Why You Struggle to Trust Yourself

You hesitate.
You ask five people what they’d do.
You make the choice, then second-guess it immediately.
Sound familiar?

That’s what it feels like when self-trust is low.

And it’s not just about big life choices.
It shows up in subtle, everyday ways:

• You write the message… then delete it.

• You commit to a goal… then backpedal.

• You say “yes” when you meant “no.”

• You know what you want… but you don't know how to let yourself have it.

If you've ever thought:
"Why can’t I just make a decision and feel good about it?"
This post is for you.

The Real Reason You Don’t Trust Yourself

It’s not that you’re flaky.
Or indecisive.
Or bad at “adulting.”

It’s that somewhere along the way, you learned to abandon your own knowing.

Here’s how it often happens:

• You were judged or punished for expressing your truth

• You were made to feel "too emotional" or "too sensitive"

• You were taught to prioritize others’ needs above your own

• You learned that love and safety were conditional, so you became who others needed you to be

The result?
You stopped listening to your gut.
You started outsourcing your authority.
And now, it feels like you’ve lost touch with your internal compass.

What Low Self-Trust Looks Like

• Constant second-guessing

• Fear of making the “wrong” move

• Analysis paralysis

• Seeking validation before acting

• Apologizing for your boundaries

• Overthinking minor choices

• Feeling disconnected from your wants and needs

But Here’s the Good News: Self-trust is a muscle.

And you can rebuild it—one rep at a time.

How to Rebuild Trust in Yourself

This isn’t about becoming fearless or “never messing up.”
It’s about learning to feel safe with yourself again.
Even when things don’t go perfectly.

Here’s how:

1️⃣ Start Noticing Your Inner Yes and No

Before asking someone else, pause.
Ask yourself:

“What do I want here?”
“If I didn’t care what others thought, what would I choose?”

It might feel foggy at first. That’s okay.
The goal is to ask, and start strengthening the signal.

2️⃣ Keep a “Follow-Through” Log

Every time you follow through on something, even tiny things, write it down.

• I drank water when I said I would.

• I finished the email I avoided.

• I didn’t cancel that plan.

Why it matters:
Self-trust grows through evidence. You have to show your brain: I do what I say I’ll do.

This is where tools like the Daily Actions of Greatness section in The Focus Journal  really shine, because they help you track the proof of your consistency over time.

3️⃣ Practice “Decision Journaling”

When faced with a tough choice, open a page and answer:

• What decision do I need to make?

• What outcome am I afraid of?

• What would I choose if I trusted myself fully?

• What would I tell a friend in this same situation?

This brings clarity. And clarity builds confidence.

4️⃣ Repair Your Self-Trust When It’s Broken

Sometimes, you’ll abandon yourself again.
You’ll ghost your gut. Say “yes” when you meant “no.”
The key isn’t perfection. It’s repair.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Acknowledge it: “I didn’t honor myself there.”

• Offer compassion: “I know I was scared.”

• Recommit: “Next time, I’ll pause and ask myself first.”

That’s what real trust looks like. Not always getting it right, but always coming back.

Final Thought

You were born with self-trust.
You were born with intuition, clarity, and wisdom.
You were taught to ignore it.

But you can return to it now.
Not through big leaps, through small, consistent moments of listening, following through, and affirming your inner voice.

This is the work.
This is the rewiring.

And if you’re ready to do it with support, you don’t have to do it alone.

Inside the Inner Greatness Community, we’re doing the work of rebuilding from the inside out. Together.
Through live coaching, reflection prompts, accountability, and a safe space to practice trusting yourself again.

You deserve to feel at home in your own mind.
And you’re more capable than you think.