I had a bad day today full of self-doubt. I normally have a lot of self-confidence but now and then like everyone else, I started to question myself and wondered if I was good enough for a space in the blogging world.

As the launch of our podcasting channel looms in the air, I started to wonder if I would cut it as a podcaster. I became curious and thought to myself, “Do people think that I am full of myself? Am I only wanting attention? Am I on an ego-trip?”

Of course, the answer to all those questions is NO! I blog purely for my love of the art of writing!

Today, I began comparing myself to other bloggers and as a result, I felt so discouraged as I have only been in this arena for a very short time with low [although growing] analytics. Other bloggers in comparison have been in this game for so many years, and have both a large audience plus a wide reach.

As I pondered further, I realised that self-doubt is the very reason why some of us stop pursuing our dreams, being outspoken or doing whatever it is that makes us happy.

Self-doubt makes us cave in to those negative voices in our heads. We remember those small-minded relatives who put us down or so-called friends who made snide remarks about goals we were pursuing. Then, if we’re not careful, we start to believe them, which often results in our pursuit of dreams coming to a complete halt.

I had to quickly replace those creeping voices of self-doubt and to stop comparing myself to others.

I had to remind myself that I am good enough for my niche, that I am using my voice to speak up against atrocities and I have a unique insight to share through writing blogs and airing podcasts.

I had to let my light shine brighter than my doubts.

There is enough room for us all to let our light shine no matter what we do; and there is room for me, even if I sometimes feel like a needle in a [blogging-world] haystack.

So, I went back to this aspiring mantra below, which is my go-to when I need a pick-me-up; that I am a powerful, gifted and talented human being; to stop apologising for it and to cease doubting myself.

I wish to share this with you that you may also be encouraged to always let your light shine bright:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?”

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others,” by Marianne Williamson, Amerian author.

Let your light shine brighter than your self-doubt.