Stop Doubting Yourself

Self-doubt is a troublesome voice that holds you back. It prevents you from going after your dreams and holds you back from reaching your true potential. Instead of listening to the anxious, worried voice that keeps us from progressing, we must learn to listen to our highest selves. Here are five steps you can take to stop doubting yourself:

Stop overthinking

When those judgmental thoughts start to bubble up to the surface, do not let them linger. They do not serve you. You must recognize that your brain does not hold space for judgemental, self-doubting thoughts. Instead of letting these thoughts get out of control to the point where it paralyzes you, stop them. Question where they are coming from, analyze that thought pattern, and learn to separate yourself from that pattern. Replace those judgemental thoughts with positive, nice thoughts. Let go of ‘should’ thinking, and replace your evaluations with neutral language, or with descriptions of what is. This helps you stick to the facts and not overthink the situation.

Trust your gut

Trust yourself and your innate wisdom and intuition. We all have access to this wisdom, but sometimes we don’t hear it. Sometimes we mistake those loud, anxious thoughts for our intuition. These thoughts, while at times may protect us, usually hold us back. Silence that loud, worried voice by taking a few deep breaths, closing your eyes, and visualizing your happy place. This will help you hear your intuition, which is the calmer and wiser voice deep within you.

Write down a list of your past accomplishments.

Whenever I start doubting myself, it’s usually because I am insecure and have forgotten all the amazing things that I have accomplished in the past. Even if they are seemingly small, they are still an achievement worthy of celebration. If you are ever stuck in a rut, doubting yourself, or not thinking you are good enough to do what you want to do, try making a list of everything, big and small, that you have already accomplished. Bonus points if you remember things that you have achieved that you never thought you would. There are always going to be moments where we feel like we aren’t good enough to achieve something. The trick to pushing past it is stepping outside of your comfort zone and proving yourself wrong again and again.

Fake it until you make it.

Instead of falling victim to the thought pattern that tells you that you aren’t good enough, act as if you are. Fake that confidence and self-assurance, and act as if you have what you want already. If you pretend you are successful, intelligent, and self-assured, eventually you will have no choice but to push past your self-doubt and become all of these things.

Start a self-love ritual.

Incorporating time into your life to take care of yourself is the most important thing you can do for yourself. The more you focus on spending time loving yourself, the less you will doubt yourself. Take five to ten minutes before bed and dedicate that time to pampering yourself. Start by repeating this mantra from Louise Hay to yourself: “I love and approve of myself. I am safe in this world.” Telling yourself over and over again that you love and approve of yourself will reprogram your subconscious mind, which more than likely has been programmed to tell you that you are worthless and ugly. Replace those hateful thoughts with loving ones. Additionally, get in touch with your body and all the magical things it can do for you by doing five yoga poses a day. This will teach you how strong and amazing your body really is, and will make you realize how incredible it is to be just as you are, as cheesy as it may seem.

If you liked this article, check out our article from last week, Art Therapy Activities for September.

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Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.