How to Overcome Insecurities [When You Have So Many]
No one is a stranger to insecurity. Perhaps you’ve felt insecure about your looks, your intelligence, certain skills you wish you were better at, or the direction your life is going.
Yes, everyone feels insecure from time to time, including the most outgoing amongst us. But some of us tend to struggle with worries more than others.
Even if you’ve always felt shy and insecure, you can become more confident and self-assured. What’s the secret? Affirmations and uplifting platitudes may not do much. But implementing consistent habits and shifting your mindset to make lasting improvements can change everything.
Here are a few steps you can take to overcome insecurities.
Be Honest with Yourself
Sometimes when you’re feeling insecure about trying something new, you just need to ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?”
Envisioning the worst-case scenario can provide you with a little more clarity. You’ll probably realize that the worst that could happen isn’t actually so bad, after all. And if you do screw up and make a mistake, you’ll almost always have the chance to try again.
Take a Step Back
Are your insecurities in areas where you’re genuinely struggling? For example, let’s say you’re feeling insecure about your financial situation and your income. Maybe you make less than your friends, and you’re nervous that they’re judging you for it.
But if you’re financially stable, have no trouble paying your bills, and save some money every month, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. And if you do have to admit to yourself that you could improve in certain areas? You have the opportunity to turn things around.
Ask for Help
You might feel like you have to tackle all of your insecurities on your own and worry that asking for help will make you look weak. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you open up to your friends and family about your struggles, they will probably want to help you out.
For example, let’s say you want to go to the gym and start lifting weights, but you’re insecure about trying it in front of everyone because of your lack of experience. Ask a more knowledgeable friend to join you and give you some pointers.
Start Small
When you’re trying to become more confident, you don’t have to dive headfirst into a ton of new habits or hobbies right away. It’s okay to take it slow.
For instance, imagine you just moved to a new city. Perhaps you’re feeling insecure because you don’t have much of a social life yet. You don’t have to fill your calendar with one event after another every weekend. But perhaps committing to one social event each week where you could meet some new people would be a good start.
Talk to a Therapist
Even if you don’t suspect that you have an anxiety disorder or mental health condition, talking to a therapist can still help you overcome insecurities and worries about how others perceive you.
Therapy does not have to be reserved for times when you feel like you’re in crisis mode. In fact, seeing a therapist can be a preventative measure. If you’ve been feeling more insecure than usual lately, you may want to schedule a few sessions and start making changes now, rather than waiting for things to get worse.
Seeing a therapist can be especially helpful when you want to overcome insecurities that have lingered for a long time. Individual and group therapy are both options. You don’t have to struggle on your own. Professional help is there when you need it.
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Are your insecurities holding you back? Contact us today to see how working with a therapist or trying group therapy can help you break free.