Confidence, Privilege & The Right to Wellness
“Privilege is like a VIP pass to life—except no one tells you you’re holding it.”
Confidence and privilege. Two words that shape our access to the world in ways we often don’t even realise. Confidence is how we show up, privilege is what we’re given (or denied) before we even step into the room.
At REESET, we don’t believe wellness should be a luxury item only accessible to those who can afford high-ticket retreats, boutique studios, or an endless stream of self-care products. We believe wellness is a right, not a privilege. Because at its core, wellness is about access—to rest, to movement, to nourishment, to community, to healing. And yet, for so many, that access is limited by factors beyond their control.
So let’s unpack it. What even is privilege? How does it affect confidence? And what can we do—right now—to shift the needle?
What Is Privilege, Really?
Privilege isn’t about being handed an easy life. It’s about the things you don’t have to think about because they’ve never been obstacles in your way. It’s the freedom to walk into a yoga class and see people who look like you. It’s being able to afford fresh, organic food without worrying about your electricity bill. It’s being encouraged to take up space rather than shrink yourself.
For some, privilege looks like having the time and money to prioritise mental health. For others, it’s having a body that moves without chronic pain or disability. Privilege exists in gender, race, class, nationality, education, and a thousand other things we don’t always consider.
But here’s where it gets tricky: privilege doesn’t mean you didn’t work hard. It just means some things weren’t barriers for you the way they were for others.
How Privilege Shapes Confidence
If confidence is the belief that we belong in a space, privilege is often what allows us to walk in without questioning if we deserve to be there.
Think about it:
If you’ve grown up seeing people like you succeed, confidence is easier to access.
If you’ve been told your voice matters, speaking up feels natural.
If you’ve never had to justify your presence, you assume you have the right to be anywhere you choose.
Now, flip it:
If you’ve been excluded from wellness spaces, you might feel like they aren’t "for you."
If you’ve been told you’re "too much" or "not enough," confidence takes longer to build.
If you’ve faced barriers just to get in the room, you might question whether you belong at all.
This is why REESET exists. Because wellness isn’t just about who can afford a retreat. It’s about creating a space where everyone—regardless of privilege—feels like they belong.
Where Does Privilege Show Up? (The Good & The Bad)
✅ Positive Privilege: When we acknowledge our privilege and use it to create access for others. Example? If you have financial freedom, support scholarships. If you have a platform, amplify underrepresented voices. If you have access to wellness, invite others in.
❌ Negative Privilege: When we ignore the barriers others face and assume confidence alone is enough to overcome them. Wellness spaces are filled with "just believe in yourself" messages, but confidence alone doesn’t pay for therapy, remove systemic obstacles, or make spaces more inclusive.
One Small Shift That Moves the Needle
Practice “Expanding the Table.”
Today, ask yourself: Who is missing from the conversation? Who isn’t in the room, the retreat, the yoga studio, the leadership team? And what’s one thing you can do to invite them in?
If you run a wellness space, offer sliding scale pricing.
If you’re attending an event, look around—are all the voices the same? Speak up.
If you have confidence, lend it to someone who doesn’t yet believe in their own.
Small shifts create big change. And when we move the needle for others, we create a world where confidence isn’t just for the privileged—it’s for everyone.
At REESET we offer free Open Access Tickets to our Retreats and Experiences. Find out more here.
