What Happens When You Doubt Yourself

Doubting ourselves is more common than you might think. It’s easy to become unsure if we are doing the right thing, or trying to predict the consequences our actions may have, or if we should even bother trying in the first place.

Self-doubt is normal, but when we start doubting ourselves too often, we can start to lose confidence in our own abilities. It can hold us back from trying new things, taking chances and even struggling with every day life.

Self-doubt can bring fear, like losing control, of not being good enough. Of thinking that it’s just not possible.

People who doubt themselves are uncertain and worry about things they can’t control. They find it hard when things don’t go according to plan.

It may be normal, but self-doubt doesn’t have to hold you back from living your life or being who you are. Don’t let yourself get stuck in the spiral of doubt.

Why Do We Doubt Ourselves?

Self-doubt occurs when we lack confidence in ourselves and it feels like we are incapable of doing the things that we need to do.

Our previous negative experiences can affect us more than we’d like. Past experiences can shake our confidence and unsettle us. If something didn’t go right, we can attach that negativity to things we want to achieve now.

We often get into a habit of comparing our own lives and progress to that of others. It can make us feel inadequate. We see how amazing someone else is, and then how could we possibly be as good as they are? But sometimes it’s not that we can’t be just as good, it’s that we are comparing our starting points to someone who is further along in their journey. Comparisons to others gets you nowhere. The only person you should ty to do better than is yourself.

We lose trust in ourselves. We can go through life at times feeling okay. But things can happen that can shatter our confidence and have us questioning everything about ourselves.

Often we worry or listen too much to what other people think of us. The way others speak about us can become the way we see ourselves. Even if it’s not true. But we start to believe it.

Experiencing things we can’t control can make us feel uncertain. It can make us feel powerless, and a shadow of who we used to be. It can feel like things are happening to us, and there is nothing we can do to fix it.

Anything that has us venturing out of our comfort zone can plant seeds of doubt in our minds. Doing anything for the first time can be scary. It can feel overwhelming and can have us questioning if we can actually achieve what we are setting out to do.

Over time, self-doubt can contribute to depression and anxiety, lack of productivity, motivation and lower self-esteem.

Self Doubt Symptoms

When you are doubting your abilities, some of the symptoms you may be experiencing are –

• Fear of failing
• Focusing on negatives and ignoring any achievements we have made
• Avoiding challenges
• Blaming ourselves when things go wrong, even when it’s not our fault
• Thinking that other people are better than us so why bother
• Saying negative things and being critical of ourselves
• Being unable to accept compliments
• Feel incapable of doing the things we need to do.
• Feel like we are not good enough, or will never be good enough no matter how hard we try

How to Remove Doubt From Your Mind

There are several things you can try to banish self-doubt from your life.

You need to start by recongnising the negative voices in your head. Take away their power. Choose not to believe them. Instead of giving in, try to think about it in a more positive way. You can do it. What are you going to lose by giving it a go?

Try and look at things from a new perspective. Sometimes we are too close or too focused and we can’t always see that there is a different way to go about things.

Try to remember that it’s just something new for you to learn. If you need to practise more, then do it. You can get there.

Surround yourself with things that makes you smile. It’s easier to be positive and give things a go when you feel happier.

Create a board, journal, checklist or something with your focus or goals to help keep you motivated. Writing things down step by step and breaking things up into smaller, manageable tasks makes it much easier to make progress.

Start a gratitude journal. List things that you are happy about, things that make you smile. It will help you to feel better about yourself and see the positivity in life.

Write down the things you are unsure about yourself and possibly any reasons why you might feel this way. Has something happened in your life that is preventing you from doing what you want?

Keep a list of steps you have taken to overcome your self doubt and maybe take note of any of the things that helped, no matter how small.

When you feel like giving up or if it feels like things are too hard, keep in mind the end picture. Focus on that. It will help you to stay on track.

Ask for help. Something that is often overlooked. We go about our lives doing everything ourselves and become stressed and overwhelmed. Sometimes just getting reassurance from others can be a confidence booster, or even just getting someone to listen to our fears or uncertainties. At times we can be our own worst enemies.

Never Doubt Yourself Quotes

If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Willem van Gogh

Dont’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible. – Roy T. Bennett

Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will – Suzy Kassem

Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself. Believe in yourself, your abilities and your own potential. Never let self-doubt hold you captive. You are worthy of all that you dream of and hope for. – Roy T. Bennett

Always have faith in yourself and the universe, for one will not get you anywhere without the other. Both must be equally strong to reach your desires, for they are the wings that will lift you to your dreams. – Suzy Kassem

Don’t waste life in doubt or fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Feeling doubtful about what you are capable of is hard. But just remember, doubting yourself is normal. No matter how hard you try to stop it, there will likely be times that you will question your abilities.

The important thing is to recognise that it is happening, and put a stop to it. Don’t let your doubt stand in you way!

Have you experienced self-doubt? What have you found that works for you?