Taking Out the Trash: Self Doubt

Belief in oneself is incredibly infectious. It generates momentum, the collective force of which far outweighs any kernel of self-doubt that may creep in.

~Aimee Mullins

And here we are. The final trash bag (for now) sits at the door.

I'm sure most of us question whether or not we are good enough. Whether or not we're worthy. Whether or not our decisions are good ones. Whether or not we do the right thing and are on the right path. For some of us, these thoughts are few and far between. For others, they are a daily occurrence--maybe even hourly. I fall into the latter category. I doubt everything about myself always. Am I Christian enough? Am I Black enough? Am I feminine enough? Am I smart enough? Am I beautiful enough? The list goes on and on and on and on.

These doubts made me sometimes turn to the wrong solutions on a desperate search for confirmation and approval. But true confidence didn't come until I sought it through creativity. Whatever I thought I couldn't adequately express through speech, I wrote down. Whatever I didn't have the words for, I captured through photography or painting. Whenever I felt as though I was not beautiful, I watched the camera prove me wrong.

The problem with self-doubt is that there's always an opportunity for it to reign again. As new situations and challenges come up, you have to make choices--firm choices that you believe in. But, what if you're not sure what to do? What if you're not sure your firm choice was the right choice?

It's tough.

It requires great discipline to constantly and consistently believe in yourself. But, it's a necessary discipline.

Miss a post in the Taking Out the Trash series? Click here to read past posts.

Love and light,

Reina M