Five ways to work through self doubt

Oct 7

Do you ever find it difficult to get dressed, apply for a job, ask that hottie out on a date, or speak your truth? How often have you come up with a perfect idea, followed it through to a certain extent and then abandoned it in favor of something more within your comfort zone? And what about those moments when you feel yourself overwhelmed with a “vulnerability hangover” - the closing down sometimes experienced after revealing too much of ourselves?

We all go there - some of us more than others. Self doubt is one of humanity’s biggest handbrakes, holding back the vitality and success of so many beautiful intentions. To have an ego, or sense of ‘I-ness’, is to have an image and a sense of separation, and for nearly everyone self-criticism rears its head at some point in their lives.

When those doubt patterns kick in, turn to the tools. Here’s some tips to move through it swiftly and with grace, to reclaim the power that is inherently yours:

ONE. Identify your blockage

Perhaps doubt is more commonly related to a certain area of your life - for example, you feel confident in your career, but when it comes to relationships, your self-worth leads you to ride the struggle bus over and over again. Perhaps you criticize the way you look, or question your ability to express your talent. Perhaps you simply find it hard to make decisions in general. Once you’ve identified your triggers, notice the thought patterns that signal a diving into this critical place. There may be a series of thoughts that spiral downwards. There may be physical sensations associated with a feeling of shame, such as heat in the face, tightness in the chest or a beating heart. You may find yourself reacting with certain behaviors, such as defensiveness, reclusiveness, or addictive patterns.

Ask yourself: What are my biggest challenges to being empowered? Allow your brainstorm to reveal the patterns and themes of your self doubt. It may come in the shape of identifying the moment or event that blocked you (“ever since my teacher told me I was bad at art, I’ve never felt able to draw”) or recognizing a repetitive pattern (“each time I come up with a new idea, the fear of failure creeps in and ruins it”). Once you’ve identified your main themes, the awareness will allow you to spot it when it arises… and you are able to come up with a direct solution to reforming those mental patterns.

TWO. Recognize your achievements

Where does your power lie? What have you done that’s worked? What makes you shine? Often, a state of self-doubt leads us to forget the magic that is inside us. Taking time to write down the aspects of ourselves that we are grateful for can remind us of the powerful being that we are.

Wake up with a gratitude list every morning to remind yourself of the blessings that surround you. Write a letter of thanks to yourself, and sign it “and I forgive you for everything else,” then read it to yourself in a meaningful space. Create affirmations to help you realize what you already have, and repeat them. The most important thing here is to love yourself, for when you are your best friend, you bloom.

THREE. Make use of your tools

We all have our tools to shift the energy of doubt and fear. Half the problem of a low sense of worthiness is in maintaining a state of equilibrium. We tend to get stuck in spirals of emotion that, unchecked, can take us down a road to smallness. Catch the pattern as its happening however, and it is more than possible to reform the habit.

To do this, make a list of all the things that help you to reset. It could be having a hot shower, going to a yoga class, running, reading a book, seeing a friend, meditation, or your favorite hobby. It could be connected to gratitude or recognition as in the previous point, and it could come in the form of a systematic approach to your mental habits. Whatever the tools are, use them. Don’t let your vibration continue to descend - a change of state or space is essential to keep the energy moving through and away.

FOUR. Try something new

The incredible progress of humankind is largely down to our awe-dropping abilities to create. We thrive when we are able to adapt and be resourceful to what is in front of us in the moment. To create is to make something new, and with something new often comes doubt or even fear.

Creativity doesn’t need to mean art or music. It could come in the form of a new walk to work, a new system for your work, or a project or venture started from the heart. How often are you in a state of creativity? How much of your day is routine? Break out of the comfort zone, for it is there that the magic resides.

FIVE. Educate yourself

Hand in hand with creativity comes our ability to learn. All of us have dreams of progressing ourselves in some way. So you always wanted to keep bees - what is stopping you? Want to find out how to make homemade chocolate or raw-style cuisine? And what about that college course you felt you didn’t have the ability to try before? Read a non-fiction book, or commit to a weekly class. Give yourself permission to try something, and revel in the freedom and confidence it brings! Education means opening doors… and when we do that, who knows where the new path will lead!

Visualize your highest Self

What would life look like if you were living at your full potential? What would it feel like to be free of doubt, shame and fear? How would it feel to live a life where you knew… just knew what it felt like to shine everywhere you went?

Close your eyes and sit quietly, listening to your breath. Ask yourself these questions and allow an image to filter down through your consciousness. This is your highest Self, the expression of you that is at its most evolved existence. Fix the image in your mind, a vision of You, shining, expansive and calm. Call on this image in times of doubt and let the true You emerge through the emotions.