“I’m doing this thing where I need everyone to approve of what I’m doing. My partner, my boss, my family… everyone. And the worst part is, I flip-flop. I’ll decide something, and then the second someone questions it, I start doubting myself completely.

This week in a meeting I said something I actually believed in. And halfway through saying it, I just fell apart. I started apologizing for my own idea. Like I was sorry for even having a thought.

I hate this. I know what I think. But I can’t seem to hold onto it when anyone else is in the room.

There’s this constant buzz of nervousness in my body. And this voice that just keeps saying ‘you don’t actually know what you’re talking about.’ Over and over. And the shame of it is overwhelming.

I’ve tried affirmations, I remind myself of things I’ve done well… it helps for maybe a day, and then I’m right back to questioning everything. So, how do I actually trust myself? Not just in my head, but in the moment? When someone questions me, how do I stay with what I know?”