“I’m not good enough”, “I’m not capable”, “I’m worthless”. These are all phrases that I commonly hear in my work as a psychologist. I have, however, noticed a rise in clients communicating such phrases, including those who normally do not struggle with feeling such a way.
As people adjust to a new normal, this new normal can bring about different ways we relate to ourselves and see ourselves. For some, new ways of working can be challenging and bring up feelings of incompetency. For others, not being able to engage in certain activities that provide a sense of achievement and enjoyment can lower their overall feeling of confidence. For others, engaging in increased comfort eating to cope with additional stress can bring up increased body dissatisfaction. For others, it can be social isolation that can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with the self. For many, struggling to adjust to the new normal can make them feel weak and inadequate.
COVID-19 has been impacting people in so many different ways. If you notice your overall sense of confidence and self-worth being lower, you are not alone. Small steps we take or don’t take can have significant differences in our level of confidence. Adjusting to this new normal may look like finding additional avenues to feel good about ourselves. Many have taken to new hobbies or projects as a way of feeling a sense of achievement or pleasure. For others, the pressure to find a new hobby may create additional stress and pressure, further emphasising feelings of weakness or adequacy as they struggle to find something to engage in.
In writing this blog, what I would encourage you to remember is that COVID-19 is challenging for us all, and struggling with confidence and feelings of inadequacy during this time is normal. Psychologists at the Centre for Effective Living understand this challenge and can work with you to find tailored ways to assist you with helping you restore your sense of self.
Michelle Dean (M Clin Psych, BA (Hons – First Class), brings her genuine care and compassion for people, along with her keen insight and analytical abilities to her work. Michelle is registered with Medicare and is also an approved practitioner in the NSW Workers Compensation System.
Through her various roles, she has developed a deep understanding of how these difficulties develop and impact on people in different life stages. Michelle has been able to assist her clients in developing skills to manage their anxiety and depression, along with enabling them to develop a healthy sense of self and greater self confidence. Michelle is a high calibre and compassionate professional and she is wonderful at being able to see the complexities of a clinical presentation and bring her therapeutic work down to a manageable and structured approach.