Am I worth it? It’s an uncomfortable question, isn’t it? To put a price tag on yourself.

Recently, I found myself having an internal battle over £15. Not for something extravagant. Not for something unnecessary. But for something that would have made my day just a little bit easier.

Here’s the context. A client meeting location got changed at the last minute, which meant I had to take an early train and stay overnight. That meant leaving my children before they woke up—something I always find hard. I had back-to-back client delivery days ahead of me, and I knew I’d be exhausted.

If I’m honest, I don’t love train travel. I prefer driving—having my own space and a sense of control over my environment. I’m sensitive to my surroundings, and busy trains can feel overwhelming. So upgrading to first class, for an extra £15, would have given me a quieter space, more comfort, and a moment of calm before a demanding day.

But I hesitated.

Was it worth the extra money?

More importantly, was I worth the extra money?

Why Do Women Struggle to Invest in Themselves?

I know I’m not alone in this. Research shows that women are far less likely than men to invest in themselves—whether it’s financial investments, career development, or even small everyday comforts.

A 2019 study by Kantar found that women feel less comfortable spending money on themselves compared to men, especially if they have children. Many of us experience “spender’s guilt”, questioning whether we truly deserve the expense.

According to research by Starling Bank, women are 50% more likely than men to feel guilty about spending money on non-essentials. And when it comes to career and business investments, a Fidelity study found that women are less likely to put money into their own growth—despite evidence showing that when they do, they tend to outperform men in long-term financial returns.

This hesitation to spend on ourselves is often linked to societal conditioning. From a young age, many women are taught to prioritise others—our children, our partners, our work. We justify spending on others without question, yet when it comes to ourselves, we pause. We hesitate.

But here’s the thing. That £15 wasn’t just an upgrade—it was an investment. In my energy. In my ability to show up fully for my clients. In making a tiring trip just that little bit more manageable.

And I am worth that.

We’re Worth It

We don’t question spending on our children’s comfort, our family’s needs, or our colleagues’ wellbeing. So why do we question spending on ourselves?

As the famous advert says: we’re worth it.

So, next time you hesitate to invest in something that makes your life a little easier, ask yourself: would I do this for someone I love?

If the answer is yes, then do it. Because you deserve it too.