These feelings of inadequacy can impact our mental health, prevent us from pursuing our goals, and affect our relationships.
Most people have difficulties with confidence from time to time.
Even the most self-assured individuals can experience periods where they have a predominantly negative self-image.
However, there are ways we can learn to value ourselves more highly and improve our self-esteem to avoid these effects and no longer feel inadequate.
How to overcome feelings of inadequacy
If you’re feeling as though you’re not good enough, there are several ways you can learn to value yourself more highly and develop a healthy sense of self-confidence.
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Process emotions related to childhood experiences
Our early experiences often play a pivotal role in the development of self-esteem and a positive self-image.
If you experienced bullying, excessive criticism, neglect, or other forms of adversity as a child, this past could contribute to you thinking you’re not good enough as an adult.
In the childhood development phase, we constantly observe people and absorb information, and we can form beliefs about ourselves based on these experiences that persist into adulthood.
For example, if you had overly defensive parents, you may have a negative view of your self-sufficiency.
Recognizing how your upbringing may continue to affect your confidence in your abilities may help you cope with feeling inadequate.
Spend time with supportive people
Research suggests that social support plays a critical role in our mental health.
Surrounding yourself with friends and family members who positively influence your life can help you develop confidence and avoid devaluing yourself.
How do you feel when you are around people you regularly spend time with?
Do these people around you uplift and encourage you, or are they often negative and critical?
Ongoing exposure to negative influences can take a toll on your self-esteem.
For example, being friends with someone who frequently tries to “one-up” you when you discuss your achievements may lead you to feel like you are not good enough.
Often, they are simply projecting their own feelings of inadequacy onto you, but these interactions can still lead you to question your abilities or accomplishments.
If the people around you cause you to view yourself unfavorably, you may consider talking to them about how they make you feel or distancing yourself from them in a respectful way.
Try to identify the relationships in which encouragement and positivity are primary characteristics.
You can develop a strong support network by nurturing relationships with uplifting friends, family members, mentors, or coworkers.
A mental health professional can also be a source of inspiration and guidance.