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February 21, 2025
When facing uncertainty in your life, how much do you truly trust yourself to make the right decisions?
The world is full of differing opinions, it is hard to know what is the right decision. Voices of conviction leave us second-guessing ourselves. We seek validation from others, we can even ask others to decide for us. But in the end, it is us who must live with the consequences.
If our decisions define our lives, why do we depend on others to make them for us?
If you can't trust yourself, who can you trust?
The relationship with yourself is the most important relationship you will ever experience. No matter how the world around us changes, the people, environments, and circumstances, we remain constant. If that's true, doesn't it make sense to invest in and nurture that relationship?
An important part of this relationship is learning to trust yourself. Now, self-trust isn't always easy. Think about it, we've often eroded our own trust. We set goals we don't reach, make promises we break, and hold secrets no one else knows. We understand our flaws better than anyone. That burden of insight is, I believe, is a key reason why we struggle to trust ourselves when it comes to making difficult decisions.
But if we can rebuild that trust, we can reclaim that confidence and create a healthy relationship with ourselves. A relationship built on accountability and compassion. Where we are empowered to live authentically and pursue the fulfillment we truly desire, even when those around us disagree with our path.
When you are faced with uncertainty, self-trust empowers your ability to make decisions. The conviction to determine what you believe is right and pursue it. That does not mean you will never ask for advice, but you recognise in the end, the final choice is yours to make. You are accountable and the consequences are yours to live with. But it goes a step further than that, it's the belief, no matter the outcome, you have the capacity to navigate the challenges of life.
Without this self-trust, we outsource our power, relying on the opinions of others to help make decisions for us. Our lives become dictated by seeking validation from others and second-guessing ourselves. We hold ourselves back, refusing to pursue opportunities out of fear and self-doubt.
Self-trust doesn't guarantee we will succeed, but it guarantees that our decisions align with our desires, and give us the peace of mind to live with the consequences.
While traveling, my self-trust was put to the test. I was living what many would consider a dream, traveling the world with no commitments or responsibilities. At that moment, it felt more like a nightmare. I tried to make the most of the experience, visiting beautiful places and clinging to the hope that I'd feel better at the next destination. But I never did. No adventure or picturesque view could ease the pain of feeling empty and alone. Amid the chaos of constant change, my inner voice cried out for stability, for routine.
That stability came in an unexpected form, volunteering at a hostel. I say volunteering, occasionally it felt more like work, but I enjoyed it and it was exactly what I needed. I hesitated at first, sitting behind a reception desk was far outside my comfort zone. But deep down, I knew it was the stability I longed for. In a hostel far from the familiar, I found a home.
For the next month I welcomed guests, folded sheets, and stirred up a little drama. Outside of volunteering, I lived a surprisingly ordinary life. I went to the gym, studied, and smoked shisha. My mother will be glad to hear, I've left the shisha habit behind.
It may not be how most people envision traveling abroad, but looking back, I consider it the best part of my journey. I trusted myself enough to embrace the ordinary. Even when it didn't fit the 'travel dream', it gave me the peace and fulfillment I'd been searching for.
Building trust in yourself can take time. Here are some suggestions to help you start.
Learning to trust yourself takes time, patience, and practice. It requires showing up for yourself, following through on commitments, and taking accountability for the outcome. When we trust ourselves, we rely less on external validation and the opinions of others to make decisions in our lives. It gives us the ultimate freedom to make choices that align with our desires and the conviction to tackle uncertainty head on.
So, do you trust yourself enough to make the next right decision?