Jul 23, 20203 min read

overcoming self-doubt

hello girls!

over the past few months, i have dealt with this nasty little dream killer called self doubt. when i decided to write this article, i questioned if i really was the greatest person to be talking on this topic considering how much i have struggled with this, but then decided that it's much better to be transparent and realistic.

let's be real for a second... life is nothing like instagram. i feel that on social media we can get so caught up in a false portrait of what life really is like. we filter pictures to the point of inauthenticity and we push the pretty moments out into the world without really acknowledging that it can also get really, really, ugly.

that being said, just because you're going through a rough time, doesn't mean it is always going to be bad. these moments only makes us stronger. they make us grow, and they make the sweet times much sweeter.

if you are struggling with self-doubt, know that you're not alone! below, i'm going to talk about some of the most valuable things that i've learned on how to overcome self-doubt:

learn when to take a break and when to push yourself

i'm a firm believer that your dreams are never going to happen if you don't work your butt off to get them. with that being said, you need to be smart about how you chase them. when you find your thoughts falling towards the negative side, or if you're so frustrated that you can't figure a certain part of your story (or project) out, sometimes it's best to take a few days away from it to let your brain refresh. i've learned that forcing myself to work on my project and beating myself up when i can't figure it out is not healthy and is counterproductive. don't be afraid to step away for a bit and come back with a clear mind! you'll be surprised how much this can help your progress.

have a good support system

take my advice. if you are a creator, rejection is inevitable. art is such a brave thing to create. it takes bravery and vulnerability. when you put your art out there it is quite literally like bearing a piece of your soul that some of your critics will not be gentle with. spoken from experience, rejection stings. it can make you doubt everything you thought you believed about yourself. it is crucial to surround yourself with people that are going to help you grow, who will be a shoulder to cry on and will constantly remind you of what the end goal is. having people lifting you up and pouring positivity on you daily will make the negative noise a little softer.

stay true to yourself

as i have stated above, when people criticize your work, you will begin to doubt everything you thought you knew. this is something that i've learned recently. in the past, i would be so confident in my creative choices, and now it seems like every time i begin to make a decision the voice in my head is saying, "what will they think about this?" and that's not great! don't do this! your art is yours. don't let anyone take away your creativity. don't let anyone put out your light. and definitely, do not change the way you create because a few people say it is wrong. it isn't!

self care is key

when you feel like the doubt is going to drown you and swallow you whole, take a deep breath, step away, clear your mind, and do things that make you happy. take a walk, read a book you love, cook something yummy. do something that is good for your mental health! at the end of the day, despite all the obstacles and negative thoughts, you need to acknowledge all that you've overcome and tell yourself that you are proud of what you have done.