Self-Assessment: Understanding the Root Causes of Your Self-Doubt and Fears

1
What are some situations or experiences that trigger feelings of self-doubt or fear for you?
Relationships
Appearance and body image
Pursuing personal goals
pursuing professional goals
Workplace situations
Parenting
Public speaking
Academic settings
Other
2
How do you typically respond to feelings of self-doubt or fear?
Avoid new opportunities or challenges
Procrastinate or delay action on important tasks
Seek external validation and approval from others
Overthink and analyze situations excessively
Engage in negative self-talk and self-criticism
Compare self to others
Downplay personality or culture to fit in
Hide parts of one's identity
Overcompensate by working harder
Self-sabotage
Physical symptoms like anxiety, stress, and nervousness
Other
3
What negative beliefs or self-talk do you experience when you feel self-doubt or fear?
"I'm not good enough"
"I don't deserve success."
"I'm afraid to fail."
"I don't have the skills to succeed."
"I am not smart enough."
"I don't belong here."
"I'm not attractive enough."
"I don't have enough experience."
"I'm not strong enough to handle this."
"I'm not worthy of love and respect."
Other
4
What negative beliefs or self-talk do you experience, if any, that are specific to your identity as a Black Woman?
"I have to work twice as hard to get half as far as my White counterparts."
"I'm not good enough because I don't fit the Eurocentric beauty standards."
"I can't speak up about racism or discrimination because I don't want to be seen as the 'angry Black Woman'."
"I don't belong in this space because I'm the only Black person here."
"My ideas and opinions don't matter because people will just see me as an affirmative action hire."
"I'm afraid of being judged or stereotyped based on my race."
"I'm not as qualified as my White colleagues even though we have the same level of education and experience."
"I have to downplay my personality and culture to fit in with the mainstream."
Other
5
What past experiences may be contributing to your feelings of self-doubt or fear?
Childhood experiences of rejection or criticism from family members or peers
Emotional, physical, or sexual trauma or abuse
Discrimination or racism
Previous failures or disappointments in achieving goals or pursuing dreams
Negative self-talk or criticism from others
Unrealistic expectations or pressure from family, friends, or society
Perfectionism or a fear of failure
Microaggressions and other forms of racial trauma
Poverty, violence, and trauma in the community
Historical and intergenerational trauma related to slavery, colonization, and systemic oppression
Negative messages in entertainment, media, or advertisements
Other
6
Identify the common themes or patterns in your responses.
7
What do these patterns reveal about the root causes of your self-doubt and fears?
8
What steps can you take to address these root causes to build your confidence and self-assurance?
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