“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.” John Allen Paulos

Insecurity is a human experience that transcends who you are or what your status is. Nearly everyone is insecure about something, and it’s profoundly social in nature. Some common insecurities are appearance, weight, career success, feeling like you’re “not good enough”, intelligence, social acceptance, and relationships—to name a few. Insecurities are hard to carry, and it’s what we do with them that matters the most.

Ignored or suppressed insecurities can transition to envy, defensiveness, or people-pleasing, or manifest into mental health or physical problems. As a side note: you can learn a lot about someone’s insecurities just by observing how they treat themselves and others. It is an invaluable skill to see the words and behaviors of other people as a DIRECT reflection of themselves—not you. It’s absolutely freeing and eye-opening. When faced, insecurities can help you become stronger and open space for self-growth to occur. The goal isn’t to eliminate your insecurities because you will never fully achieve this. Instead, we want to accept our insecurities and live a fulfilling, values-based life despite them.

Identify insecurities: Take some time to self-reflect on the things that make you feel less than. As mentioned above, it’s completely okay and normal to have insecurities. Get to know them and get to know them well.

Let go of perfection: It’s unrealistic for people to feel secure in every aspect of themselves and their lives. Quit trying to be something that’s just not humanly possible.

Practice self-compassion: Remind yourself that it’s okay to have insecurities. “I’m human.” “I accept that being in the learning zone makes me feel vulnerable and that’s okay.” Embrace your insecurities, they give you character.

Focus on your strengths: Insecurities alone don’t define you, it’s what you do or don’t do despite them that does! Humans are much more complex than being made up of just one thing.

Do it anyway: Someone can have the thought that they are not good enough to do something but take that thought and go do the thing anyway. Don’t let your insecurities dictate what you do or don’t do in life. If there is something you really want for yourself, try it and see what happens. Regardless of the outcome, you didn’t let them win.

Seek professional help: If your insecurities are impairing daily functioning and trigger anxiety or depression, seeking counseling is an option. With help, you can learn how to explore, manage, and develop tools for these triggers with a trained professional.

We all feel “less than” and insecure over things about ourselves or our lives. Take your insecurities with you while achieving great things in your life. If someone judges you for your insecurities, what do you think it says about them? EVERYTHING! Once you are able to observe your own insecurities without judgment, it releases your vulnerability for others to exploit it.

What insecurities are you going to take with you on your way to achieving great things in life? I’m taking them all, who’s with me?! 😊