We all have dreams inside us waiting to unfold. But those pesky doubts and fears? They want to squash our potential. I have been there - afraid to put my art out into the world, worried I would fall flat on my face. But you know what? It was time for me to rise up and say, "No more!" I wasn't going to let fear call the shots anymore. So, I'm here to tell you this: you've got mad skills and passion just waiting to be unleashed. Don't let Imposter Syndrome or anything else stop you from going for it. The path won't always be easy, but with a little faith in yourself, you can get there. I’m rooting for you - now go get it!

Facing Your Fears and Self-Doubt

Embrace Discomfort

Growth begins outside your comfort zone. Challenge yourself by trying new things and stepping into unfamiliar territory. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, facing your fears is the only way to overcome them. Start with small acts of courage each day.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Learn to silence your inner critic and replace negative self-talk with encouragement and praise. You are worthy, capable, and deserving of love - now start believing it. Forgive yourself for past mistakes and imperfections. Focus on your strengths and accomplishments, however small they may seem. I personally went through this myself. Reading Gods word really helped me have the compassion I needed for myself and those that were and will be quick to judge you. But whatever you believe you having a strong spiritual foundation is key.

Seek Support

Don't go through this journey alone. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are and support your goals. Let others remind you of your worth when you start to doubt yourself. Join online communities or find a mentor. There is power in connection. I have since than join several Facebook groups to help find a supporting circle of like-minded individuals like myself, Its sooo refreshing lol.

While overcoming self-doubt is challenging, the rewards are life changing. You have so much amazingness within you. Stop waiting for permission and start embracing your gifts. The world needs your light - now is the time to let it shine through! Believe in yourself, confront your fears, and step into your power. You've got this! The journey towards self-acceptance always starts from within.

Celebrating Small Wins Along the Way

During the early days of my candle making journey, it was difficult to find reasons to celebrate when self-doubt clouded my mind. But over time, I learned that acknowledging even the smallest wins could help shift my mindset to a more positive state. Looking for the Bright Spots.

When times felt tough, I tried to focus on the bright spots - the little rays of hope that reminded me I was making progress. Maybe I perfected a new candle scent or received positive feedback from a customer. No matter how small, I celebrated each win.

Celebrating Milestones

Reaching milestones along the way gave me an opportunity to reflect on how far I'd come. The first time I sold 96 candles in 60 days, the day my business became profitable, the launch of my new website - these were all moments worth celebrating. I treated myself to a nice meal, enjoyed a relaxing bath with a my favorite scented candle which was Gaia at that time, or simply sat in gratitude for the blessings in my life. Sometimes I don’t think we really fathom the true power of being grateful. If you want to make a serious impact on your confidence and life. Commitment to give thanks to the Most High for 15-30 minutes out of your 24 hours each day. It doesn’t have be on your knees praying, or with your eyes closed. It can just be you tapping into your heart space and feeling that energy of love appreciation you have for all you have accomplish. You can do this while taking a walk, making dinner, brushing your teeth or rocking the baby to sleep. Through those moments of your day, Just remind yourself to stay in tune with the energy of gratitude.

Giving Yourself Credit

As entrepreneurs, we often forget to give ourselves enough credit for our accomplishments. But the truth is, behind each success and milestone is dedication, hard work, and perseverance against all odds. Learn to recognize your own efforts and talents, and don't be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it!

Celebrating wins, no matter how small they seem, is so important for overcoming self-doubt and maintaining motivation. When times get tough, look for the bright spots in your day, acknowledge how far you've come, and give yourself the credit you deserve. Staying in a state of gratitude and positivity will help you continue progressing confidently towards your goals.

Adopting an Empowering Mindset

To overcome Imposter Syndrome and embrace your true potential, cultivating an empowering mindset is essential. This means challenging any negative or limiting beliefs you hold about yourself and replacing them with more constructive ones.

See Yourself as a Work in Progress

Understand that you will never reach a point where you feel 100% confident and competent. View yourself as a continual work in progress, focusing on growth rather than perfection. Learn to appreciate how far you come you’ve come rather than beating yourself up over what you have yet to achieve.

Focus on Your Strengths

It’s easy to become obsessed with your perceived weaknesses and shortcomings when Imposter Syndrome strikes. Shift your mindset to focus on your strengths, skills, values, and accomplishments. Make a list of things you are good at and the ways in which you add value. Refer to this list whenever self-doubt creeps in.

Embrace Discomfort

A growth mindset requires stepping outside of your comfort zone. Rather than viewing discomfort as something to avoid, reframe it as an opportunity to learn and expand your abilities. Discomfort often signals that you are about to gain new insights or skills. While it may feel unsettling in the moment, embracing discomfort will help build your confidence over the long run.

The journey to overcoming Imposter Syndrome is challenging but worthwhile. With practice and persistence, you can rewire your mindset, let go of limiting beliefs, and start living up to your full potential. Stay focused on your progress rather than perfection, focus on your strengths, and view discomfort as a catalyst for growth. You've got this! Believe in yourself and keep putting one foot in front of the other. You will get there and understand and accept success doesn’t come over night, you perfecting your craft doesn’t happen overnight, building a community doesn’t happen over. Those are unrealistic expectations you are placing on yourself. For those who have major success overnight, also burn out fast. It’s a double edge sword. They moved so fast that they don’t have the time to adjust and really soak in the experience to use as wisdom. They are then left feeling unprepared for the unknown. This is what we want to avoid. This is what you are building character and resilience for. To able to handle the unknowns.

 

The Healing Power of Journaling

Journaling can be an incredibly cathartic experience. Putting your thoughts down on paper allows you to gain a new perspective and work through difficult emotions. When feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy arise, journaling provides a constructive outlet to untangle your anxieties and reframe your mindset. And lets not forget the transformative power of lighting a candle. I make it a habit of sitting down with a candle it have became a sacred ritual for me. A moment of stillness and focus amidst the chaos of daily life. Natural oils such as lavender is scientifically  proven to enhance concentration and promote mental clarity, making them a perfect companion for journeys of self discovery. You can find candles anywhere from your local dollar store, discount stores or right here with us. 

Pour Your Heart Out

Don't censor yourself - let your emotions flow freely onto the page. Write about your fears, frustrations, and feelings of being an "imposter." Getting these thoughts out of your head and onto paper can help diminish their power over you. Journaling provides clarity and allows you to view your situation from a more balanced perspective.

Reframe Your Thoughts

Look for opportunities to challenge any negative or limiting beliefs you've expressed. Ask yourself questions like, "What evidence do I have that contradicts this thought?" or "What would I say to a friend in this situation?" Replace negative statements with more constructive ones. This simple act of reframing your thoughts can have a profound impact on your confidence and self-perception.

Find Inspiration

In addition to journaling about your struggles, write about your strengths, values, and sources of inspiration. What are you passionate about? What gives you a sense of meaning or purpose? Connecting with these intrinsic motivations can help overcome feelings of self-doubt and remind you of your inherent worth. This is Gods promise to us. We weren’t met to exist with such a low vibration of who we are as heir of the Most high. We must slow down and remind ourselves who we really are.

Journaling may feel uncomfortable at first, as it requires vulnerability and honesty with yourself. However, sticking with the practice yields life-changing benefits. Journaling provides clarity, helps reframe negative thought patterns, and reconnects you with your inspirations and purpose. Over time, you will gain valuable insight into yourself, your abilities, and your path forward. This simple habit can be a powerful tool for conquering self-doubt and embracing your true potential.

Start Small and Build Up

Don't make a huge leap outside your comfort zone all at once. That often backfires. Instead, take small steps to expand your comfort zone over time. Start a new habit, pick up a hobby, learn a new skill. As you get comfortable, push yourself a little further. Success builds upon success. Small wins lead to bigger wins.

Stepping outside your comfort zone and facing discomfort head-on leads to immense personal growth. It allows you to tap into your true potential and achieve more than you ever thought possible. Growth and progress happen when you refuse to let fear hold you back. Take that first step today you'll be glad you did. The rewards of progress far outweigh the discomfort of change. Your journey to success begins outside your comfort zone.

 

Conclusion

So what's the takeaway here, friend? The path to conquering fear and self-doubt begins with you. Start by being gentle with yourself. Celebrate small wins. Quiet those negative voices, and lean on your support crew when you need a pep talk. This stuff isn't easy, but the personal growth you'll experience makes it so worth it. Keep taking baby steps forward. Keep challenging yourself. And never forget that you have mad skills, major moxie, and the power to achieve anything you set your mind to. You've so got this! Now go out there, be bold, and make those dreams happen.

This is a story close to my heart, one filled with struggles, triumphs, and ultimately, growth. For the longest time, I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy, especially when it came to sharing my passion for candle making with the world as I have stated before. Imposter Syndrome had its grip on me, paralyzing me with fear and doubt. I realized that I couldn't let Imposter Syndrome dictate my path any longer. I couldn't carry the weight of past failures into this new venture. Changing my mindset became imperative and I have been taking non-negotiable step towards reclaiming my power and pursuing my dreams with unwavering determination. So, I made a promise to myself to confront my fears head-on, to silence the negative self-talk, and to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth. And let me tell you guys it wasn't easy. The journey towards self-acceptance and confidence is paved with obstacles, but it's also incredibly rewarding.

Keep going, friend! Here are some final tips to carry with you on your journey:

• Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself, especially on hard days.
• Celebrate every small victory. Note your progress and accomplishments, no matter how minor they seem.
• Surround yourself with encouraging people. A strong support system boosts confidence and motivation.
• Reframe negative thoughts. When imposter feelings arise, challenge those thoughts with logic and facts.
• Take action. Keep moving forward, however small the steps. Progress breeds more progress.
• Remember your strengths. Make a list and remind yourself of your skills and talents often.
• Stay present. Focus on the journey, not some distant goal. Enjoy the process.

 

You've got this! Keep walking your path with courage, grace, Faith in God and determination. Own your story and share your gifts unapologetically. The world needs to hear your voice and discover your talents and Ideas that God has planted into your hearts and minds.

Above Imposter Syndrome, shine brightly, and inspire others to do the same. With love and light,

 

Atiya Hardnett

Love Identity Candle, Co

 

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