How to Overcome Self-Doubt and End Negative Thought Patterns

You’re not alone if you lack confidence.

Although it manifests in idiosyncratic ways, self-doubt is universal.

Self-doubt is dangerous because it threatens the future; doubt holds you back, locks you into stagnation and effectively stifles self-improvement.

But this isn’t permanent.

Regardless of why you doubt yourself — whether it’s regret, trauma, or ignorance — you can overcome any insecurity with careful attention to your thoughts, feelings and actions.

Think Differently

As you read this, I know what you’re thinking:

What kind of advice is “think differently???”

Well, think about it — you’re reading this because your thoughts plague you. You doubt yourself. Who’s to blame here?

I’ll tell ya. YOU.

Yes, it’s your fault.

Painful as it is, there’s liberation in realizing you are the source of your lowly self-perception — because that means you’re in control of it.

Typically, negative emotions arise subconsciously due to trauma or pain; seemingly, doubt arises due to external factors outside yourself.

Maybe your father hit you when you were little. Or your brother teased you relentlessly. Perhaps some bully EMBARRASSED you at school.

Regardless, there are many outside reasons to feel low, helpless and downtrodden in the moment. However, you control these long-term.

Pain has an interesting relationship with the passing of time.

If a specific experience continues to bother you for years to come, you should seriously examine why.

At some point, it’s a conscious choice to carry negative emotions forward (because you’re neglecting opportunities to resolve them).

If you continue to think negatively about yourself long term, you’ll become exactly that in time: self-critical, neurotic, and internally doubtful.

Luckily, the opposite is true.

You can think differently — you can improve mentally. Imagine what you’d be like if you filled your mind with positive thoughts for a month? Hm.

Eminem for example:

Eminem (arguably the greatest rapper of all time) is a prime example of “thinking differently” in regard to personal fault.

Marshall Mathers’ childhood was ridden with strife, neglect, and trauma — he had every reason to doubt himself.

However, in his autobiographical movie “8 Mile,” the young MC chooses to embrace self-criticism and transform it into his favor.

During the final rap battle, B-Rabbit turns all of his hurt and pain and trauma into a sort of superpower. He flips doubt on its head.

Essentially, he insults himself, takes ownership of his negative traits and completely diffuses his opponents’ opportunities to one-up him.

B-Rabbit becomes completely unfazed — he integrates his trauma, which in turn makes him utterly unstoppable.

Do Just 1% Better

If thinking alone won’t combat your self-doubt, action certainly will.

Obviously, if you’re doubtful about your existence, you need to change.

People are way more likely to improve if they notice themselves already actively improving. So make your initial improvements bite-sized.

For example, if you’re feeling self-critical of your body and overall health, don’t start by trying to run 3 miles the first day.

Start with 10 minutes of walking. Make that your first milestone.

Although running is objectively “better” than walking, it’s a good strategy to reduce the barrier between action and progress down to virtually zero.

Do one thing today that’ll make you 1% better than yesterday.

If you space out your self-improvements into tiny, little increments, you’re way more likely to tap into momentum, a very powerful force.

This will lead to more sustained progress over time (as opposed to failing at altering your entire physique in one-3-mile-fell-swoop.

Start small now.

Remove Negativity from Your Mind

WARNING: If you feel like a piece of shit, odds are you might be surrounded by external pieces of shit (and not even know it).

You may think it’s 100% your fault you feel insecure… but there are lots of inputs outside yourself that can cause discouragement.

For example, social media has a tendency to disrupt mental states of young adolescents, due to what’s called the “comparison fallacy.”

Random, suggested content can cause one to feel inferior, which negatively impacts thought patterns and hinders self-image.

Recognize that you can control and limit this.

In life, you should always beware of individuals who are downright malicious, negative and vicious proponents of negativity.

This may be a theme in your family.

Or words of a close friend from your childhood.

In any case, to overcome self-doubt you have to carefully curate your social circles and limit negative voices (especially those you consume online).

Again, there’s a positive flip side to this.

If you surround yourself with people who are positive, they will inspire you, influence you, and hold you accountable to living a better life.

Yes. Insecurity might make it hard in the beginning — you might doubt your ability to make new, healthy relationships. But you can.

Ultimately, it comes down to your willingness to take action.

Thanks for reading! This is a lil inspirational piece designed to motivate anyone who feels trapped or overwhelmed by life. It will be ok. :)

Overcoming self-doubt is a journey, not a destination.

If you embrace the process and know that with every step you’re getting closer to your full potential, you improve over time.

Remember that you can — and don’t lose hope along the way.

-AZ