I was thinking the other day about how much I’ve changed and grown since I was a teenager.

(Funny how time does that to you).

 

When I was in high school, I MASSIVELY struggled with self-confidence. Some combination of shyness and perfectionism made it really hard for me to ever be satisfied with my work and too timid to be able to share anything less than perfect. Obviously that’s not a good combination, and because of it, I never shared my talents and I never put myself out there, which is a shame. A huge shame.

But I don’t think this is unusual. I think there are a LOT of people that think this exact same way. And while a lot of us grow out of it (I certainly have come a long way), I know there are still moments when those doubts start creeping back in, as they did for me relatively recently.

 

 

Luckily part of growing up means that you’re able to work through and get over these episodes relatively quickly, so it didn’t last long (perhaps all of a day?). But in the aftermath of that little episode, I was once again reminded of three beliefs that have always helped restore my confidence. So I thought I’d share them today.

If you’re struggling right now, remember these three things:

 

First, be patient with yourself. Maybe you’re not exactly where you want to be, who you want to be, or what you want to be. That is completely fine! What matters is that you don’t lose your belief that you will get there if you just keep trying. This might be an overused euphemism, but life is a journey and it has its ups and downs. If you’re not performing your best now, or if you made a bad decision, or if you haven’t arrived where you want to be yet, remember that where you are now is not your permanent situation and that your journey isn’t ending here.

 

 

Second, spend time with the people who love you unconditionally. They will help you remember just who you are and will help you smile again. A short and simple thought, but perhaps one of the most powerful.

 

And finally, keep doing the things you love and are passionate about. Of course, sometimes you might need to take a break, and that’s OK. And sometimes those things might even change. But don’t stop pursuing and doing the things that make you happy, because they will help you remember where your strengths lie and forget your self-doubt.

 

 

I believe God knows us intimately and has a plan that will help each of us achieve our greatest potential. And it always looks different from what we expected. There is always a new day ahead, with a new chance to believe and a new chance to know who you are and to love that person. Trust in the process and know that today is a part of your journey, not the destination, and that while you may feel lost, frustrated, or doubtful today, there are many more days ahead of you.