Overthinking can prevent you from fully processing your emotions. (Image: Shutterstock)
A common example of these doubts is ignoring that feeling that tells you that something is not right.
Do you often find yourself in people-pleasing situations? You might ignore your own feelings to make others happy. Klara, influencer and educator, helps people recover from this habit. She teaches on how to rebuild self-confidence. Distrust in ourselves starts small but grows. “Distrust in ourselves can manifest itself in subtle but impactful ways. It often begins when we ignore our instincts, dismiss our needs, question our reactions, and invalidate our emotions,” she writes.
In her latest Instagram post, Klara shared examples and explains how distrusting ourselves can have subtle but significant effects on our lives.
According to his post, a common example of this doubt is ignoring that gut feeling that tells you something isn't right. Our instincts are powerful signals that often guide us to make the best decisions for our well-being. However, when we habitually ignore these instincts, we begin to undermine our own ability to judge what is best for us. For example, you may have had a feeling that a particular job or relationship wasn't right for you, but you dismissed it, perhaps due to external pressures.
Over time, ignoring these instincts can lead to a pattern where you no longer trust your instincts, causing anxiety and uncertainty when making decisions.
Another example is minimizing your needs because you believe they are not as important as others. This behavior arises from the desire to please or avoid conflict. You may constantly put the needs of others before your own.
For example, if a friend or family member needs help, you can drop everything to help them, even if it means neglecting your own health or responsibilities. However, constantly minimizing your needs can lead to exhaustion and resentment as you constantly deprive yourself of the care and attention you deserve.
Thinking too much about your natural reactions to situations is how self-distrust can manifest. You may wonder if your feelings are appropriate or justified. For example, if you feel hurt or disappointed by someone's actions, you may immediately begin to doubt your reaction. You start to think if you are being too sensitive or overreacting. This overthinking can prevent you from fully processing your emotions.
Another important sign, according to Klara's post, is to dismiss praise or achievements. You start to believe that you don't deserve them, which is another common behavior associated with self-doubt. When someone praises your work or recognizes your achievements, you may shrug off their words, thinking that they are simply being polite or that you haven't really earned the praise. This can prevent you from fully appreciating your own efforts and successes.
Constantly asking others what you should think or feel about certain things is another manifestation of insecurity. Instead of relying on your own judgment, you may frequently seek the opinions and validation of others. This can be seen in scenarios where you ask friends or family for their opinion on decisions that you are perfectly capable of making for yourself. Over time, this reliance on external validation can erode confidence in your own ability to make sound judgments.
Each of these behaviors reinforces the belief that you cannot trust yourself. But here's the encouraging part: you can start to rebuild that trust. Through specific exercises and reflective practices, you can learn to trust your instincts, honor your emotions, and meet your needs with confidence.
