How do you get over self doubt?

[CoffeeWithMonkeys]

If you live long enough...self doubt melts away...
Little by little you get more convinced that you are seeing things correctly and get comfortable with who you are...

I'm 52, I doubt my self doubt is every going to 'melt away'. It's just as bad now as it was when I was younger.

 

[yukonnights]

You don't have to be confident in your writing ability. All that matters is that you enjoy writing and publishing your stories here. Lit readers paid you absolutely nothing for your story. You don't owe them a "good" story. It's not your job to provide them a "good" story. Write what you want. Enjoy whatever success you have.

Keep writing, and I think some of the self-doubt will go away. I've got enough stories under my belt that I have a pretty good idea of how a story will do when it's published. And if one story underperforms my expectation, I've got enough history to shake it off and move on.

The thing is though; If it's just for the fun of writing, why put the story anywhere but on a computer file? I think it's pretty much a given that we put our stories here because we want a; "well done" and a pat on our ego's bottom, right? It's our fear of; "That sucks!", that spawns self-doubt.

But, I do think our own evaluation of a story we've worked on is unreliable. I know of only two ways to address that; Either have someone you trust read it and offer critique — or, wait several weeks, then read it with a clear mind.

I think it's only time that eventually provides enough evidence of acceptable success that eases the self-doubt. And many, if not most, who publish here end up with mixed reviews — which sort of leaves one hanging and asking; "Is this one going to embarrass me or swell my pride for a brief instant in time?" (And it's also very dependent on what one views as 'acceptable success'. The 4.50 mark seems so much better than the 4.49 mark - funny how we like the prize so much — I know I do

 

[UsuallyPresent]

I have no doubt that I am unworthy. Everyone else is wrong.

I'm wrong that you're unworthy? Hrmm...

 

[MsLead]

I'm 52, I doubt my self doubt is every going to 'melt away'. It's just as bad now as it was when I was younger.

Hugs...you are great. Affirmations helped me. Maybe it didn't melt but I worked my way thru a bunch of it... and therapy.... you are right. I mispoke...

 

[Touch_type]

I'll be happy to take a look, as long as it's in my zone-of-interest. PM me.

I'm also happy to give supportive feedback to anyone posting here who feels they'd benefit from it.