These 7 warning signs indicate that you’re running low on confidence

Confidence can make or break things for us. You can have all the talent in the world and hone your skills too but if you lack confidence,  there’s a huge chance you’ll miss out on being successful. On the other hand, a confident individual will be able to achieve their goals with relative ease.

There are many causes that can lead to low confidence:

1. Childhood trauma
2. Having issues with how you look
3. Self-doubt
4. The habit of comparing yourself with others
5. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, a lack of confidence at a young age can lead to mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression in the future. In addition, a low level of confidence hampers the productivity of a person on the professional front too.

The dangerous part is that in this new age of technology, social media and the internet function a trigger that pulls down one’s confidence level. This observation has been noted in a study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene as well.

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The thing is that it is very hard to pinpoint at the exact cause of low confidence. Knowing certain signs, however, might help you figure out what might be causing a blow to your confidence. 

Here are 7 signs that point to the fact that you lack confidence:

1. Being constantly apologetic

There’s no doubt that one should apologise for their wrongdoings but people who lack confidence do it even when they aren’t at fault. This happens because of a combination of self-doubt and the lack of courage to defend themselves.

2. Social withdrawal

People with low confidence tend to isolate themselves socially because they think that they don’t fit in with any community. The negative self-perception is a major contributing factor behind this.

3. Sticking to the same old routine

People who lack confidence find it tremendously hard to change or take up a new challenge. The first thought is of failure instead of taking into account the fact that overcoming challenges bring along opportunities.

4. Seeking approval from others

The problem is that the people with low confidence don’t trust their own judgment. Hence, they seek approval from others in order to make decisions that affect them.

5. Taking things too personally

People who lack confidence tend to take even constructive criticism personally, assuming that others are demeaning their skills. They become aggressive and extremely emotional. This can prove to be a real hindrance in their overall growth.

6. Blaming others

People lacking confidence don’t want to hold themselves responsible for anything. Hence, they develop a defence mechanism which entails shifting the blame to others. It doesn’t just affect their mental growth but personal relationships as well.

7. Avoiding eye-contact

Actually, people lacking self-confidence become uncomfortable while making eye-contact and instead of looking at the person they are talking to, they tend to look down or around which might portray them as disinterested.

The good part is that confidence is something that can be built over a period of time with the right steps!