I went back to full-time work after a four-year sabbatical and, while it was exciting, I missed spending time at home with my son. I started second-guessing myself and wondering if I had made the right decision.
Eventually, I settled into work and found my balance. I wrote this down in my journal a few months ago and forgot all about it until I read it the other day. It resonated with me and I wanted to share it with you.
If you ever find yourself struggling with similar feelings, I hope this helps you get through it:
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Struggle is inevitable.
The next time it happens, draw confidence from your past experience. You struggled, doubted yourself, yet you overcame these obstacles and came out stronger and wiser.
Maybe self-doubt is a feeling you need to sit with.
You can listen to it speak, understand where it’s coming from, then respectfully disagree with it.
You may feel a lack of confidence, but you can choose to believe something else: That despite how it feels right now, you have proven time and again that you are capable of much more than you give yourself credit for.
Maybe these low moments are necessary for growth. They encourage self-reflection and prevent you from the bigger mistakes that can come from over-confidence.
Accept that this feeling will visit once in a while. Welcome it and learn from it, but remember that it is temporary.
Find the lesson, so you can let it go.
You are not your worst enemy, but your best challenger. You challenge yourself to keep struggling and growing. And look how far you’ve come because of it.
Believe in yourself.
If this resonates with you, send me a note. I would love to hear from you.
Kim