For as long as I can remember, I’ve battled with self-doubt. Whether it was starting a new job, launching a creative project, or even speaking up in a group, there was always that little voice in my head whispering, Are you sure you’re good enough for this?

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was dealing with imposter syndrome, the nagging feeling that I wasn’t as capable as people thought I was and that, at any moment, I’d be “found out.” No matter how much I achieved, my inner critic always had a way of making me feel like it wasn’t enough.

But over time, I’ve learned how to quiet that voice, challenge those doubts, and build real confidence. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, here are the strategies that have helped me break free from it, and they can help you too.

Recognizing the Inner Critic

The first step in overcoming self-doubt is identifying the voice of your inner critic. It often shows up in thoughts like:

• I’m not smart/talented/experienced enough.
• I just got lucky—I don’t really deserve this success.
• What if people realize I have no idea what I’m doing?
• Other people are better at this than I am.

I used to believe these thoughts were facts. But they weren’t, they were just fears masquerading as truth.

One of the biggest turning points for me was realizing that self-doubt is normal. Even the most successful, confident people experience it. The difference is that they don’t let it stop them.

Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubt

1. Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Instead of letting my inner critic run the show, I started challenging it. Every time I caught myself thinking, I’m not good enough, I asked myself:

• Would I say this to a friend?
• What’s the actual evidence for and against this thought?
• Is there a more positive or neutral way to reframe it?

For example, instead of thinking I’m not good enough to apply for this job, I’d tell myself, I have valuable skills and experience, and I’m willing to learn and grow. This shift helped me take action instead of letting doubt hold me back.

2. Take Small, Courageous Actions

Confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with, it’s built through action. The more you step outside your comfort zone, the more your self-doubt starts to shrink.

I used to avoid speaking up in meetings because I feared saying something “wrong.” But I challenged myself to start small, offering one idea per meeting. The more I did it, the easier it became. Now, I speak up without overthinking it.

Ask yourself: What’s one small step you can take today toward what you want, despite your doubts?

3. Keep a “Wins” Journal

When you struggle with self-doubt, it’s easy to forget your accomplishments. Keeping a “wins” journal changed everything for me. Every time I did something I was proud of, big or small, I wrote it down.

• Finished a tough project? Write it down.
• Got positive feedback from a mentor? Write it down.
• Took a risk, even if it didn’t go perfectly? Write it down.

Looking back on my list reminded me that I was capable, even when my inner critic tried to convince me otherwise.

4. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Self-doubt grows in isolation. I noticed that when I spent time around supportive, uplifting people, my confidence grew. When I surrounded myself with negative or overly critical voices, my self-doubt deepened.

I made it a point to seek out friends, mentors, and colleagues who believed in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. If you’re feeling doubtful, reach out to someone who can offer encouragement. Sometimes, we need to borrow confidence from others until we build our own.

5. Accept That Perfection Isn’t the Goal

One of my biggest struggles was the belief that I had to be perfect to be confident. But perfection is a myth, and chasing it only feeds self-doubt.

I started reminding myself:

• Done is better than perfect.
• Mistakes are part of growth.
• Every expert was once a beginner.

When I let go of perfection, I felt free to take risks, try new things, and embrace the learning process.

You Can Do It!

Overcoming self-doubt isn’t about never hearing your inner critic again, it’s about not letting it control you. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, step by step, by taking action despite your fears.

If you’re struggling with self-doubt, remember: You are more capable than you think. You have already overcome challenges, learned, and grown in ways you probably don’t even give yourself credit for.

And most importantly-you belong in every space you step into.

Now, I’d love to hear from you-how do you deal with self-doubt?

Let’s talk in the comments. 💛