Often, anxiety can come from fear or anticipation of the unknown. You can’t predict what exactly will happen next in your life, but having trust in yourself can give you a sense of peace. It’s easier to walk through the unknown twists and turns of life when you have a solid foundation of trust in yourself. Your confidence will increase and it will feel more natural to make decisions.
You can work on improving your relationship with yourself by familiarizing yourself with these three pillars of self-trust, guiding principles to build trust with yourself.
Trust in your ability to make decisions
While it’s normal to seek advice from trusted friends and family, you ultimately are the only person in control of your life. If you feel like you can’t make a decision without getting input from others, it’s time to work on trusting yourself to make decisions.
If you aren’t sure what choice you want to make, talk to yourself like you would a friend. Journaling or talking out loud can help you work through your thoughts. Carry this idea with you when mistakes come your way—give yourself grace the same way you would for a friend you love.
Trust in the unknown unfolding in your life
The unknown can be scary, but it can also be exciting. When you work on shifting your mindset to view the unknown as an adventure instead of a burden, you’ll feel more at peace. Trust that you’ll make the best decisions for yourself, and therefore, that you’ve controlled all that you can. Part of walking into the unknown is accepting that we cannot control everything. Once we begin to wrestle with that idea, it can actually bring some comfort. The idea that we are not responsible for everything around us should relieve some pressure. We can take a step back, and focus on the small things we do have control over. Simple, little, things that may seem inconsequential, like, making a nice breakfast, or taking a quick walk at work. These little steps that we do control, will help us face what is unknown, with more confidence.
Trust in your ability to get through challenges
You’ll always face challenges in your life, meaning you’ll always be given new chances to react differently to tough times. When you have a healthy sense of self and know that you can face sadness, pain, and hardship, you can recognize that you always get through it in the best way you know how. Going through challenges is part of life and makes the joyful times feel that much better.
To help with this, think about your past. Even when hard times came up, you survived and learned from them. Remind yourself that the same is true for your future.
Learning to trust yourself is a lifelong journey. It’s a journey that takes perseverance and determination, but it also brings relief, joy, and self-discovery. This journey is not one you have to take alone, many of our therapeutic services at Valley Oaks Health are here to support you, in whatever challenge you may be facing.
