Self-doubt is something we all experience from time to time. It can slowly buildup and interject itself within our lives, but often it strikes as a sudden plague! When we lose confidence in ourselves and our abilities, everyday tasks like doing laundry or cooking a meal can seem impossible. Fortunately, there’s hope! We have the power to stop self-doubt from behaving like a debilitating disease. By applying these 5 simple steps, anytime you experience self-doubt, you can kick it to the curb and take back the reins of your life.
(Image courtesy of Jaelen List)
- Reflect on Previous Success
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You’ve accomplished a lot in your life and overcome everything that’s been thrown at you so far. Allow yourself the recognition you deserve for all that you’ve done. It’s okay to be proud of yourself and it’s perfectly healthy to celebrate your achievements. Create a list of all the incredible things you’ve done and next time you start to experience self-doubt, pull out your list and remember how amazing you are!
- Validate Yourself
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We often experience self-doubt during the most vulnerable periods of our lives. Perhaps we feel unprepared for an upcoming test, performance, or interview; whatever the case may be, we’re typically afraid to fail. In particular, we fear that other people will think less of us if we don’t succeed. While feeling this way is normal, we must remember that it’s unhelpful to dwell on this fear. It’s important to remind yourself that you are worthy of praise. Journal a list of your favourite quotes and be your own hype man whenever self-doubt begins to creep in.
- Practice Self-Compassion
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Acknowledge that self-doubt is only temporary. It’s a reminder that you’re human and not a sign of weakness. There is no need to shame yourself when you experience self-doubt. Instead, focus on moving forward and celebrating who you are. Whenever self-doubt strikes take the time to do something for yourself. Sink into a hot bath, enjoy a cup of tea, or chat with your bestie. You deserve to treat yourself!
- Remember, You’re Not Alone
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Everyone experiences self-doubt and no one is immune to feeling less confident once in a while. We are often guilty of playing the comparison game. We determine that everyone around us has it all together; meanwhile, we are just barely scraping by. This couldn’t be further from the truth! We are all human and we all struggle. So next time you feel self-doubt, remind yourself that you’re not alone. This will help you move forward and not be so hard on yourself.
- Take a Moment to Relax
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When we experience self-doubt we often feel overwhelmed and lack clarity in our thoughts. It can become difficult or even impossible to be productive. This can lead to feeling anxious and stressed. It’s important to give yourself a break and the necessary time to recharge. Trying to plough through and complete the task at hand will more than likely lead to feeling even more overwhelmed. Jot down a list of your top activities for relaxation and test out your favourites anytime self-doubt begins to control your thoughts.
Remember that you are strong and capable. You have overcome many obstacles in the past and achieved many great things. By applying these 5 simple steps you can overcome any feelings of self-doubt and rise above any challenge!