How to Overcome Feeling Inferior and Insecure

Have you ever felt out of place, insecure, and wished to hide? Or perhaps you have always been shy and never dared to be like “The Others”?

“The Others” always seemed confident, good-looking and “out” there with their funky clothes and their trendy haircut. Yet you felt awkward, either too slim or too large, out of place or perhaps even like a misfit.

Now, let us see if they truly felt as confident as they pretended to be.

I distinctly remember as a teenager walking one day into my favourite Youth Centre, a place full of fun and support for young people like myself who were seeking a stomping ground to discover themselves.

I can’t recall exactly how it led to this moment, but out of the blue, for no apparent reason, someone accused me of being arrogant and aloof, claiming that I acted as if I were better than they were.

When I heard these words, my heart started to race, my nails dug into my flesh, and my knees bot weak. I barely managed to hide behind a “stonewall”, an unwavering smile to avoid showing my vulnerability. With tears in my eyes, I left.

I didn’t feel superior to anyone else; all I wanted was to fit in and be part of the fun. Overnight, I had transformed into a good-looking, quite tall (170cm) young woman whose hormones had taken over her body. I was fourteen and tried to navigate this new body and unfamiliar feelings, but I didn’t know any better than to conceal myself behind an arrogant facade.

At home, I struggled to come to terms with this accusation and didn’t know how to change. As shattered as I was, I remained the same but avoided that particular person. I didn’t understand what they wanted, nor did I have any help or strategy to be different.

This incident never left me. From that moment on, I realised that anyone, regardless of how attractive they appeared or how confident they seemed, had something entirely different going on inside. I understood from that moment on that those who seem aloof are often the most insecure and are terrified of being vulnerable.

Don’t assume that everyone who is attractive and remains in the limelight is confident and strong. Rest assured that many are just as insecure as you, or, even worse, they may be lonely and depressed.

This moment in my life marked the beginning of a journey to discover how to be strong in my vulnerability and to permit others to see me.

Now that I am where I am, I must say that the journey of gradually learning to develop inner strength has been worthwhile.

As a face yoga practitioner, I can see how many people are afraid to be seen. Even though the moment they drop their mask and start embodying the new person they have become is truly the most precious sight to witness. I feel fortunate to work with people‘s faces. Seeing how small changes lead to significant differences is powerful and fascinating.

If you want to learn how minor changes can have a huge impact on how you feel about yourself, read my next story.

Book a one-on-one Face Yoga consultation in person or online to start your transformation.