Why Self Doubt Often Shows Up When You Are Growing
When you are navigating a life transition, whether stepping into parenthood, starting a new career, or redefining your identity, self doubt often shows up uninvited. Many people think doubt means they are unprepared or incapable. In reality, doubt is a natural response to change.
Your mind is wired to seek safety, so it sends warning signals when you move into unknown territory. This is not a flaw. It is your brain trying to protect you.
Why Self Doubt is Normal in Life Transitions
For first generation adults and BIPOC professionals, self doubt is often shaped by cultural expectations and the pressure to succeed without a clear roadmap. You may have been the first in your family to graduate, start a career, or hold a leadership role, which can make every new step feel uncertain.
For new and expecting parents, self doubt may sound like, “Am I doing this right? Am I good enough to care for this baby?” These questions are common and do not mean you are failing. They reflect the weight of stepping into one of the most important transitions of your life.
Self doubt is not proof that you cannot succeed. It is evidence that you are stretching into something meaningful.
How Self Doubt Shows Up
You might notice:
• Wondering if you are truly ready for this next step
• Comparing yourself to others and feeling behind
• A fear of making mistakes or failing
If these thoughts sound familiar, know that you are not alone. Many clients I work with in therapy share these same worries when moving into new chapters.
Strategies to Move Through Self Doubt
The goal is not to silence doubt completely but to learn how to keep moving even when it shows up. Here are some tools that can help:
• Notice the voice of doubt without letting it control you. Naming it as “doubt” creates distance.
• Ground yourself in the present. Ask, “What do I know to be true right now?” rather than getting lost in what fear predicts.
• Remember your track record. Reflect on past times you succeeded despite uncertainty. Evidence of your resilience is already there.
Affirmations to Carry With You
I can feel unsure and still move forward.
Doubt means I am stepping into something meaningful.
My readiness is not defined by my fear.
A Helpful Dialectical Statement
“I can feel unsure and still trust myself to take the next step.”
This statement allows two truths to exist together: uncertainty and courage. Holding both makes space for compassion and forward movement.
Therapy Can Help You Feel Less Alone
If you live in New York and are navigating a big life change, you do not have to figure it out alone. Therapy can provide a supportive space to explore self doubt, understand where it comes from, and learn how to move through it with confidence and clarity.
I offer trauma informed, culturally responsive therapy for first generation adults, BIPOC professionals, and new or expecting parents. Together, we can explore the stories that shape your self doubt and build new ways of approaching growth.
📞 Schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation today by emailing me at ashleyrodriguezphd@gmail.com to see if we are a good fit.
