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Stop Saying “I Deserve It” – You Probably Don’t

The word deserve is thrown around way too much these days. Back in the day, it meant you earned something through hard work and effort. Now? People use it to justify entitlement.

You hear it all the time:

  • “I deserve to be happy.”
  • “I deserve a vacation.”
  • “I deserve that raise.”

But do you really? Or do you just want it?

What "Deserve" Used to Mean

The word deserve comes from the Latin deservire, meaning “to serve well.” Basically, if you put in the effort, you got the reward. Simple. (Etymology of "deserve")

It wasn’t just about wanting something; it was about earning it. If you worked hard, you deserved the raise. If you trained every day, you deserved the championship. There was a clear connection between effort and outcome.

The Shift to Entitlement

Somewhere along the way, people stopped using deserve to mean earned and started using it to mean expected. Now, people say they deserve things just because they exist. No effort, no work—just vibes.

And the worst part? This mindset is everywhere. Social media is full of people hyping themselves up with “You deserve the world” quotes. But no one’s talking about the work that goes into actually getting those things.

Why This Is a Problem

Throwing deserve around too easily has real consequences:

  • Less Personal Responsibility – If you think you deserve something just because, you won’t push yourself to work for it.
  • Strained Relationships – Entitlement leads to expecting things from others without giving anything in return.
  • Apathy & Low Standards – If everyone just "deserves" success, why bother working for it? This kills motivation and drive.

Time to Reclaim "Deserve"

Instead of using deserve as an excuse, let’s go back to its original meaning. You don’t deserve happiness—you build a life that creates happiness. You don’t deserve success—you earn it through effort.

Next time you catch yourself saying, “I deserve this,” ask yourself:

  • What did I do to earn it?
  • Would I still say this if I had to prove it?

If the answer is “nothing” and “no,” then maybe—just maybe—you don’t actually deserve it.

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