An inferiority complex is a devastating belief that youāre inadequate in some way. Even though it may feel like everyone else has their life together while yours crumbles around you, thatās not the case. Many people deal with this problem at times. Some people try to ignore it, but it wonāt disappear on its own. In fact, it can get worse, it has the power to shatter your confidence and happiness.
You must crush this massive obstacle in your path. What you think about yourself defines who you are today and who youāll be in the future. So, if you believe you are not as āgoodā as other people, youāll avoid challenges and miss out on opportunities.
However, these thoughts are lies, and theyāll shatter your self-esteem if you believe them.
But, donāt feel ashamed for feeling this way. Itās something everyone goes through at some point. Whereas, youāre a step ahead of the others for being brave enough to conquer it.
Itās always helpful to recognize the signs of an inferiority complex, so you can shut it down ASAP.
Here are the top signs of an inferiority complex:
- Having overly aggressive behavior or acting with overbearing pseudo-confidence
- Timidity or shyness
- Always comparing yourself to others
- Excessive expectations of others
- Needing praise and complements
- Extreme sensitivity to otherās opinions and criticisms
- Perfectionism
This complex often forms from childhood wounds or comparing yourself to others. It will cause you to magnify your faults and crave other peopleās attributes.
The worst thing you can do is think that youāre the only one who feels this way. Everyone has something that theyāre not proud of, but itās their choice if they allow it to devastate them or not.
Luckily, an inferiority complex isnāt inherited; itās learned. Therefore, you can unlearn it.
Keep reading to discover how to end this destructive thought pattern.
How to triumph over an inferiority complex:
1. Deal with the root problem of your inferiority complex
Ask yourself: Who makes you feel inferior?
āEnvy suggests inferiority.ā
āWayne Gerard Trotman
Think about who or what situations make you feel less than adequate. Ask yourself, what makes you think this way?
Is there something about you that you feel is unacceptable, and can you fix it? If not, itās best to accept and embrace it. Besides, those that love you do so despite your flaws. So, why canāt you do the same?
Have you been picking old wounds?
āTo anyone that ever told you youāre no good ⦠Theyāre no better.ā
ā Hayley Williams
Bullying from childhood can create an inferiority complex. Most people were teased at some point in their lives but you donāt have to carry this useless baggage forever.
First of all, it doesnāt apply to you anymore. Youāre not the same person now. Besides, whoever insulted you was reacting to their own issues. So, it never had anything to do with you.
Children internalize negative remarks and believe that every insult defines them for life. Now, as an adult, you can change how you think of yourself and eliminate your inferiority complex.
2. Donāt increase your inferiority complex, embrace your uniqueness!
āOur deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.ā
āMarianne Williamson
Celebrate that youāre not identical to everyone because then youād blend into the crowd. Thus, making you invisible.
Although itās not easy to be unique if you think itās a horrible thing. But once you say, āscrew it!ā and you stop focusing on how you contrast with others, life begins! I learned that lesson long ago, and it changed my life.
So, love your distinctive traits because standing out is how you succeed!
3.Ā Write down your best qualities
āWith realization of oneās own potential and self-confidence in oneās ability, one can build a better world.ā
āDalai Lama
An inferiority complex makes you focus on your flaws and then ignore your best qualities. So, make it a point to sit down a write out all the reasons youāre a delightful person.
For instance, you know you can make people smile and laugh. You have to potential to bring joy to othersā lives. All people (including you) are amazing in some way.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What are your talents?
- When was a time that you were brave?
- What hard times did you survive?
You should be proud of these answers, write them down, then put the list where only you can see it every day.
Also, it helps to recognize your strengths. If youāre not sure what your abilities are, here are some links to strengths tests.
4. Accept what you canāt change and let it go
āInferiority complex makes people place more emphasis on survival instead of living.ā
āConstance Chuks Friday
Take action to fix the things that make you feel inadequate. Write down your insecurities and put their solutions next to them. Next, create an action plan to correct them.
You might find that itās impossible to fix some of them because theyāre out of your control. For instance, if youāre short, you canāt grow taller. Therefore, you must accept it.
You should let go of what you canāt change. Otherwise, youāll keep beating yourself up for a lifetime. So, accept the fact that you canāt change it and let go of hating this part of you. Besides, you can make your sense of humor and personality outshine any flaw.
Accept and love yourself enough to improve what you can. After you make progress, youāll gain confidence and self-respect.
5. Redefine your self-image
āArgue for your limitations and, sure enough, theyāre yours.ā
ā Richard Bach
Your self-image is how you perceive yourself. Your subconscious mind uses your thoughts of yourself to create your self-image. So, your way of thinking either improves or damages your self-image.
Itās imperative that you repair your mindset and conquer these destructive feelings.
These beliefs are not valid. Although, if you believe them, they will seem like theyāre correct. Furthermore, your thoughts will influence your actions to align with them. Therefore, if you think youāre a loser, youāll act like one.
You must be vigilant in not accepting negative labels. Celebrate the things you do right!
6. Be nicer to yourself
āYou are what you believe yourself to beā
āPaulo Coelho
Beating yourself up for every mistake will crush your soul and worsen your inferiority complex. Instead, treat yourself as you would a loved one. Calmly state that sometimes things donāt work out, but that doesnāt mean they never will. Dust yourself off, make a new plan, and go for it again.
Take care of yourself because, in the end, thatās all youāve got. No one will continually guide you through life. We must do that on our own.
Think positive thoughts about who you are at least two to three times every day. When you make a mistake, have self-compassion, and encourage yourself to keep going. Messing up wonāt take away your worth, but your thoughts will make you believe it.
7. Build confidence to destroy an inferiority complex
āWe have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.ā
ā Roderick Thorp
Itās helpful to get an attainable goal to work towards every day. As you build your skills and see your progress, you canāt help but become confident. So, confront your fears and push past your comfort zone. Prove to yourself how amazing you are!
Also, stop the āall or nothingā thinking and catastrophizing every situation. Things are never as bad or as good as you think.
Furthermore, stop minimizing your positive qualities. Acknowledge and embrace your best traits more than your perceived defects.
Your emotions take cues from your body language. As a result, you wonāt feel confident if youāre slouched and grimacing. Sit and stand straight, shoulders back, and take up space.
Also, replace any depressing self-talk with encouraging messages. Besides, the most important relationship youāll have in life is with yourself, so be nice!
8. Donāt compare yourself to others
āNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent.ā
ā Eleanor Roosevelt
If you catch yourself feeling jealous of someone. Realize that theyāre not superior to you, theyāre just different. Both of you are imperfect and unique.
Itās possible that while you envy someone, another person is jealous of you. Besides, you donāt know what anyone suffers from behind the scenes. If you were to transform into them one day, you might wish to go back to your old life.
Moreover, donāt tell yourself that everyone is living their dream life, and your life sucks.
Keep in mind that people only share their imaginary āperfectā lives on social media. Everyone has insecurities, problems, and drama. So, donāt believe what you seeāitās not real. They edit their photos and handpick their stories. Thus, itās ridiculous to compare yourself to that.
9. Stop worrying about othersā opinions of you
āA man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.ā
āMark Twain
Depending on peopleās approval will worsen your inferiority complex. Your worth does not fluctuate with the amount of acceptance you do or donāt receive. So, donāt put your self-worth in other peopleās hands.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want to live your life for somebody else?
- Is their approval worth sacrificing your happiness?
- Do you need their consent to enjoy your life?
Be proud when you try new things. That will give you the motivation to keep going, regardless of the result.
Also, donāt try to assume what people think of you. If you could see what theyāre thinking, youād find that theyāre more worried about themselves and their lives. They arenāt judging you. Besides, what they think of you doesnāt mean thatās who you are anyway.
Only what you believe about yourself matters.
10. Hang out with supportive people
āOnly surround yourself with people who lift you higher.ā
āOprah Winfrey
Toxic people worsen your inferiority complex. Nobody is worth that internal pain!
Let them wreck someone elseās life because you are on to better things.
Each time you put yourself in a situation with a toxic person, youāre harming your mental health.
Youāre far better off being in solitude, enjoying your hobbies, or learning something new. Also, youāre not āmissing outā on anything; youāre enjoying your time instead of weakening your mind.
On the other hand, youāll gain confidence when you hang around people that treat you with respect. Youāve got to do whatās best for your well-being. So, pay attention to how people make you feel. Then keep your distance from those that manipulate or embarrass you.
11.Ā Eliminate your inferiority complex by making yourself proud
āNothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.ā
What would make you proud of yourself? For example, you could start eating healthier, meditating, or working toward a goal.
However, your self-worth shouldnāt rely solely on your accomplishments. The fact is that sometimes things donāt work out how you want. Either way, believing that youāre always worthy will encourage you to try again or move on to something else.
Also, donāt focus on getting praised for everything you do. Do things to impress yourself.
In short, an inferiority complex will ruin anything you try to build. But you have the power to overcome this mindset, and doing so will dramatically change your life.
So, focus on your strengths and encourage yourself every day. Stop worrying about what others think of you. They arenāt worried about you anyway.
Also, seize the chance to subscribe (below)! That way, youāll get encouraging articles and freebies sent to you every week. Repetition is essential for change.
You can now let go of your insecurities and live the life you deserve! Also, let me know what you think about the inferiority complex in the comments!
Sheryl,
Thank you for yet another amazing verbal journey! This topic is quite complex and daunting, but you have mastered the art of breaking it into small digestible pieces. I especially enjoyed your angle on FOMO and surrounding yourself with people who treat you with respect. Very powerful messages, and so true!
Btw, I love my Motivated Progress shirt and iPhone case š
Thanks for motivating us all !
Best,
Trent
Thanks, Trent! Wow, your comment made my day! Iām glad you like the MP shirt and iPhone case. It looks like they are shipping much faster now. Iām glad!
I love the write up..thanks for the motivation..
Thank you, anytime! š
Thank you for sharing such an amazing post!
Inferiority complex is an issue faced by a lot of people. The tips you shared are eye-opener points and truly helpful.
Keep up the great writing! š
Thank you so much!
Succinct and to the point. My favorite is number 11. Always making myself proud as a way of crushing that inferiority complex whenever and however it strikes!
Thank you, Seif! Iām glad you liked it š