We all experience feelings of self-doubt from time to time, whether we’re starting a new job, taking a test, or playing a sport. That’s perfectly normal.  A certain low level of self-criticism can be a good source of motivation. It use may inspire you to work harder and hone your skills to increase your confidence. But too much doubt and fear can hold you from performing well and reaching your full potential. If left untreated, self-doubt can lead to mental disorders. People with pervasive self-doubt may begin to have a difficult time making decisions and experience low self-confidence. This can then lead to anxiety and depression. However, it is possible to overcome self-doubt and have a fulfilling life.

The fundamental strategy for releasing your self-doubt is TRUSTING YOURSELF
Trusting yourself means believing in your ability to make good decisions, handle challenges, and accomplish your goals. It’s what gives you the courage and confidence to expand your comfort zone, take risks, and try new things. And it’s a key mindset that sets highly successful people apart from everybody else. When you have a high degree of self-trust, you can stop doubting yourself. You will no longer feel like holding back from pursuing the things you want to experience and achieve. But without self-trust, you miss out on all kinds of opportunities.

Self-trust means consistently staying true to yourself. At its very core, trusting yourself means you look after your own needs and safety. You treat yourself with love and compassion, rather than strive for perfection. You know, deep down, that you can survive difficulties (and you refuse to give up on yourself).

Here’s what self-trust looks like to me:

• Awareness of your thoughts and feelings
• Expressing yourself openly and honestly
• Sticking to personal standards, ethics, and core values
• Knowing when you need to take care of yourself first
• Confidence that you can get through difficult times
• Pursuing your dreams, without letting others stop you 

Here’s what a lack of self-trust looks like:

• Feeling like you are not good enough.
• Coming down hard on yourself when criticized, feeling guilty and ashamed.
• Difficulty making decisions and constantly asking others for guidance.
• Being afraid of making the wrong choice or disappointing others.
• Following the advice of an external authority, even when it’s harmful to you.
• Hiding your authentic self, feeling overly self-conscious.
• When you don’t trust yourself, you end up going in a million different directions. 

Reminders for building your self-trust:

• Pay attention to your negative self-talk
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Release emotional baggage/ trauma; heal your inner child
• Stop comparing yourself with others
• Practice self-compassion
• Think back to your past achievements
• Spend your time with supportive people
• Remember, you are your biggest inner critic
• Seek professional help
• Start journaling
• Start meditating
• Keep your chakras in balance

Journaling prompts to release self-doubt:

• Write down a time that you were convinced you couldn’t do something but then achieved it?  How did it feel?
• What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
• List 5 qualities (at least) that make you unique.
  

Affirmations for a stronger YOU:

• I am perfect exactly as I am.
• I am growing and becoming.
• I am enough.
• I am right where I’m supposed to be.
• I have all that I need within me now.
• I am here for a purpose.
• I love myself.
• I am here.

Overthinking can get in the way of trusting yourself. When you make a decision, overthinking can cause you to second-guess your choices. This leads to internal conflict and anxiety.
Sometimes you need to get out of your head and listen to your gut. That means listening to what your body has to say about a situation. Instead of asking what you think, what do you feel?
Listen to your inner voice; your intuition; take the first step towards trusting yourself.

You can do it!
P.S. Want to build your intuition muscle? Check out our upcoming November 30, 2023 workshop!