Self-doubt is part of our lives. How do you ease it?

Easing self-doubt can be challenging, but here are a few strategies that may help you based on my experience and research.

1. Challenge your negative thoughts: When you notice yourself having self-doubting thoughts, try to question their validity. Ask yourself if there is any evidence to support those thoughts or if there is another perspective you can take.

2. Focus on your strengths: Instead of dwelling on your weaknesses or perceived shortcomings, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Make a list of your past successes and remind yourself of them when you start to doubt yourself.

3. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a good friend. Recognize that everyone experiences self-doubt at times, and that it’s a normal part of the human experience.

4. Surround yourself with positive people: Spend time with people who support and encourage you. Avoid people who are critical or negative, as their words and actions can fuel self-doubt.

5. Take action: Sometimes the best way to overcome self-doubt is to take action. Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps and focus on making progress each day.

6. Learn from failures: Instead of letting failures feed your self-doubt, use them as opportunities to learn and grow.

7. Seek professional help: If self-doubt is causing significant distress or impacting your daily life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. They can provide you with tools and strategies to manage self-doubt and build confidence.

Remember, overcoming self-doubt is a process that takes time and effort. But with practice, you can learn to trust yourself and your abilities.

Reference

Huang, G., Stewardson, A., Grayson, M. (2014). Back to Basics: hand hygiene and isolation. doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000080 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086774/

Kim, W., Kim T., Lee, T., Ju, Y., Park, E. (2016).The effect of childhood and current economic status on depressive symptoms in South Korean individuals: a longitudinal study. doi: 10.1186/s12939-016-0402-0