Believe in Yourself

I’ve had a bit of a strange day today. I’ve found myself doubting myself. During lockdown I have been working on some chapters of a new novel. I read the words back to myself and think “you know what I’m pretty proud of that” but then I still have this haunting feeling that no matter what I do, my writing will never be good enough. 

I look at people making it big in this world, perfecting their arts. Whether that’s writing, acting, music etc. Then I look at myself and think that it’s never going to happen for me. I think the one thing I’m fearing the most is that rejection. Do I have the strength to take that rejection and turn it into something positive? Can I take that constructive criticism and eventually get where I want to be? 

I know that I’m not the only one that feels this way. It’s not helped by the fact that people tell us how tough the world can be and how hard it is to be successful in certain industries. Some even tell us that we are being daft in thinking that we will ever make it. But who are they to tell us that? I need to find that shining light inside me that says “you have a chance, just as much as anybody else.” I have so many arguments with myself on a day to day basis. One minute positive, one minute negative. The negative usually wins the fight. I am being so hard on myself today that I need to put things into perspective. 

This is what I need to tell myself.

 Don’t you dare look at other people and think that they have a better chance than you. You have a purpose and there is a place for you. Don’t think that just because someone is richer than you or has a different mind to you that they can make it and you can’t. What do you have to lose in putting yourself out there and giving it the best that you’ve got?! Do your research, work day in day out. If there is something you want to do more than anything in this world then put your heart and soul into it.

Yes there will be competition. There will be times when maybe your timing isn’t right, but does that mean you should give up? No it definitely does not. Competition is healthy. Make yourself stand out, push that little bit further. Challenge yourself. Push yourself to be the best you can be. Don’t just imagine and daydream about the success you could achieve, go and get it. Grasp it with both hands. Hold on to it and never let go. 

One thing that gets me from day to day is passion. If you are passionate about something in your life then focus on that. Let it light a fire in you that you can’t put out. Build on it. Take that passion and run with it. Put it into everything you do and most importantly, don’t ever  let it slip away. Don’t be in a job which doesn’t inspire you or motivate you. Life is just too short. Make sure you plan your days around those things that excite you. Make sure you live your best life. Don’t be sat when you are old and grey thinking about the things you should have done. Don’t sit and think about the life you could have. Go and make that life a reality. 

There are so many things in life that are uncertain and that’s just inevitable. That is something that we have to accept, and that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean that anything is impossible. Turn things around and make young people look at you and say “I want to do that when I’m older.” “I want to achieve what they have.” Inspire other people and make them believe that their dreams are achievable. Give people that hope that if you work hard enough for something then you can get there. 

I want to believe that there is so much more out there for me. There is a world that I’m yet to discover. There’s experiences that I want to experience. There’s mountains I want to climb. There’s a big wide world that I can take on. All I need to do is stop doubting myself. Stop arguing with myself. Stop telling myself I can’t do it. Then maybe those possibilities will welcome me with open arms. 

One thing I have to say to you is that we should help each other. Encourage one another. Give people the nudge they need. Help them on their journey. Be kind and want what’s best for every person we meet. Guide them, advise them, do everything in your power to push them in the right direction. Let’s lift each other up. In this cruel world we live in it’s the least we can do. We can promote and market, hold their hands through the set backs, push them forward out of their comfort zones. We can contribute to their success. We can be each other’s shining light.