Learning how to overcome fear and insecurity – whether external, internal, or subconscious – can sound intimidating, but I’ve found a few mindset shifts that empower you to stop being scared and create change within your life. Fear and insecurity are common emotional states that can significantly impact our lives. They can prevent us from a lot of opportunities and from achieving our goals. However, fear and insecurity are not permanent states, and it is possible to overcome them. This post will focus on tackling subconscious fears, no matter what fears you’re currently working through, and I hope that you find some of the support you’re seeking.
Do not compare yourself
One of the biggest reasons people struggle with insecurity is because we constantly compare ourselves to others. Nowadays, this comparison is even bigger because of social media. It’s easy to forget that others’ social media isn’t a true representation of their lives. There will always be someone else who appears smarter, better looking, or more successful. If you base your worth on how you measure up to others, you will always be left feeling insufficient and discontented. You have your own strengths, your own beauty, ideas, and dreams.
We all have our own strengths
Don’t dwell on your weaknesses; start to focus on your strengths. What are you good at? What do you love?
Everyone has strengths. It doesn’t matter what it is, everyone is good at something. When you learn to accept yourself as you are, life begins to change drastically. You find you are exactly who you were meant to be and you don’t have to change yourself to have a fulfilling life.
Positive self-talk
You aren’t going to become confident and overcome your fears and insecurities if you are continually telling yourself you are ugly, incompetent, not worthy, or that you can’t do anything. Replace negative beliefs with positive ones. You can read this post all about “Reframing negative thought patterns”.
Ditch the comfort zone
It’s so important to challenge yourself and get outside of your comfort zone. Just take action, the best way to get rid of your fear is to just go headfirst into it, don’t think about anything, and just take that bold step towards your goals/dream. And if you fail along the way then it is part of the process, at least you will learn from it instead of regretting it in the future.
Practice mindfulness
Focusing on the present moment can help you feel more in control and less anxious about the future.
Professional help
It is important to note that everyone experiences fear and insecurity differently and what works for one person might not work for another. Seeking professional help if needed, can be helpful in managing these emotions.
Meditate
Meditation is a great tool that you can use to overcome fear. There are many types of meditation out there. The simplest one is just to focus on slow, deep breaths inward into the belly and expel outward. It’s a great way to train your mind to return to the present moment.
Create a success list
Write down all the events and circumstances you have successfully handled in the past. Continue to record events that you achieve. Read this list whenever you start doubting yourself.
This practice will provide your mind with the evidence that you can take action, handle circumstances, and in turn, will increase your confidence.
Overcoming fear and insecurity can be a challenging process, but it is possible with the right mindset. Remember, it’s natural to feel insecure or fearful at times, and it’s okay to not have all the answers or know what the future holds. But it’s not okay when these emotions prevent us from living the life of our dreams.