Weekly Prompt #30: What would you tell a friend who is experiencing self-doubt?
Welcome back, group! I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: How do you handle setbacks or relapses in your journey with depression? Thank you to all who participated and shared their thoughts and questions for discussion. They were thought-provoking questions and thoughts. I hope you all did too. If you didn't share yours, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you
This week's prompt: What would you tell a friend who is experiencing self-doubt?
Please know all thoughts and experiences are valid so no matter how small or big it seems, do share with us and we will discuss our thoughts on it together.
@ASilentObserver
I know that it is much easier to give advice than to take it, especially when it comes from someone you see everyday. Somehow, good advice feels like better advice from someone a little separated from you, even when both are trusted. I would try to give advice and, when it is inevitably rejected, suggest they talk to someone else they trust. That seems to work 90% of the time.
@JustMeAlways It sounds like you care deeply about supporting others through difficult times. You show empathy by recognizing that sometimes people need different sources of support. How do you handle it when someone you care about is hesitant to accept your advice?
@ASilentObserver I gave what advice I had to give. It is up to them to accept it or not. It is hurtful when the advice I give is rejected until it is given by another and my contribution is ignored. At least they accepted it from someone. I guess it is just my lot to be the one to plant the seed but not get credit for the tree that grew from it.
@ASilentObserver
What would you tell a friend who is experiencing self-doubt?
I would listen to them. Once their done I would give positive feedback with tools that may help them in fixing their self doubt. I would let them know how I deal with it but that what I do may not work for them but by explaining they may begin to see how to change their self-doubt.
Some ways to fix self doubt:
set boundaries
create space until you have worked out the problems
write a letter to the friend so they see it almost like a check list on what needs to be worked on
support them- let them know your willing to help.
@pamharley003 It sounds like you would approach this by being a good listener and then sharing resources. How does that feel like it would be helpful to someone who is experiencing self-doubt?
@ASilentObserver
the resources may help them see things their not seeing or help them understand self doubt better
@ASilentObserver
This is a bit tricky since my friends are online only, I try to remind them of their worth and what they accomplished, how beautiful and needed they are on this planet, that they are here for a purpose and that the world would stop spinning if at this exact precise moment they would be gone. Because they are worth every star in the sky, every seashell in the oceans, their presence is a portal to another universe that calls for home. Doubting is occasional, being reminded that we are infinite beings with so much power in our veins is primordial ! I wish us all to be well and to feel loved every single day until our last breath & more 💙
@MattyGoofball It sounds like you care deeply about your friends and want to help them through difficult times. Your words of encouragement and support are meaningful. Please know, that taking care of ourselves and others requires patience and understanding. We all have different experiences and perspectives, and it's important to respect each other's boundaries.
@ASilentObserver Thank you for your response ! This is very much true, for all part ! The thing is that right now, I wish i could be doing the thing i do to others to myself but i'm struggling to know how where to start. Everything feels so overwhelming
I would let my friend know I am there for them. We all doubt ourselves at one time or another in our lives. This gives us a chance to conquer demons and grow. Facing our fears and growing from them allows us to become stronger. Leaning on those we trust to help us when needed reminds us that we are not alone in these struggles.
Self doubt is our realizing we are capable of so much but afraid of failure. These doubts can be used to fuel our progress.
@anonyTortoise3336 That sounds wise. You care deeply about supporting others through difficult times. How do you think this approach could help someone who is struggling with self-doubt?
Self doubt to me is much like many other adversities we face. Once we embrace what it is and why we can learn to overcome it. We are borne into a world that is unknown to us but some how we survive. We learn we adapt. Looking back at times we doubted ourselves and over came it builds on our resilience to doubt. It can strengthen our resolve to look that doubt in the face and begin planning the walk through it. Whether it takes minutes, days, weeks or years we can over come almost anything. Set backs in facing these are opportunities to grown and find a new way.
@anonyTortoise3336 Thank you anony, I appreciate your thoughtful insights on self-doubt. I am glad you have clear determination to overcome it by embracing it, learning from past experiences, building resilience, and finding new ways forward. Please continue to take your steps and your small steps can lead to significant progress over time.
@ASilentObserver
I would say: It's very human to experience this, and you are worthy as you are right now. You deserve to believe in yourself and you are doing amazing through everything you've experienced in life.
@ASilentObserver
How do I shut this off? I just pay for therapy from 7cups through a therapist. Yet, I have to see an animated image of a man with question marks over his head. I don't want to see this. How do I shut off the 'feed' that 7cups is forcing on me?
If my best friend was experiencing self doubt I'd challenge it because it's not even real. Chanel and fur coats are but a dream and if they are saying they don't deserve to imagine anything beyond grass-stained skinny jeans then I will say to them think again. The mind is free but if they keep locking it in the same cage over and over again, what can they expect to see? There's more to life then bars and locks, steel and concrete. Kneel and pick up the key at your feet, friend, look at the glory of sea and strawberry fields. For my best friend I come like a Cali lifeguard, smack their drowning facade and put this on repeat; let it be, breathe and release the titanic drama sinking your legacy. And one more thing - if you're world weary do a lane switch, take a pit stop or stretch a bit...no need to crash into the nearest ditch or tree.
@ASilentObserverThank you for sharing this thought-provoking prompt! Self-doubt can be incredibly challenging, and offering support and encouragemnt to a friend experiencing it is crucial. I believe reminding them of their strenghts and qualities and offering reassurance can help them navigate through it. Looking forward to hearing everyone's insights on this topic!
@ASilentObserver
What would you tell a friend who is experiencing self-doubt?
Generally speaking, dependent on the level of friendship status. I would ask 'what's going on?'. Yes, it may be a generic question. However, it can help my friend open up about their self-doubt.
