Where do you stop trusting yourself? Ways to build self-trust.

Self-trust is one of the most important qualities we can cultivate. It's the quiet confidence that allows you to make decisions, move through uncertainty, and believe that you're capable of handling whatever comes your way. It's not about having all the answers. It's about trusting yourself enough to take the next step and know that, whatever happens, you've got this.

I was journaling last week and was (unintentionally) listing all the ways I was doubting myself. Not exactly my happiest journaling session. I paused, took a few slow breaths, and worked to shift what I was thinking and how I was feeling. I used that pause to move my own perception into greater trust in myself.

I think we all have this "breaking point" where we are going along with clarity and confidence in what we are doing. And then it happens, we stop trusting ourselves. The place where we look around and think, "How did I get here? What am I doing next? This isn't going to work out." For some reason, our belief in ourselves evaporates, and we are left with an "oh no" moment. I don't know why it happens, and it isn't always the same, but when it does happen, it surely doesn't feel good for me.

Self-trust is the ability to believe in ourselves. We have confidence in our decisions. We have faith that we're on the right path. We feel grounded, can stand firmly, and have the strength to keep moving forward. It is relying on your own inner knowing and intuition. Believing that you can listen to yourself, recognize your intuition, and make decisions aligned with your values. It also helps you feel confident in your responses and actions.

Self-trust doesn't mean being perfect. Rather, it's the willingness to stay connected to yourself and learn from experience. To keep showing up with honesty and courage. When a mistake happens, it isn't bad. It's an opportunity to grow your self-trust muscle even more. It's an opportunity to learn and a reminder that we are all human!

Self-trust can be hard. It's also powerful and important, especially as you're navigating challenging times in your life. Self-trust is critical when making big decisions and creating big changes. It's a part of taking the next step in a relationship, looking for a new job, or moving to a new place. You have to trust yourself so you can move forward, and move forward feeling good.

Of course, you can move forward without trusting yourself, but that doesn't always feel good. We want to feel good. That's why we're on this path in the first place. That's why we do this inner work (at least that's my reason!). The journaling, the breath, the movement, the meditation. All of that is part of becoming a higher version of ourselves while also recognizing that we're complete and whole exactly as we are today. And of course, we're always evolving. We always have opportunities and possibilities to grow.

For me, I notice when I'm not trusting myself by my thought loop and also by my energy. If I am feeling depleted or down, I can sometimes tie it back to a lack of self-trust. The doubt kicks in, the uncertainty around what I'm doing and who I'm being grows, and the stories I tell myself begin to take over.

What are some ways to build self-trust? Back to energy...when I feel regulated in my body, breath, and mind, I trust myself more. Last week, when I was feeling lots of doubt, it helped to pause, close my eyes, and take some slow, deep breaths. It didn't immediately fix everything, and still it made a difference. It is a practice, after all!

Another one of my favorite ways to build self-trust is keeping promises to myself. Even the smallest thing, like going for a walk. And instead of calling them things I have to do, I reframe them as little gifts I've promised to give myself.

What also can help? Getting outside, gentle movement, relaxing music. Paying attention to your five senses. Reflecting on all you have accomplished, because I can guarantee it is a lot! It is a personal choice how you regulate yourself. Journaling, even, and here are a few questions I offer for reflection:

• In what area of your life do you most trust yourself right now?

• Where in your life are you currently doubting yourself? What might become possible if you chose to trust yourself instead?

• How do you recognize support from the universe (the divine, god, or a higher power) encouraging you to trust yourself more fully?

Self-trust is built one choice at a time. Every time you pause, listen inward, and choose to believe in yourself and your intuition, you strengthen that relationship. The more you practice trusting yourself, the more you'll realize that the wisdom you've been searching for has been within you all along.

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