Self Doubt is a constant presence !! Self doubt as a life long companion !!

“knowing others is wisdom and Knowing self is enlightenment”

Self doubt is such a topic that by the end of discussing this word, you will come out more doubtful than when you had started ! 😊  There is a huge difference between doubt and self doubt. Doubt is a big obstacle in your mind that doesn’t allow you to do things, self doubt is the string that allows kite to fly higher.  

 

I feel “doubt” needs to be used properly rather than let yourself be used by it. Like everything else in life, if it is present in balanced way then it is helpful. The problem is to find YOUR balance .. what works for you. Doubt should be an aid for you to do something better it should be present like the constant voice in you’re your head goading you to improve everyday. 

The presence of self doubt is a good thing , since it is signifies a certain amount of self awareness while you are doing something. When this same doubt stops you from doing something or acting and does so consistently then we need to be aware of the negative aspect of doubt

 

Self Doubt should be used in conjunction with doing and not as a substitute for not doing. In other words we should use doubt only when we are about to do doing something. It should not be used as an excuse for not doing. This is what it means to master self doubt. As long as it’s a tool it works for you but when you cant control it, when self doubt engulfs you and stops you from doing anyting then you are letting your doubts rule you. It is easier said than done !

Personally, self doubt has been a constant companion I my life. Earlier, I did not have any control on my self doubt but as I have grown older I have become better at managing it.  

I feel these are the relationship that Self doubt has

Sibling – “Self awareness”. Self aware ness allows you to harness self doubt for geater good. It is then used an impetus to do more rather than a impediments to do less. Self awareness also allows yout moderate self doubt to an extent that it becomes a tool in your life

   

Parents – “Contemplation”. Both Self awareness and self doubt are a by-product of contemplation. It’s a contemplative mind which allows us to use self awareness and self doubt to respond to any situation in our life. Without introspection and contemplation we will be forever reacting with any thought. Contemplation and introspection is about growth, action and plans. It enables us to assess patterns and activities in our daily life that allows us to see how our own actions are creating the reality around us

Friend – “Meditation”. Meditation is that friend of self doubt that allows you to increase effectiveness of your deeds. There are many ways to meditate. The one that works best with me is when I have exercised my body to sit in a quiet place and meditate.

Enemy at the gate– “Certainty”.Once something becomes certain in your mind there is no place for Self Doubt. Just like extreme self doubt is bad and doesn't let you explore. Certainty is equally bad or even worse because it is most likely to fail if not preceded by self doubt or contemplation.  

Enemy inside the house – “Rumination”. Rumination is so tricky and unhealthy because it looks and feels like contemplation but it is very far from it. The Inner voice/inner critic can take over the contemplation start taking you to areas which are outside of your influence or take you so far away from the topic at hand that it isn't productive at all.   

I have always had self doubt as a constant companion in my life. I am never fully certain of anything that I do... even when I am fairly certain of a course of action I still wonder if I have thought through enough or not  Earlier in life I used to think that this a sign of low self confidence and with passing of time and with more experience I will not have self doubt. But now I feel self doubt allows me to excel and there is no better tool to keep you on a leash. When in too much self doubt, I wake up very early in the morning but stay in the bed and think about my self doubt (basically I put an alarm at 4 am but continue to be half asleep after I wake up.. confusing no? 😊 ). It allows me to think without using too much logic/conscious thinking and sometimes the clarity I get from it is beyond words. I would like to do it everyday where I wake up at 4 but leave the bed at 5. Unfortunately, I can’t do it everyday.

There are some physical symptoms of doubt/ uncontrolled Self doubt. They are acidity, Pain in muscles, headache, unsteady limbs and shallow unsteady breathing. When you get them pls stop thinking and go to sleep or start meditation. You have to be self aware of the negative effect of this doubt. Start meditation and contemplation. A contemplative mind is a thing of joy.