A negative self-image can be a barrier to accessing opportunities and thriving in your health and wellness. That is why Moorelands wants to help you say no to self-doubts and learn how to overcome a negative self-image.
WHAT IS SELF-DOUBT?
Having self-doubt and a negative self-image can be a mental habit that contorts your perception of your true self. It is experienced through uncertainty, feeling incapable, and lacking confidence, to name a few.
Everyone wrestles with these perceptions at some point, including confident and successful people like Maya Angelou, American poet and civil rights activist.
“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.”1
Maya Angelou
While experiencing self-doubt every now and again is normal, persistent negativity and doubt can negatively impact your life. It may develop into anxiety, lack of motivation and even difficulty with both large and small everyday decisions. Because this self-doubt exists in our minds, we have to mentally say no to self-doubt in order to overcome a negative self-image.
1: SELF-COMPASSION OVERCOMES NEGATIVITY
To overcome a negative self-image, you have to start from the inside and work your way out. A great place to start is self-compassion!
Dr. Kristin Neff from the University of Texas defines “self-compassion” as turning what we feel towards others, on ourselves. This means:
- Being aware of our suffering
- Showing yourself understanding and kindness when you identify self-doubt
- Recognize that your self-doubt and suffering is a shared experience you have with everyone—you are not alone!
- Changing your perspective: know that this is a personal and human experience
This is not easy, but the more you are compassionate with yourself, the closer you are to overcoming a negative self-image.
2: IDENTIFY WHERE SELF-DOUBT COMES FROM
Finding the root of your self-doubt can help unveil the distorted reality that negativity can cause. Some common factors are: Fear that you will fail, past experience of failure, and a toxic environment (where others have and/or are putting you down).
3: WHAT MAKES YOU STRONG?
To overcome self-doubt and a negative self-image, you have to confront it with the truth. When a negative thought or self-doubt pops in your head, fight back! Think about a strength you have and what you can do, what you could do and simply who you are.
This process is similar to self-affirmation, which research has found to affect the reward system in our brain, increasing positivity.
4: NO SELF-DOUBTS IN COMMUNITY
In community, there is accountability, a safe place to grow, and opportunity to overcome a negative self-image with a support system. When you are surrounding by people you trust, you can be vulnerable with them about your thoughts and be open to feedback so you can continue to overcome the obstacles in your mind.
The Community Code is one way Moorelands ensures our participants, staff and programs are growing into positivity and away from self-doubt. We believe that we achieve more when we work together and leadership begins as a community.
OVERCOMING A NEGATIVE SELF-IMAGE IS A JOURNEY.
While you are on this journey with yourself and those you love to overcome a negative self-image, remember to be kind to yourself through the ups and downs. Growing as a positive leader is not always linear. Even so, we believe that you can do it!
“Confidence comes from hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication.”
Robert Staubach
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