Can I overcome Self Doubt🤧

 Author: Temitope Eniserije

"You can't hate yourself happy. You can't criticize yourself thin. You can't shame yourself worthy. Real change begins with self-love and self-care." - Jessica Ortner

A tired bird landed on a branch to rest. Just as the bird started relaxing on the branch, a strong wind began to blow and it looked like the branch would break. However, the bird did not fear because it knew two important truths. The first truth – even without the branch it could fly. The second truth – if that branch breaks there are many other branches it could fly to.

To overcome self-doubt, you have to increase the level of confidence you have in yourself. This brief story above gives us an idea of what self-confidence entails. Self-confidence is an opinion about your skills and abilities. It means you accept and trust yourself and have a sense of control in your life. You know your strengths and weaknesses well and have a positive view of yourself.

Self-confidence is not an innate trait; rather, it's a skill we acquire and nurture as we navigate life's journey. It isn't something that we wake up one day and notice. We must consciously develop it. Building self-confidence involves taking planned risks and acknowledging even the smallest victories along the way.

Nothing good comes easily in life—emphasizing 'nothing good'. Just like any other skill, building self-confidence takes time. Inevitably, you will encounter failure time and time again. Not because you are a failure, but because no one is immune to setbacks. 

It is also very important to recognize that failure is a part of being human; we all have our imperfections. Now, the true measure lies in your reaction to failure What do you choose to do next after failing? Do you remain on the ground, or do you muster the strength to stand up? This is what separates winners from losers. 

Failing once is not the end; you must persistently try again and again. Take note of your losses, and learn from your mistakes. And when you achieve success, no matter how little, celebrate it. Acknowledge your small victories. This is the foundation for building solid self-confidence.

Another key lesson is that possessing self-confidence doesn't erase our imperfections, nor does it guarantee constant victories. Rather, it signifies an unwavering belief in ourselves and our capabilities. In one of my favourite TV series, "The Adventures of Sabrina," there's a scene where the false priest tells his congregation, 'Don't run from the darkness, embrace it—only then will you find the light.' Upon a closer look at that statement, I finally grasped its significance, and it has stayed with me ever since. 'Embrace the darkness' implies that we shouldn't flee from our fears or insecurities; instead, we should confront them head-on. By facing and overcoming those fears, we might even uncover something greater, much like finding the light at the end of a tunnel.

Moreover, you need to surround yourself with people who are like-minded. The people you choose to interact with daily play a vital role in building your self-confidence. Making an effort to distance yourself from individuals who do not value, respect, and love you for who you are, is a crucial step to take as you connect with people who uplift and encourage you.

The truth is you cannot make significant progress in life if you lack confidence in yourself. Everyone can overcome self-doubt. They just need to know that only a determined mind can go far in building confidence. It is a conscious effort. 

Challenge yourself! Take that bold step today and wholeheartedly commit to it today.!!!🥂

You can DO IT💪