who are also on a path of growth and empowerment. Whether through therapy, coaching, or support groups, surround yourself with people who validate your experiences and encourage your growth.

This may mean seeking out a therapist or coach who specializes in family trauma or narcissistic abuse. It’s worth investing in this support because these professionals can help you work through your wounds in a safe, structured way.

6. Celebrate Your Wins—Big and Small

As entrepreneurs, we tend to minimize our accomplishments. We might downplay the milestones, dismiss praise, or even feel guilty for celebrating. But this is a behavior rooted in low self-worth. It’s time to stop that cycle.

Celebrate every win. Whether it’s landing a new client, launching a product or service, or simply making it through a tough week, take time to acknowledge your efforts and achievements. Each small victory is a testament to your capability and resilience.

Give yourself permission to be proud of your progress and your success. You’ve earned it.

Healing the self-worth wound isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about reclaiming your power and redefining your story. It’s a process, not an overnight change. But as you heal, you’ll begin to step into your entrepreneurial journey with confidence, strength, and a deep sense of worth.

You don’t have to carry the weight of your family’s toxic beliefs anymore. Your worth is intrinsic, undeniable, and yours to claim. Step into your power and remember: You are enough.

Transpersonal Psychologist & Holistic Chef, Dr. Meg Haworth helps wounded ACON’s (Adult Children of Narcissists & toxic parents) to become healed ICON’s (Independent, Confident, Original & Naturally YOU) in her ICONIC ME coaching program, The Toxic Parent Recovery Summit, online courses, her YouTube Channel, and on faculty with The Shift Network. You can reach out to her at www.meghaworth.com