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Dr. Seuss, creator of The Lorax and The Grinch said, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
But that’s easier said than done. We are often affected by what people might think or say about us. We feel unsure about being ourselves and try to conform to other people’s expectations. Our lack of confidence and uncertainty can lead to insecurities.
Insecurities are a mixed bag of emotions like fear, anxiety and frustration. It’s entirely normal and quite common to think this way. But how you deal with these feelings is what’s important.
Giving in to your insecurities and believing that you’re not good enough or successful enough can stop you from achieving your goals. It can also hamper your authenticity and happiness.
Let’s look at the different types of insecurities people often deal with in their everyday life.
Types Of Insecurities
Before you address your insecurities, you should understand who you are and what you want from life. This is part of interpreting yourself by developing self-awareness.
Harappa Education’s Interpreting Self course will teach you how to reflect on your past and gain insights for self-improvement. The River of Life exercise in the course is a great way to revisit your experiences and understand how they have shaped you. Once you’ve identified these significant moments in your life, you can start to decode your insecurities.
Here are the different types of insecurities that most people deal with at some point in their lives:
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Job Insecurity
This type of insecurity is about having a stable job—one that will give you a paycheck at the end of each month. Many factors can lead to job insecurity. The general economic climate is one big factor. For example, the financial crisis and the Great Recession of 2008 left millions without jobs. Social factors like discrimination or personal factors like lack of experience can also cause job insecurity. Job insecurity can lead to frustration, anxiety and despair. Remember to keep searching and applying for jobs. Don’t lose heart. The next job could be just around the corner!
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Financial Insecurity
This isn’t about the numbers on your bank statement. Rather, it’s about how you feel when you see those numbers. Many people determine their worth based on their income or savings. Sometimes we tend to belittle ourselves because we’re not as well-off as our friends or family members. But it’s important to understand that everyone has different standards for what counts as ‘enough money’. Maybe the person you’re comparing yourself with is feeling the same financial insecurity as you.
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Emotional Insecurity
Emotional or psychological insecurity is a feeling that can be caused by a sense of vulnerability or instability which threatens one's self-image. Many people perceive themselves to be vulnerable or inferior in some way, without knowing exactly why they think like this. If you’ve ever felt uneasy, nervous or anxious, it could be a sign that you are feeling emotionally insecure. Social stigma, bullying or personal loss are factors that can lead to emotional insecurity. There’s no one cause or cure for this, but it may help to confide in someone you trust and share your feelings with them.
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Social Insecurity
Feeling insecure, embarrassed or shy in a social context could mean that you have social insecurity. Not everyone enjoys going out on Friday nights or meeting strangers. Unfamiliar settings make some people feel anxious or nervous. If you do feel socially insecure when you go out, take a moment to understand why. No rule dictates that everyone has to be social. But if the opportunity presents itself, don’t let your fear decide for you. Try spending time with people who make you feel comfortable.
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Body Insecurity
Many people feel insecure about their bodies or their appearance. This can happen because one is consuming a lot of media that shows unrealistic beauty standards. Critical comments from others can also make people feel unhappy about their appearance. The most important thing when it comes to body insecurity is to quiet the critical voices and learn to accept yourself. Remember, the critics are simply projecting their own insecurities onto you.
Although having insecurities is common, you can work towards reducing them. This takes introspection, positive self-talk and being your own cheerleader.
A secure person is someone who doesn’t get affected by criticism and is equipped to deal with it effectively. Such people have a strong sense of confidence and know their strengths.
If you can wake up every morning and tell yourself that you’re more than just ‘good enough’, you could slowly learn to leave your insecurities behind. There’s nothing selfish about being your best self and loving yourself.
Explore topics such as How to Deal With Insecurities, Self-Doubt & Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone from our Harappa Diaries section and overcome feelings of nervousness and self-doubt.
