Leaving Behind Your Fears and Insecurities
Fears and insecurities are a part of our lives. If we are living, it is but natural to experience these emotions. These could be more in someone and less in someone else but there is no escape. At times these consume us so much that we always wonder how to get rid of them. In simple words, insecurity means lacking confidence in something. We do not feel secure in who we are and how we will be perceived or interpreted by someone else. This generates fear. When we compare ourselves to others and feel worthless, we give way to insecurities. Insecurities are the causes behind feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty about oneself. One can experience insecurity regarding any aspect of life, whether that’s physical appearance, relationships, financial stability, or professional skills. As a mindset coach in Canada, I am frequently asked if these can be overcome.
Well, insecurity can become a vicious circle. If you feel bad about how you look or doubt your value, you may shy away from social situations or experiences that would test your abilities. And in doing so, you self-sabotage by limiting your potential for success and connection. When you have a moment of low self-esteem, you can become hyper-critical of yourself. Even though you’re talented and well-loved, your negative self-talk tells you otherwise.
How does insecurity and fear affect us?
Insecurity and fear can hamper our lives in more than one way. This negative thought snowballs into feeling of self doubt, negative self-talk, feeling of inadequacy and incapability. Some other ways it can affect us are:
- Poor decision-making and inability to make timely decisions
2. Excessive self doubt talks and criticism
3. Low self-esteem leading to self-criticism and low self-worth
4. Trying to be what we are not leading to the point of dissatisfaction
5. Taking everything and everybody as a challenge and obstacle
6. Difficulty in trusting others and apprehension to form new bonds
7. Ineffective communication behaviour
8. High anxiety and tension levels
9. How to deal with insecurity and fear?
I quote a very famous life coach in Canada, “We don’t have to leave our fears and insecurities because they don’t really exist. We keep creating them unconsciously. If we don’t create them, they don’t really exist. So, then why do we create them and how should we stop creating them.”
As a best life coach in Canada, I can say that with right mindset and strategies you can get past these imaginary shackles that stop you from achieving what you desire.
Identify your fears and insecurities. What are you afraid of? What makes you feel insecure? Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can start to address it.
Challenge your negative thoughts. The best way to deal with it is to ask if this thought has real foundation, if it is true? Is there any evidence to support it? If not, challenge it and replace it with a more positive thought.
Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The best way to succeed in life is to know your own strengths and remind yourself of them often.
Set realistic goals. Don’t try to change everything too soon. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.
Surround yourself with positive people. Positivity rubs off on you. If you surround yourself with positive people, you will do lot of good for your self-esteem will. Make sure these people support you and believe in you.
Seek professional help, if needed. Like I said, it is natural to experience these feelings once in a while. But if you feel that this feeling is getting in your way to discover yourself, to achieve growth in your personal and professional life, then don’t be afraid to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you coping skills and help you develop a more positive self-image.
So, next time you have this feeling, firstly, know that you are not alone and then try to get to the root cause of it. With time, effort, and focused action, you will learn to overcome your insecurities and reach your full potential.