Believe in Yourself as Much as You Want Them to Believe in You

So often, we pour our energy into trying to prove ourselves to others. We want their approval, their trust, their faith in what we can do. But here’s the truth—none of that matters if we don’t first believe in ourselves.

For such a big part of my life, I listened to my abusive ex or jealous friends tell me I couldn’t do what I wanted. Their voices were loud, and for a while, I let them become my truth. I doubted myself before I even started, and I carried their disbelief like a weight on my shoulders.

But here’s what I’ve learned: when you walk into a room unsure, that doubt shows up before you even say a word. And when you carry yourself with confidence, people feel it. Belief is magnetic. It pulls others in and makes them see what you already know deep down—you are capable, worthy, and prepared.

The problem is, too many of us wait for validation before giving ourselves permission to shine. We want to hear someone say, “You’ve got this” before we believe it. But the order is reversed. It starts with you.

Believe in your ability to figure things out. Believe in your resilience when challenges hit. Believe that even if you stumble, you have what it takes to rise again. That belief will echo louder than any doubt in the room.

So the next time you hope someone else will see your worth, stop and remind yourself: Your belief sets the standard. Believe in yourself as much as you want them to believe in you.