How Self-Doubt Dulls Your Light as a Woman of Color: Part One
Breaking Free from Stereotypes: Empowering High Achieving Women of Color to Embrace Their Potential
As women of color, we possess unique strengths, talents, and perspectives that can shine brightly. However, the presence of self-doubt can dim our inner light and hinder us from fully embracing our power. According to RN and Health Coach Michelle Blackwood, self-doubt is defined as “a lack of confidence in oneself and one’s abilities.” It can be a very debilitating feeling that can prevent you from achieving your goals and reaching your full potential.
I don’t know about you but since you are a human being, you deserve to be on track to achieve your goals. You also deserve to have the space, time, and energy to working on reaching your full potential!
In this blog post, I want us to explore how self-doubt manifests in the lives of women of color and the impact it has on our self-esteem, aspirations, and overall well-being. Let's uncover the ways in which self-doubt dulls our light and discuss strategies to overcome it.
How Internalizing Stereotypes and Expectations Affect Us: Society often perpetuates stereotypes and unfair expectations that women of color must contend with. Internalizing these messages can lead to self-doubt as we question our abilities, worthiness, and potential. The weight of these stereotypes can dim our light and create barriers to embracing our full potential.
The barriers we can experience from stereotypes and expectations not only can affect our ability to trust and believe in ourselves, but these barriers can also affect our physical and mental health, causing us to feel symptoms of fear, worry, or anxiety, including, [but not limited to]:
· Having trouble sleeping
· Having an increased heart rate
· Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
· Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
· Having difficulty controlling worry
Strategies to Overcome Internalizing Stereotypes and Expectations of Others and Society: As a mental health therapist, I think one of the most important strategies to debunk the opinions, criticisms, and expectations others have for us is to learn how to assertively communicate first with yourself.
Cheers to getting better at taking care of you!
What might this look like in practice? Well, for starters, learning what assertiveness means and what it represents. The ability to be assertive means that you have the ability to speak up for yourself in a way that is honest and respectful. In many instances we may not learn how to communicate in this way, do to internalized stereotypes and expectations, and the experiences that come with them from others and society. Go figure!
Just remember, that taking care of yourself, which includes being honest and respectful in the healthiest of ways, is truly a life journey. So, remember to breath and be good to you! In my last blog post, I talked about the importance of developing a meditation practice. When you spend time with you, and connect with yourself, you are developing your relationship with you. Ways to incorporate this includes:
· Reciting positive and realistic affirmations to yourself daily
· Healthy body movement [not only the gym, but a hobby where you’re able to exercise and have fun!]
· Maintaining an attitude of gratitude – focusing on what you do have and how it enriches yourself is a game changer!
Do any of these strategies speak to you in any way? Which one do you prefer to use for yourself? Share with us below in the comment section. We want to hear your thoughts and are open to ideas as well. Always remember, iron sharpens iron. Health begets health. Let’s do this together! Follow me on social media and talk soon!
