DEALING WITH SELF DOUBT

As a small wellness business, it can feel like a huge struggle, especially when comparing ourselves to others. I am lucky to have a partner but there are times I feel really deflated and insecure.

We are supposed to be guiding people to feel better mentally and physically – we should have this emotion-thing nailed being yoga teachers, shouldn’t we??

People often experience this feeling every time they start something new: A new job, a new hobby or a new class where they don't know anyone. It can be a challenge for even the most confident people.

Why does my mind do this?

The thoughts that happen in our minds are not always fact. They are stories.

Our minds can get negative, for no apparent reason. The mind can tell us we aren’t good enough without any rational justification.

It's really hard to get out of the self doubt cycle. The thoughts can make you dizzy.

Have you ever tried to turn a paddleboard around really quickly in the wind? It feels like that, awkward when that board doesn’t want to turn, especially because it’s wobbly too.

We need to practice turning those thoughts into positive ones. Even if you don't believe it, tell yourself something that you would to believe, but might not in this current moment.

• What I do has purpose
• This difficult experience is giving me an opportunity to grow stronger
• I am worthy of great things
• I am not going to give into my doubts
• Today, I am going to be a better version of myself than yesterday

It can be hard, I mean hard. It feels contrived and silly, but keep practicing it. You can even write it down.

It takes practice.

What can you physically do?

• Force a smile. Even using the muscles that make you smile is supposed to help your happiness. Apparently, it's scientifically proven.
• Give yourself a compliment, anything. Even if you can’t think of anything, think “I make a good cuppa tea" or anything positive. I happen to make great Rice Krispy treats. It's just butter, marshmallows and Rice Krispies but it's delicious.
• Write down 3 things you are grateful for. Again, it can be something trivial. Just changing the mind from a negative spiral can be done with any positive thought.

Of course, self doubt is not unique to us. I am sure that we all suffer from self doubt at some point – be it in our personal or professional life. Whilst yoga is unlikely to be a silver bullet to solve all of your self doubt, it can help give you the tools to cope that little better.

Whether you practice yoga online, home yoga or via a workplace yoga programme a regular yoga class can help you cope, reset and take the next step forward with renewed vigour.

Great timing

I believe that things happen for a reason.

I was feeling really down one morning until I got this lovely, handcrafted card in the best handwriting ever from one of our yoga students (we are friends too!). It says “Keep smiling” and the contents were so uplifting.

Just in time! Thank you, Jules. To know we brought positive change to one person makes the struggles worth it! Honestly.