How To Stop Doubting Yourself - Dr Julie  

Hi I'm Dr. Julie subscribe & follow me for more videos on all areas of mental health and motivation. For more on this see my new no.1 bestselling book - Why has nobody told me this before? 👉 linktr.ee/drjuliesmith

"never been good enough anyway" well folks heard this one too many times... i wonder where my self-doubt came from 🤔

I avoided driving for so long. I told myself that taking the bus is good for me, and that I can handle an hour and a half on the bus and adjust how early I wake up so that I can make it to work on time. Well, five years later, and I’m moving on to another vehicle, and driving has helped me with seeking out freedom and independence after living a life of being coddled and dependent on my parents for a lot of things.

This reminds me of a situation is was stuck in last year: I am currently studying physics (now doing my master after getting my bachelors degree) and have been struggling with social anxiety disorders since puberty. So I am seriously scared of giving presentations, however to get my bachelor degree, I had to give three presentations over all of my semesters. Of course I just avoided them until I had to give three presentations in 2 weeks. And of course, I thought I would screw all of them up, would black out, stutter so bad nobody would understand me or just explain the topics horribly. But I also didn't want to explain my issue to the faculty (which could have released me from all of them), cause I knew that others were scared as well but still pushed through and not giving those presentations would have felt to me like cheating. So I pushed through (while still being worried to completely f*** it up) trained the presentations, tried to give them with or without notes, went over different explanations and so on. And of course it worked out perfectly fine, I actually got two As and a B and especially for the first two resounding positive feedback. So yeah, self-doubt is perfectly normal, if we would never doubt ourselves we would not learn or grow from our mistakes. But it should also not be something to stop you only something to try to better yourself. If you don't think you can do something, don't let this thought stop you from doing it, but use it to prepare yourself better and learn about the thing you want to do. And then just do it (which sounds much easier than it is).

Wow.....avoidance....feeds self-doubt. yeah, all 3 are deep. And true!

You have no idea how much I needed to hear this today. I have been full on avoiding for nearly a month now.

You are the best. World need people like you

This is a constant struggle from me when it comes to work and my home life and in life in general.

1. Avoidance feeds self doubt 2. Tackling self-doubt demands courageous action in the direction to something that matters to you 3. When you stop waiting for self doubt to disappear it won’t haunt you back again

You have no idea how much I needed this, thank you so much!

The first one is something I try doing, but not avoiding things also takes so much energy...and the second point is hard because I have no idea what that important thing is... But the third one is definitely the thing I can relate to the most. Most of the time the feeling of self-doubt doesn't hold me back while I'm doing something that is potentially scary, but it hits me in the back after I finish, and it takes a while to make it go away...

I loved the way you said, “To let that self doubt come along for the ride.” I’ve been wanting to start a podcast and I’ve been holding myself back. I love your channel and the way you explain mental health! Thank you for existing! ✨

The avoidance thing is true. Sometimes I feel like if I show my really me people won’t like me , when I’m already my real ME just I don’t show everything and I think it’s normal , right?! Like why ???! . Yeah Self-doubt is a big deal in my life. I don’t want to always second guessing myself :(

Thanks. I need this rn cuz I'm about to take a new step in my life that is out of my comfort zone. I've been setting it aside for a very long time bcuz of self-doubt. I don't care anymore if I still doubt myself, I'm just gonna go for it💜

My self doubt is about how I treat others. I want to be sociable yet Im afraid my words would hurt those around me. Im aware of my actions but Im scared I might hurt somebody unintentionally

Thank you Dr. Julie for explaining self-doubt. I finally understand what courageous means too. Xxx

I- i appreciate being called out like this

I have an audition soon and I just saw this guy walk in and nail it. I came home and started practicing and I started to think I could never make it. Thank you so much for this. I’ve been compared to my cousins all my life and I finally feel like I can do it.

Thank you 🙏 I have depression and anxiety and u really help me keep helping all of us. Ur the best

Hey Dr Julie! I wanted to say that your videos have helped me combat my anxiety and build my confidence back up immensely, and I just want to say thank you very much!

I normally don't comment on things on the internet, but I really needed to hear this. I have a important paper work due in 1 day and I felt like giving up (again). This really helped and calmed me. Thank you for bringing knowledge about mental health! You're such a gift!

Dr. Julie, I can't thank you enough for these videos. I am someone who currently struggles with self doubt so much. Moved to another country. Hence, so many culture shocks, diferrent language, missing family and friends, constantly asking myself how am I going to manage all of that ... these videos help me a lot, Thank You!

Amazing amount of wisdom conveyed in less than 30 seconds. I let self-doubt get in the way more times than I can remember but I am working on it . . .!

The Nuvole Bianche from Einaudi playing in the background makes it even deeper than it is for me. Thank u

Stay blessed! This video is actually helping me to get out of my self doubt about my competency and seek some training material for getting hands on which will bring confidence in me

We need class like this in school

I completely agree with Julia. The best way to overcome self doubt or any fear is to do what scares you the most.

I’ve had self doubt for so many years but only a few months ago was when it started getting worse - I’m so glad you made this video because it shows I’m not really alone and just thank you for providing this wisdom. I want to do this like you one day when I get my own psychology degree, to help people who like myself who need help more than anything I just hope what you say helps me in the long run, I always doubt everything and everyone and it frustrates me. Every little thing I do, every little thing I say - I doubt myself and begin questioning whether or not if people will like me if I did this or that or if I said this or that - I just wish I knew about my self doubt before it got to this point, but thanks to you, l’ll start working on it. So thank you

thank you all your videos have helped me a lot 😊

I appreciate the succinctness of your message. You don’t ramble. Thank you. You get right to the point.

Dear Julie , God sent you down to the earth to help the people who are in utter distress. Thank you. God bless you

I felt this. Last year I wondered if I was gay but I avoided it and the self doubt took over. I was confused. Ended up dating a guy a few months ago which was fine but I wasn’t happy in the way I could be. Just surviving and barely that, I was hiding who I was. After a mutual break I decided to question whether I was gay more intensely and realised that I am. Came out to some friends, my life has changed dramatically since and it’s been not even a month. Not many people know but I do now. It all makes sense and the anxiety over the idea of being with another guy ever again helped me get to that conclusion. So much happier now. Feel like I’m free in myself and that I can breathe finally.

My inner voice in my head keeps beating myself up saying I'm not good enough...but I push back or to the side these days...

Thank you Dr. Julie! I appreciate you making this video! This is very helpful information! I will keep these facts in mind.

Self-doubt has been controlling my mindset for years, but I managed to battle it and finish my novel.

Thank you this has really helped❤️❤️

This couldn't have come at a better time - thanks for the short, Dr Julie! My self-doubt has been fuelled by family/friends making me feel like I can't do certain thing in my life (or even saying it to my face e.g. "That's a bad idea, you shouldn't do it that way") and now in my mid-20s I am making a stand although I know it's going to be tough. But videos like this are definitely signs that I should just keep going even if I am hella scared and anxious of the outcome. I will never know what life has in store for me unless I go and make my move.

I do constantly doubt myself. I do it all the time.

Wonderful!! Yes, whenever we see problems we tend to dodge it and each time we do so the problems never take the back seat but they return head on every time and they go on invigorating themselves each time they return until you face them, and one cannot avoid facing a problem of manifold stronger force or at the time of budding!! But the longer you wait the weaker you become to face a problem and unless we are taught how to face such situations in life, we fall prey to the problems we love to avoid facing!! Thanks for the advice!!

This is dead on and so well communicated. Dr. Julie, you are amazing- thank you!

Good advice. I actually felt encouraged while listening to the part about taking my fear with me.

Thank you. So just Do what you have to do the eliminate doubts!

I can’t explain how comforting & useful I find your tips ❤keep up the great work Dr Julie

Oh! My! Gosh! This is EXACTLY where i am at right now!! Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤

This is happening to me this week, going back to school but avoiding learning about the online stuff. It’s excruciating.

I just realised something. I love your videos and the way you explain things and say things just kinda makes sense to me and I have been watching them over the past few weeks because of my mental health problems. A few months ago my mum handed he a book on mental health. I thought it was just another book telling me the same things ive heard a thousand times before. But as i was watching one of your videos I looked at the book you had on your table and thought it looked familiar, then realised it was the same one mum had handed me. So I googled it and found out you wrote it. I have started to read the book and it is helping me so much thank you!!

Done all the 3.. Have more self doubt then before.. There.

I love this I have always had this doubt that I look so ugly and fat. I am still trying to get myself out there

Its especially tough wenn the world throws more reason for self doubt at you, like job application, pressure to be successful and all those things

Replayed so many times and finally these make sense ~ish. Appreciate all the tips

Thank you for this❤️

Feels like my self speaks out in front of me 👍

Do the thing you fear !! Been there fine that. Still a work in progress at 70

That point 2 is what struck me… im constantly dealing with a massive amount of selfdoubt. I love playing the piano, and ive been telling myself to start livestreaming now for several years. Ever waiting for the ‚right moment‘. Maybe i should just ‚Do it‘ in order to help me.

Hi doc. Have been following you from the start on tick tok. I'm so proud and thankful for you. You are changing peoples lifes. Thank you for being a light in this dark world.

Thank you for being with us , arranging and laying solutions like a cold breeze 🙏🌸💓

I just want to add: That gorgeous blue sweater is really comforting when listening. It may be on purpose, as blue is known as a calming colour; however, I fully appreciate it.

I realise I was blessed to know this when I was younger. Sadly I don't anymore.

Procrastination is also doubting yourself

Thankyou for these videos, my brother is a psychologist too and he has alwaysseemed so confident. I unfortunately have a narcissistic mother, no joking and to say that she has done a lot of damage is an understatement. We are all standing on our two feet. My family have special needs with our son severely disabled and in a wheelchair with peg feeds so it is very challenging around here at times. I find Christmas to be very tough. Anyway your videos are helping and i just wanted to say thankyou for that. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year from Australia xx

Thank you so much. This is what I needed to learn right now!

I have dealt with this my entire life

your lessons are extremely valuable. Much appreciated

Finally, a motivation that's actually helping

I've been working a long time to get back the self love I found in 2019 but lost a year later due to an abusive roommate. I've been making serious strides forward recently and this video helped me remember that and be proud of it. I am so much more courageous with my fears than I was a year ago. Thank you.

That's what I needed to hear right now. Thank you!

Gosh, wish I knew this 50 years ago! 🙏

Had to listen to that about 10 times in order to overcome distraction enough to actually hear the whole thing.

I just love her advice! She makes things so simple....

I love this.. every thing she says hits me. What a blessing to know someone understands me 🫣

ThankYou Mam ! For your Advice .Don't Avoid . Deal Now !

This is honestly how I got over agoraphobia. I just brought my fear for the ride, everyday. I cried more times than I can count but it does get easier.

Im 53 and this had overshadowed my whole life and just wish I heard this before ...I've almost got to a point where I was planning a way out of this life so thankyou ..

YaaY THANK YOU I needed this reminder!!! I once had a coaching session and discovered my lack of belief in myself and I need to see myself as a warrior woman and go into life with COURAGE!!!! Therapy never helped me because no therapist was ever able to put it like that for me

It's tough but I do it all the time. Keep at the things you feel less confident with. Nothing is ever as scary as you make it out to be. Preparation, planning and information are key to over coming anything. Fear of the unknown is holding people back.

I’ve been watching your videos lately and even though it’s only been a month your videos and my finally going to therapy has helped so much. People around me noticed I have a lot more energy, I seem more confident, a lot less like I’m haunted by ghosts that aren’t there. I didn’t date for years out of what I went through, I was laser focused on just working and blinded myself to everything else, and I was afraid of losing another friend. I was terrified of another friend dying on me, literally. Today I plan to ask someone out that I’ve been really into. I’ve felt so much like a massive shadow has been taken off me and I’m not held to my fear anymore. To both you and my therapist im thankful.

You're beautiful in so many ways. I'm so deeply greatful for your wisdom. Big thank you.

I'm in the same situation. I have to make a life changing decision now...

Thank you so much for this. As someone who constantly feels like a fraud, I needed to hear this.

I was doing pretty well avoiding my anxieties until Dr. Julie reminded me about my self doubt - now I’m worse off than before 😢

I have been questioning my capabilities lately, thank you for helping, I really needed it

Her videos are calming

You explain everything so beautifully. You have a very calm and soothing voice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏 💕

lovely and educational as usual. Great done! Thank you, Dr. Julie Smith! ❤️

OMG THANK YOU. You have no idea how much I needed this. ❤❤❤

Thank you you put this so clearly for me.

Thanks you 💞 . . And colour scheme behind you is some how makes me feel good.. I adore it

Thank you for these videos, they really are telling people who don’t have this kind of support things they need to hear.

Procrastination or fear feeds self doubt!

I really am glad I came across this. I thought I’m doing so terrible. But yet. I’m about to start my dream job in two days as an automotive mechanic. And I’m deathly afraid as much as I am excited. And I really needed to hear this. Thank you

You're doing valuable work, thank you. 💚

Best advice about self doubt ever !! Thank you❤

People I think tend to be unforgiving if you screw up and when you do omg do they never ever let you forget it

I love her videos. They are so easy to understand and the short clips are great bc I send them to those who I know are dealing with depression or self doubt.

This is so helpful. Started writing a new book the other day… got like 12 pages in 20 minutes and haven’t looked at it since… but feeling guilty because I know the people it could help. Might start it as a vlog or blog instead. See if it grows.

You give great advice, you can help many people

Besides your talks , I also love how your subtitles are not in the middle of the screen

I was just thinking at that, this morning. I must move, change city, returning to my old job after pandemic new organization. I must face so many difficulties: more expenses, more distance from my family, a not good health after some problems... I will keep these advice as treasure because I want to change but I must be conscious of my real situation and distinguish real difficulties and predictions from imaginary complications. Thank You very much, Dear Dr. Julie.👌🏻🙏🏻🍀🌞🤗

It's hard to stop when you have done it for 4 plus years

I wanted this now thankyou