how do you overcome feelings of inadequacy?

[mamaduck]

I guess I'm wondering if anyone has or does struggle with feeling inadequate, and what you have discovered to overcome those feelings or keep them in check?

[CajunMama]

I have MAJOR problems with this and have struggled with it for many years. I go through periods where I ALWAYS feel inadequate, and it drives DH nuts ANyway, it is a really difficult place to be in. I fight the urge to feel that way by reminding myself that I am ONLY ONE PERSON and a human one, at that. Achieving perfection is not an option, ever. I can only do the best that I can do and move on.

I used to trap myself by not doing my best and then feeling guilty about it, and then feeling bad about being not good enough, then the pity party really got started. Don't let yourself get into that pattern. Don't dwell on mistakes- we all make them. I have to remind myself of this every day.

Is this what you are talking about? Sorry I just blabbed on and on

HTH

[MamaMonica]

The only thing that worked for me was meditation, connecting to the Higher Self. I found my ego-self had no answers only more rhetoric and a lot of it wasn't very nice.

Still working on it. ((hugs)) to you, mamaduck.

[L.J.]

It's an ongoing process for me too, but I am getting better at catching myself heading in that direction instead of waiting until it's a full blown thing.

I have to remind myself (thoughts & journalling) about all the blessings in my life & how I am creating all the wonderful things around me. It's a lot of self talk that helps remind me of who I am.

I also find that foods play a role. I'm not sure which comes first, but I start craving foods that make my moods dip & then I want more & my moods dip lower. (Or I feel a little off & reach for foods that are "comfort" but also help keep me stuck there). If I can't seem to "shift" myself mentally, I push myself to eat healthier foods which also help me shift a little.

[Worldshakerz]

I have times where I'm like, "Yeah!" and very certain of myself and "Let's go get em" and then at some point I end up crashing out and feeling so down and like I can't do anything right. It's crazy really, it makes things kind of hard.
Yeah, all my life. I just meditated for the first time two nights ago and I really noticed a difference all day the next day in my comfort with myself and a calm energy. I'm going to start doing it nightly.

[Autumnschild]

My feelings were always that others would see me as inadequate, (especially DH). I came to realize that I was the only one who saw myself this way, and that other's opinions only held the power that I allowed them. As long as I am living an authentic lifestyle and doing what I believe is right, than I can remain adequate in my own eyes. Which is all that matters, really. And when I believe in myself, I find that others are more drawn to me and the friendships that I make are more real, because I am not pretending to be anything other than who I am.

[mom2edie]

hi i'm new to this site, but could really relate to your question about feeling inadequate. I've really been struggling with that issue lately, it seems to come and go. I know in the past, it has really helped me to stay balanced by getting more physical active, and yoga and meditation really helps me get intouch with my higher self, where I'm able to let go of destructive thoughts and patterns more easily.

[Emilie]

I do. I really can not handle any type of criticism- something as simple as dh asking me to empty the trash- sets me realing. I am here at my parents visiting right now and now know why I am the way I am!
I do not know what to do about it tho.
I am sharing more with dh about things tho- so he has a deeper understanding of who I am- where I come from and why I may act like I do.
Emilie

[weetzie]

Cognitive behavioral therapy helped me figure out how I was thinking of myself as inadequate and assisted me in redefining myself as adequate (using self-talk and other methods). I do think that it will always be a struggle for me, but I know that CBT really helped me get out from the worst thoughts about myself.

PM me if you want to talk more about what I did, how it worked, etc.