Overcoming Self-Doubt: 6 Practical Steps To Build Confidence And Trust Your Journey

As much as many of us may not want to admit it, self-doubt is something we all experience. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, starting a new business, or just trying to navigate day-to-day life, it’s that small voice that questions your worth, your abilities, and your decisions—and often at the most inopportune times. I’ve struggled with it for most of my life. It’s shown up in my work, in school, and even in my personal growth. But self-doubt doesn’t have to hold us back. In fact, learning to face it head-on is where we begin to really reclaim our power.

I’m speaking from experience. In 2022, when I took on my first director role, self-doubt was practically my personal assistant. Despite being qualified, I felt like a fraud, questioning my place almost every other day. Then in 2023, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life—I left digital media after 15 years and launched my wellness practice. Once again, that familiar feeling of doubt crept in. Could I really build something from scratch? Could I succeed in an industry I was still figuring out? Would people listen to me, trust me, or even believe in what I had to offer?

Self-doubt isn’t just about the fears we carry within ourselves; it’s also shaped by the world around us. For me, as a new wellness practitioner, there were moments when I felt like I didn’t belong—like my voice was being policed or ignored. I wrote about this in a recent Substack newsletter, sharing how I often felt like I was facing obstacles as a Black and queer practitioner that others, especially those who didn’t look like me, weren’t. This sense of “otherness” created the perfect breeding ground for imposter syndrome. Despite being more than qualified to teach, I constantly questioned whether I truly belonged in spaces that weren’t designed with people like me in mind.

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And then there’s the exhaustion of always being hyper-aware of how I speak, how I present myself, and how I’m perceived. It’s real, and it’s something I think many Black and brown practitioners face but rarely talk about. The emotional and spiritual labor of being “the only one” in predominantly white spaces takes its toll. But all of these challenges have also been my teachers, pushing me to grow, confront my doubts, and step into the fullness of who I am—regardless of what the world tells me.

The thing is, self-doubt is a part of the human experience. It doesn’t go away just because we reach a certain milestone or achieve success. Instead, we learn to manage it, confront it, and ultimately, use it as a tool for growth. Here are some of the things I’ve learned along the way that have helped me move through self-doubt and toward a place of trust in myself and my journey.

1. Acknowledge Your Doubts, But Don’t Stay for Tea

Shout out to a former therapist for this one. The first step to overcoming self-doubt is simply acknowledging it. It’s so easy to ignore or push those feelings aside, but they only get louder when we do that. So when doubt creeps in, I take a moment to sit with it. What’s really at the root of these feelings? Is it fear of failure, fear of judgment, or something else? By naming it, I take away its power over me. And then, I challenge it. Is this doubt rooted in truth, or is it just a story I’ve been telling myself? Once I can separate the truth from the fear, I can leave it where it’s at and start moving forward with more clarity—no need to sit and kiki with it.

2. Let Go of Perfection and Embrace Progress

Self-doubt often arises from a fear of not being perfect and, whew, have I been there. I’ve spent so many years trying to get everything “just right,” only to end up feeling stuck and overwhelmed. But perfection isn’t the goal; progress is. I’ve had to learn to celebrate the small wins—the things I get right, the lessons I learn from my mistakes, and the fact that I’m showing up for myself every single day. Perfection is a moving target, but progress? That’s something I can measure, and it’s something that builds my confidence every time I take a step forward.

3. Find Your People

One of the best ways to combat self-doubt is to surround yourself with people who see you for who you truly are and who believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself. Whether it’s friends, mentors, or fellow practitioners, a supportive community is essential. For me, connecting with other Black and brown wellness practitioners has been incredibly affirming. These are the people who remind me that I’m not alone, that my voice matters, and that my work is needed. They help me see myself beyond the lens of doubt and encourage me to keep going.

4. Reconnect with Your “Why”

When self-doubt hits, it can feel like everything is up in the air. That’s when I remind myself of my “why”—the deeper reason I’m doing this work in the first place. For me, it’s about helping people reconnect with their own wisdom and power through holistic wellness. Whether it’s teaching meditation or guiding someone on their Ayurvedic journey, I know that I’m here to help people reclaim what’s been lost and forgotten. Reconnecting with this purpose helps me stay grounded when self-doubt wants to take over.

5. See Failures as Lessons, Not Setbacks

I used to fear failure, but over time, I’ve learned to see it differently. Every “failure” is actually an opportunity to learn and grow. When I left my digital media career to start my wellness practice, I knew there would be bumps along the way. And there were—plenty of them. But each mistake has taught me something invaluable. Whether it’s about business, myself, or how I show up in the world, these lessons have shaped me into a stronger, more resilient person. Embracing failure has been one of the most freeing things I’ve done for my confidence, even when it feels easier to give up.

6. Celebrate the Wins

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate yourself, love! It’s so easy to overlook our accomplishments, especially when we’re focused on what’s next or what’s not perfect. But every step forward is worth celebrating. Every project completed, every new student, every moment of growth—these are all milestones that show you’re on the right path. So take the time to acknowledge your wins, big and small, because they’re proof that you’re moving in the right direction.

I’ll Leave You with This

Self-doubt is something that will always show up in our lives, but it doesn’t have to control us. By acknowledging it, reframing our thinking, finding support, and staying true to our purpose, we can build the confidence and trust we need to keep moving forward on our journey. It’s not about getting rid of doubt entirely—it’s about learning to trust ourselves in spite of it. And when we do, we open up a world of possibility. So next time you’re faced with self-doubt, remember:

You are enough. You’ve got this. Your journey is yours and no one else’s. Keep going.

Steph R. Long is a Chopra-certified Ayurvedic health educator, meditation instructor, and well-being coach. She’s also the founder of holistic wellness and coaching practice SRL Well-Being and the former Deputy Director of Enterprise for Refinery29 Unbothered, where she oversaw health, wellness, and spirituality content. For more wellness insights, follow her on Instagram and YouTube, and subscribe to her podcast.

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Overcoming Self-Doubt: 6 Practical Steps To Build Confidence And Trust Your Journey  was originally published on elev8.com