Learning to Ask for More: A Lesson in Worth, Fear, and Growth

A Reflection on Worth, Fear, and Growth

When my January income came in, I paused.

I had taken on new client hours and truly thought I would be closer to a higher number. But when I sat down and did the math, I realized something important. I had capped myself at twenty five dollars an hour across the board.

That number no longer reflects where I am.

I was not disappointed because I was not working hard. I was disappointed because I was working hard and the income did not match the effort, growth, or responsibility I have stepped into.

That is when old patterns resurfaced. Scarcity mindset. Fear. The familiar voice telling me to stay grateful and not ask for more. Even though I have been actively working to shift that mindset.

Taking Control of My Finances

In 2025, I made a decision to take control of my money.

I opened my first high yielding savings account. I started learning about investing. I began reading books and implementing what I learned. For the first time in a long time, I created a savings cushion.

I was almost at 10k!!!!!!

Then life happened...

My dog was attacked, and unexpected expenses wiped out more than half of what I had saved. Shortly after, I lost my serving job, the one that had been helping me stay afloat while I built my business.

That was the moment I went fully into my virtual assistant business.

And here I am now, with clients I truly appreciate. Clients who gave me the opportunity not only for financial freedom, but for time freedom. The ability to work from anywhere. To control my hours. To build something aligned with the life I want.

That part of the dream has become real.

The Income Conversation I Have Been Avoiding

The part I am still working through is sustainability.

In just six months, I have grown immensely as a virtual assistant. I have worked with multiple clients, each with different needs, platforms, and expectations. Every client has taught me something new.

I now feel confident offering feedback, suggesting tools, and sharing strategies based on real experience. I am still learning, and I always will be, but I do have knowledge and I do have experience.

And yet, I am scared to ask for a raise.

I have everything prepared. The words. The support from my mentors. Even drafts created with the help of ChatGPT. Still, something holds me back.

The truth is that I have never negotiated for myself. I have spent most of my life making myself smaller so I would not lose what I had. I stayed quiet to feel safe.

That mindset no longer serves the version of me I am becoming.

Proof That It Is Safe to Ask

Recently, I lost a client.

That same day, I signed a new contract with another one. (FYI: this was the first client I did not actively pursue, she came to me naturally!!!!)

I went from five clients to four, almost to three, and then back up again. That moment

showed me something important. When one door closes, another can open, sometimes immediately.

My nervous system struggles to accept that truth because it is wired for protection, not expansion. Growth requires discomfort. It asks us to move beyond what feels familiar.

That is exactly where I am right now.

Choosing Growth Anyway

Writing this is an act of awareness and release.

I know my worth. I know my clients value me. I know that the support I give deserves to be reflected fairly.

2024 was about building. 2025 is about sustainability. 2026 will be about refinement. And 2027 will be about scaling.

I am excited and nervous at the same time.

If you have ever questioned your worth, felt afraid to ask for more, or stayed small to protect what you had, I see you.

Sometimes belief comes after action. Sometimes you have to trust your intuition before you understand how everything will work out. You do not need the entire plan. You need intention and the courage to begin.

That is what I am doing now.

Thank you for letting me be vulnerable. Thank you for being here. Thank you for witnessing this part of my journey.

Your bilingual VA,

P.S.

After writing this blog and releasing the fear around asking for more, I took action.

Within the next couple of days, I communicated with my clients that I would be raising my prices starting in February.

One of those conversations happened live, and it felt incredibly supportive. She not only received it with ease, but also took the time to encourage me, share insights on scaling, and remind me that growth is expected and welcomed. I did not feel awkward or uncomfortable. I felt seen, valued, and supported.

That moment reminded me that the right clients want you to grow. They do not want you to stay where you started.

I am deeply grateful for the clients I have right now. We support each other, learn from one another, and grow together. That mutual respect and shared expansion is exactly

what I envisioned when I started this journey.

And now, I am finally allowing myself to receive it.