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Embrace Your Inner Wisdom: How Trusting Yourself Transforms Your Life

Janet Zavala • July 15, 2024

Living with a lack of self-trust can be exhausting. It leads to missed opportunities, unhealthy relationships, and a constant feeling of inadequacy. Discover how to break free and start trusting yourself.

Trusting yourself is an important part of feeling confident and strong in your decisions. But what does it really mean to trust yourself? How can you learn to listen to your inner voice and make choices that feel right for you?


In this blog post, we’ll explore what it means to trust yourself, why it’s so important, and how you can start building this trust today.


What Does It Mean to Trust Yourself?

Trusting yourself means believing in your own thoughts, feelings, and abilities. It means knowing that you can handle whatever comes your way.


When you trust yourself, you feel more confident and capable. You are more likely to take risks and try new things because you believe in your ability to succeed. You also know that there is no such thing as failure. When you F.A.I.L. you know it is really your “First Attempt In Learning”


The Benefits of Trusting Yourself


  1. Increased Confidence: When you trust yourself, you feel more confident in your decisions and actions. You don’t second-guess yourself as much, which makes you feel more sure of your choices.
  2. Better Decision Making: Trusting yourself helps you make decisions that are in line with your values and goals. You are more likely to make choices that are right for you, rather than trying to please others. (Check out my previous blog post on “Authentic Empowerment” to ensure you are aligning your decisions with what is most meaningful to you).
  3. Greater Resilience: When you trust yourself, you are better able to handle setbacks and challenges. You believe in your ability to overcome difficulties, which makes you more resilient in the face of adversity.
  4. Improved Relationships: Trusting yourself can also improve your relationships with others. When you are confident in yourself, you are more likely to set healthy boundaries and communicate effectively.



The Downsides of Not Trusting Yourself

When you don’t trust yourself, you may experience a variety of negative consequences.


  1. Indecision: Not trusting yourself can lead to indecision and second-guessing. You may struggle to make choices and feel unsure of your decisions.
  2. Anxiety: A lack of self-trust can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress. You may worry about making the wrong decision or not being good enough.
  3. Low Self-Esteem: Not trusting yourself can affect your self-esteem. You may feel less confident in your abilities and doubt your worth.
  4. Dependence on Others: When you don’t trust yourself, you may rely too much on others for validation and guidance. This can make you feel less independent and more dependent on others’ opinions.


Elements of Self-Trust


To build self-trust, it's important to focus on different areas of your life:


  1. Trust in Your Intuition: Listen to your gut feelings and inner voice. Your intuition can guide you toward what feels right for you. (Keep reading to get access to a powerful tool I created just for you to distinguish your fear from your intuition).
  2. Trust in Your Abilities: Believe in your skills and talents. Know that you have the capability to achieve your goals.
  3. Trust in Your Decisions: Have confidence in your choices. Understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and growing.
  4. Trust in Your Worth: Recognize your value and worth as a person. Know that you are deserving of good things in life.


How to Tell the Difference Between Fear and Intuition


It can be challenging to distinguish between fear and intuition, but understanding the difference is crucial for making confident decisions.


  1. Intuition Feels Calm: Intuitive thoughts often come with a sense of calm and clarity. They feel right and make sense even if you can’t explain why.
  2. Fear Feels Anxious: Fear-based thoughts are usually accompanied by anxiety and worry. They often create a sense of urgency and dread.
  3. Intuition is Persistent: Your intuition will consistently guide you in a certain direction, while fear can be more erratic and fluctuate.
  4. Fear is Based on the Past: Fear often stems from past experiences or future uncertainties, while intuition is focused on the present moment and what feels right now.


By paying attention to these differences, you can start to trust your intuition more and recognize when fear is trying to hold you back. 


Shhhhh I have an exclusive BONUS just for readers of this blog post 🡺 Send an email directly to
Janet@JanetZavalaCoaching.com with “Intuition” in the subject line to get a “Not Available Anywhere Else resource” - Distinguishing Fear from Intuition Workbook.


Actionable Steps on How to Increase Self-Trust

Increasing self-trust requires consistent effort and mindfulness. Start with these actionable steps to begin developing a deeper confidence in your abilities.


  1. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would offer to a friend.
  2. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. This helps build your confidence and reinforces your belief in yourself.
  3. Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for yourself. Accomplishing these goals can help you build trust in your abilities.
  4. Reflect on Your Successes: Take time to reflect on past successes and how you achieved them. This can remind you of your strengths and capabilities.
  5. Learn from Mistakes: Instead of dwelling on mistakes, view them as learning opportunities. Understand what went wrong and how you can improve in the future.
  6. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences: Spend time with people who support and encourage you. Positive influences can boost your confidence and help you feel more secure in yourself.


Here are some additional resources that I personally find helpful


  1. Books:
  • "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown
  1. Websites:
  1. Podcasts:
  • "Unlocking Us" by Brené Brown


By trusting yourself, you can unlock a new level of confidence and capability. Remember, building self-trust is a journey, and it’s okay to take small steps. Start today by listening to your inner voice and believing in your own worth. You’ve got this!


Have you felt empowered to finally trust yourself? Let me know in the comments what actionable step you're most excited to try. And if you found this blog helpful, be sure to share it with someone who might need it too.


P.S. Don't forget to send an email directly to Janet@JanetZavalaCoaching.com with "Intuition" in the subject line to get your copy of the "Distinguishing Fear from Intuition Workbook.


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