One of my earliest struggles in life was learning how to believe in myself and specifically, believe in myself that I could be happy one day. When I was 17, all I wanted was freedom. Sure, freedom from parents, but really, freedom from all the pain, suffering, anger and negativity I was carrying inside of me. I needed to believe in myself that there was still hope to life, a possibility of experiencing true happiness, have a successful life and just simply liberated. But initially such beliefs in myself that I could attain happiness and success were far from me. One, I didn’t even know I didn’t believe in myself. Two, I didn’t know how. Three, I didn’t even believe in myself enough that I could believe in myself.

I doubted myself a lot. I had absolutely no trust in myself. Every action I did, I always second guessed myself – did I do the right thing or the wrong thing? Raised Catholic, I constantly felt guilty, even for doing good things, I would ask myself “did I do enough?” I relied heavily on others’ approval, attention, validation and praise. I hardly was ever proud of myself, I didn’t love myself at all (had no idea what THAT even meant), and I always put others first. I’d rather suffer in order for someone else to be happy.

Beginning to Believe in Yourself

All in all. I was living a darkness, depression, self-pity and woes. I wanted a way out, just didn’t believe it was possible. Until my “Deeper Thinking Self” started to give me this “feeling” of, you just have to find the answer and you will be free.

What was this answer that was supposed to help me, liberate me. It’s nothing I could read. It’s nothing that I could see. It was something that had to come from inside of me. I didn’t know what, but it was a realization that I needed. Eventually I realized, the answer was to love myself. However, in order to love myself, it was then I realized I needed to believe in myself first.

I thought it was cheesy and weird to praise yourself, “Good job, self. See be proud of yourself.” WEIRD. Who thinks like that? “That was nice of you, self, you are so kind and giving.” EVEN WEIRDER Deep Thinking Self. “I am strong, I am confident, I am loving.” Okay Deep Thinking Self, it’s gone too far, this positive nice stuff believing in yourself thinking is outright weird. It’s NOT going to work.

Lo and behold it did.

I needed to validate myself. I needed to be proud of myself. I needed to love myself. I needed to praise myself. I needed any positive thoughts. Because, I had never experienced it before, it felt weird, but once I kept up with positive affirmations, I began to believe in them. Then slowly, I began to know it was already a part of me and I just didn’t know it.

What does it mean to Believe in Yourself?

Believing in yourself is your unshakable certainty in yourself that you can do anything that you put your heart, mind and soul to. When you believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want because you do not have to rely on anyone else’s opinions or try and overwhelm yourself to meet someone else’s expectations. Believing in yourself is going to the core of who you really are, your soul, and believing in the deepest parts of you to guide you when you are scared, challenged, overwhelmed, doubtful, etc. You believe in that light inside of you, even though you might not believe in anything else in the world, or God, or whatever, you have your total belief in self. When you have that inside of you, you have the golden key to happiness. BECAUSE, when you believe in yourself you fight for the good things, you fight to survive, you are incredibly productive, you don’t give up, you absolutely trust yourself, you find or create your purpose and you go LIVE it (not just talk about it). Believing in yourself is key to the spiritual journey.

When everything attacks and you believe in yourself, nothing will affect you. When negativity surrounds you, you are not touched, because you believe in yourself. When you have no idea what to do about something, and you believe in yourself that the answer will within you, you will have clarity afterwards. But if you do not believe in yourself, then nothing is real. The good things that come your way, will not be real. The good people in your life, will not be real to you. Who wants to live in doubt forever behind the walls where you are safe and alone, because you put up a wall that keeps out the bad guys but also keeps out the good guys? Don’t be like how I used to be.

Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself that your light shines throughout the world. Believe and trust in your heart and soul. Believe and trust that you can do anything, because you can. Believe in yourself that will get through any hard times. Believe in yourself that you don’t have to be afraid anymore. Believe in yourself that you won’t be alone. Believe in yourself that when you encounter a struggle, there is a life lesson underneath that you just need to learn about.

Believe in yourself so much that you become unstoppable. For the world needs more people like you that define a purpose, believe in their purpose, and LIVE their purpose. Don’t be a weenie in your life. Take up the challenges you have in your life. Face them. Get up out of your bed and take action.  If you want to help change the world, which the world is in desperate need of, then first believe in yourself. The world NEEDS you. I NEED YOU. We need to lead a world movement in change together, but you need to believe in yourself!!

I believe in you.

Okay, enough on the believe in yourself speech. You get the point. :)

Much love,
Siddhali Shree

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