5 Tips for Overcoming Insecurity

1. Write down your fears. People generally feel insecure when they are afraid of something (for example, failure). To overcome your insecurity, write down your fears and analyze the list. You will find out that some of these fears are irrational so they shouldn't be taken into account at all. As far as rational fears are concerned, ask yourself: “What is the worst thing that could happen?” and “What can I do if it happens?” You will probably realize that it's not the end of the world.

2. Stop confusing imagination with reality. The habit of imagining the worst possible scenario is bad, but the habit of firmly believing that it will inevitably happen is even worse. You start picturing all these horrible things in your head, and the image is so vivid that you begin to confuse your imagination with reality. Stop making stuff up in your head and then believing in it! Everything will be okay no matter how hard you try to convince yourself it won't.

3. Focus on your successes. Insecure people typically have low self-esteem and focus on their failures way too much. The matter is that no one is perfect and everyone had their fair share of failure. But you are not your mistakes, they don't make you a bad person. Instead of thinking of all the times you've failed, think of all the times you've accomplished something, however insignificant these accomplishments might seem. The more things you remember, the more confident you'll become.

4. Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparing yourself to other people is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. There will always be someone who is better than you in one way or another, so you will always have a reason to feel insecure and miserable. You should understand that everyone is unique. Embrace it and create the habit of comparing yourself to yourself. See what progress you have made and how much you have grown, it will make you feel better.

5. Keep the right company. Your insecurity might be caused by negative people who surround you. Do you have judgmental friends who criticize your appearance, behavior, opinions, decisions, and life choices on a daily basis? If your answer is positive, you should hang out with these toxic friends as little as possible. We aren't saying that your friends have no right to criticize you. However, there is a difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism. You should avoid negative people who are quick to pass judgment.