Breaking the Pattern
At one point, I was seeing two therapists at the same time — a family therapist and a cognitive behavioural therapist (thankfully covered by insurance). They both gave me different tools for breaking old patterns and reclaiming my sense of self.
The family therapist helped me relearn the basics — the black-and-white of what’s right and what’s wrong. One of the first things she recommended was the book Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin by Anne Katherine.
That book was a wake-up call.
It showed me:
- why I was afraid to speak up,
- why I allowed things to happen without question,
- why I often felt unsafe in my own body.
It reflected back to me stories that felt eerily familiar — but from someone else’s perspective. It forced me to acknowledge that what I’d experienced was not okay. And that I needed to stop those patterns, just like I would want someone else to stop them for themselves.
Meanwhile, my cognitive behavioural therapist offered me something radically different — permission. Permission to say “fuck it.”
If someone consistently mistreats me, excludes me, or simply doesn’t like me…
I don’t need to try harder.
I don’t need to be nicer.
I don’t owe them my time, energy, or attention.
I just need to be polite. Curious in my hello, kind in my goodbye — and nothing more.
She also introduced me to something called the Challenge It method. When I’m convinced someone thinks I’m strange or unlikable, I ask myself:
What proof do I have?
Do I really know what they think of me? Am I 100% sure? Are they even thinking about me at all?
Most of the time, we’re not hearing people — we’re just hearing our own self-doubt echoing in our minds.
We’re not truly listening. We’re not asking questions. We’re performing, shrinking, scanning ourselves for flaws.
No wonder it’s so hard to connect.
But when you shift your focus outward — when you simply listen — you can breathe again. The pressure lifts. It’s not about you anymore. You can just be.
Of course, those self-critical thoughts will creep in again. They always do.
But the difference is: now I know I don’t have to surrender to them.
I can notice them, acknowledge them — and decide they don’t get to run my life anymore.
The Path to Trusting Yourself
Learning to trust yourself means believing in your ability to handle what life brings — to do something well, and to recognize when something isn’t right.
That kind of trust feels almost impossible when you’ve failed more times than you can count. But the first step isn’t perfect — it’s softening your expectations.
Start by lowering the pressure you put on yourself. Lower the bar for how a situation should turn out. Let go of the idea that you have to perform perfectly in every interaction or moment.
Instead, offer yourself grace.
It’s okay if you stutter.
It’s okay if you mix up your words.
It’s okay if your mind goes blank and you need to pause mid-sentence.
Over time, you can even start letting others in — gently and with humor:
“Oh my gosh, why did I say that? Haha.”
“Oops, I totally butchered that word.”
When your mind freezes — what do you do?
First, know that you can’t force yourself to snap out of it. That freeze is a trauma response. It’s your brain trying to protect you from perceived danger, even if that danger isn’t real in the moment.
Instead, take a breath (if you can). Excuse yourself. Step away — go to the bathroom, get a drink, check your phone. Give yourself the space to reset.
When I learned that it was okay to leave mid-conversation, everything shifted. I began noticing how many people do this — and no one judged them. No one thought they were rude. In fact, I realized people were doing it with me, too. It was just… normal.
The freeze response eases only when you feel safe. So ask yourself: Do I feel good being here?
If the answer is no — you’re allowed to leave. Even if it’s the main event. Even if you feel like you’re letting someone down. Say you feel unwell. Say you need to rest. And go.
I used to force myself to stay until the end — no matter how uncomfortable I felt. My brain would blank out over and over, but I’d keep pushing through. Why? Because I didn’t believe I had a right to leave. I didn’t believe I had a voice, or preferences, or needs. I was in survival mode.
By the end of the night, I’d feel completely drained — emotionally, mentally, spiritually. I’d spiral into shame for having a “broken” brain. I’d go quiet again. Let others take over. I was there, physically — smiling, nodding, playing the part — but inside, I was numb.
It’s a beautiful thing to be generous with your time, to listen deeply, to support others — but not when it costs you your mental health.
You can’t keep betraying yourself in the name of being kind.
Take care of you, first.
Mild discomfort is one thing — and yes, it can be noble. But chronic, self-abandoning discomfort isn’t noble. It’s harm.
You are good. You are kind. And you are allowed to put your needs first.
If anxiety hits, ground yourself.
Look around — name five objects in the room.
Focus on your breath.
Inhale a little deeper. Exhale a little slower.
Most people won’t even notice. And if they do? So what. You’ve probably heard someone take a deep breath while talking, too — it’s human.
Then, when you’re ready, gently shift your attention back to the moment. Acknowledge whatever negative thought popped in — and instead of letting it hijack you, get curious about it.
Where did this thought come from? Why now?
We all have these thoughts. Every one of us. And they don’t go away.
Maybe you feel insecure around someone who seems more confident or accomplished.
Maybe you feel envious of someone who seems to have a happier life.
That doesn’t make you bad — it makes you human.
The key is to understand what’s bothering you.
Ask yourself: Why is this getting to me?
Write it down. Say it out loud. Talk to someone you trust.
Once you start gathering those answers, you can reflect. And when you reflect, you begin to strip those thoughts of their power.
They’ll still show up — sometimes the same ones, over and over — but they won’t hit as hard. You’ll get better at seeing them, naming them, and letting them pass.
Let them move through you, not into you.
Trust doesn’t come from silencing every negative thought.
It comes from knowing you can survive them — and still show up with love, for yourself.
Offer yourself the same acceptance you’d give someone else.
Show yourself the same compassion you’d feel for a friend.
Love yourself — especially when you feel flawed.
With love,
Jenna
💬 Have you struggled with trusting yourself too? I’d love to hear your experience — feel free to share in the comments below. 👇
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