Things To Remember When You Don't Feel Good Enough

Sometimes life can go like this: One day, you're on top of the world, and another day, you feel a rush of insecurities take over you. Either way, not feeling good enough is a common occurrence that can happen to anyone, at any time. The last thing you want to do is succumb to those feelings, though — because you are, and will always be, more than good enough. You just have to open your eyes, gain a little perspective, and see the positive aspects of your personal journey.

I can't tell you how many times I have felt like I wasn't good enough in one way or another. The insecurity usually feels like a dark cloud that hovers over me, and it can be really hard to shake it off. But insecurities are a part of life. Even though they can be little fleeting moments of self-doubt, there are times when they seem like they just won't go away. However, in the past few years, I've figured out a few ways to overcome this dreadful feeling. There are little reminders that have pushed me through the darkness, even when it feels impossible to do so. It may be easier said than done, but if you have been feeling down lately, you can feel good about yourself sooner than you realized with a lot of happy thoughts and a little push in the right direction.

1. Be Kind To Yourself

You should be just as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend. It might be hard to realize at first, but you should be your own best friend. Remember: You're doing the best that you can. According to Psychologies, Anna Pinkerton, therapist, coach, and author of How To Smile Again: Recovery For Those In Public Life But In Private Pain, said you should start creating a relationship with yourself. Begin slowly by talking more gently to yourself, being open with your emotions, and acknowledging how you're feeling. By taking these baby steps, you can be strong without the affirmation of others.

2. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

There's no reason to compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own journey, and you don't need to live in anyone else's shadow. According to Forbes, practice celebrating who you are as an individual and be proud of everything you have accomplished. The minute you start to focus on your goals and your future, you will probably stop paying attention to what everyone else is doing, because you'll be too busy working on yourself to even realize.

3. Stop Trying To Be Perfect

Perfectionism is a disease in itself. Perfection is something that can never be achieved, but we always try to reach for it. According to CNN, perfectionism is actually preventing us from doing our best. It's an unhealthy way to look at life and ourselves. It's important to always know that you, as a person, are enough. You always want to strive to be your best, but don't let your imperfections get in the way of your dreams. If you're afraid to fail and be yourself because of how others will view you, then you're not living to your true potential. Instead, keep telling yourself that you're a work in progress and you're looking forward to the future — even if that involves failure.

4. You're Exactly Where You Need To Be

While you might wish you could be a multi-millionaire, realistically, you're exactly where you need to be. I've always had a hard time coming to terms with this one. I have seen people younger than me with higher positions than I have, and while I used to panic about where I was in life for my age, I've realized that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, because my life is destined for something else. Once you start to realize that everyone has their own path to greatness, then you can come to terms with your own journey while still celebrating others.

5. Don't Trust What Your Mind Is Telling You

It can be really tough to handle life when you're not talking positively to yourself. Instead, try to always speak to yourself like if you were talking to a loved one. According to PsychCentral, Rosie Molinary, an author and educator who empowers women, said, “Start paying careful attention to what you say and how you say it and take the time to always reframe what you say into something more positive, supportive, and true.” Try to switch your negative thoughts into positive affirmations. Sometimes our biggest obstacles are the battles we have within ourselves. And by supporting yourself, you can grow into the confident person you know you always wanted to be.

6. Failing Is Part Of The Journey

Always remember that failing is part of the journey. If you're afraid to fail, then you are never going to succeed. According to LifeHack, you'll learn so much more from failing than from succeeding. Instead, view failure as constructive criticism. It can help you grow in more ways than you could ever imagine. No matter how perfect you want to be, there's always room for improvement. And when you do succeed, you can appreciate it much more, because you have already experienced failure.

While it's very common to have those moments of self-doubt, there are ways to overcome your securities. Not feeling good enough should only be a brief moment in time. Remember that everyone's journey will be different and yours is nothing to be ashamed of.

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