One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.

• Simone de Beauvoir

Today, I am sharing with you a part of my journey shaped by fear, lack of confidence, and self-doubt. I believe that now is the perfect time for me to let go of the feelings I have been holding inside for a very long time. Would you like me to share these experiences with you? I believe that by sharing our personal experience, even if it is extremely difficult, I might be able to relieve some of my emotional burden and perhaps even help others who might be experiencing something similar. Do you not think?

I grew up in a middle-class family, and there was a big role of my parents in my journey. My parents played a significant part in my journey while I was growing up in a middle-class home. They put a lot of effort and worked extremely hard to make sure I had everything I needed, including clothing and education. They also supported me in every field of my life and never hesitated to encourage me to pursue my dreams. I have never faced any issues from my family’s side.

Demons that are lurking behind the shadows

But my biggest obstacle was my internal doubt, lack of confidence, and fear that prevented me from moving forward, even though there was nothing outside that could stop me from pursuing my dreams. I felt like there was a voice inside of me that kept me back and said, “You can’t do it.” Is it just me who faces these doubts and fears, even with such a supportive family?

This inner struggle made me feel so alone and unsatisfied with myself as I watched chances slip by. The worst thing was that I have realized that these obstacles are the result of my own thoughts rather than any external barrier. Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and fear that keeps you from achieving your goals? Every time I think about my career and my achievements, the intense terror of fear that I am not able to do it grips me, and it hurts me deeply. I sincerely want to be out of my mental prison and possess the courage to pursue my dreams fearlessly. Do you struggle with overthinking? The most important thing that gets affected was my health. Overthinking affected my mental as well as physical health, as I was not able to make even a little decision on my own.

Moon-phases of my life

This fear and self-doubt have impacted every phase of my life; it has affected my schooling, my college years, and even my professional career. I was eager to take part in various events and activities, but my shyness and self-doubt kept me from even attending a single function. Throughout my whole time at school, I never once stepped onto the stage. I still feel bad about those passed-up chances. My inability to get over my anxiety in school continued throughout college, where I struggled to present even the basic presentations and avoided going to events. My college experience felt like a series of missed chances due to the shyness and self-doubt that I had in school. How have shyness and self-doubt influenced your personal and professional growth?

My professional life gets more influenced by these worries, fears, lack of confidence, and self-doubt. For me, interacting with my team lead and conveying my ideas and opinions was a very big challenge. I always have this feeling that I could contribute so much, but there was something inside of me that kept me from doing so, which makes me appear less capable than I really am. This constant conflict is annoying me, and I am worried about my chances of getting promoted or taking on a leadership role. It hurt me most, knowing I have skill but I just can’t seem to show it off.

Self-doubt was more than a word

Understanding how our thoughts and experiences impact what we believe about ourselves might help us to overcome self-doubt and fear. We may challenge negative thoughts and develop resilience by engaging in practices like changing our thinking patterns and being in the moment. Research indicates that having good coping mechanisms and supportive connections are essential. These actions not only help us better control our emotions, but they also prime our brains to react favorably to unfamiliar circumstances. Stepping outside our comfort zones and facing our fears may progressively bolster our self-assurance and provide pathways to individual development and self-determination.

I fight an internal battle against my fears, insecurities, and lack of confidence daily. I know it will take time and effort to overcome them, but I am determined to end this cycle. I have confidence in my ability to push aside my fears and seize the opportunities that come my way. Will you help me in breaking this cycle of fear and self-doubt? Through overcoming these challenges, I have come to realize that a lot of people deal with fear and self-doubt in comparable ways. It is a journey where we recognize our own obstacles and deliberately work to go beyond them. I believe that realizing these challenges are temporary and ensuring that these offer chances for development and self-discovery is the first step toward overcoming them. Through self-care, goal-setting, and getting help from family and experts, we may progressively increase our resilience and self-assurance.

One of my motives for sharing my story is to make a connection with people who are facing the same issues. I have the idea that admitting our own fears and self-doubts is very challenging but it is the crucial step in making a change. I believe everyone have the capacity to reframe their thoughts and become a more confident and self-assured version of themselves. Remember, You are not traveling alone on this journey, there are many others facing similar problems. We may able to overcome this by supporting one another and celebrating even the smallest victory. Together, let’s take each step on this route to realize our potential. How will you go about starting your journey of self-improvement and self-discovery today?

With bravery as my compass, I am resolved to silence the voice of doubt and rewrite my story, forging a route where fear becomes fire for my aspirations.