It’s funny how, just last week, I wrote about being okay with being okay at things, and today, I find myself full of self-doubt.
Self-doubt often makes me question everything I have done and am currently doing. Today, I found myself saying things like:
- Who are you to write a newsletter and send it to people?
- You don’t have anything interesting to say.
- Maybe that YouTube comment is correct; you have no idea what you’re talking about.
- You’re not the father others think you are.
- You’re failing your wife.
It’s easy to allow these thoughts to come in and remove what is true. They also seem to escalate quickly if left unchecked.
I’ve been working on a process for realigning myself with the truth before allowing myself to spiral. It looks like this:
- Reflect & Meditate: I take time to think through the thoughts I am currently having and measure them against the truth that I know. I ask myself questions like:
- Is what I am thinking true?
- Why am I believing this now?
- Do those closest to me believe this about me?
- Identify what I can be thankful for in this moment.
- Seek Honesty
- Pray (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- Read through previous journal entries.
- Seek Community: Self-doubt is worse in isolation. I will do my best to find someone to connect with, whether my wife, kids or a friend.
- Past Truths
- Recall situations where I was confident.
- Read encouraging scripture.
- Remind myself not to lean on my understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
After finishing this post later in the day, I didn’t end up stuck for long. Now, when I begin to feel self-doubt creep up, I seek to find a way to implement this immediately. I’ll add this to my framework list to help when my mind starts fighting me.
What helps you get unstuck when self-doubt begins to consume you?
