You’ve created a list, you’ve checked it thrice. Your pack is full, your phone is charged. You are ready to go! So...you go.
You have a big goal for the day -- maybe it’s solo backpacking for the weekend, maybe it’s a day hike in a new area, maybe it’s your longest trail run. Whatever it is, it is something awesome and you are stoked about it. So...off you go!
Except, not yet.
Not because your gear isn’t ready. Not because you aren’t prepared. Not because you forgot something. Naw, you’re ready for this...everywhere except for in your own head.
You park at the trailhead but hesitate to get out of the car. As soon as you close that car door it is time to venture onto the trails and into the reality of what your big adventure is all about.
That’s exciting...but it is also crazy terrifying.
As you sit in your car, pretending to wait for a friend so no one else at the trailhead thinks you’re scared, you list off all the reasons this isn’t such a good idea.
Maybe you should have trained harder.
Maybe you could have packed lighter.
Maybe there is an easier trail to explore.
Maybe you should bring someone with you.
Maybe...maybe...maybe.
This is self doubt. This is something many of us feel on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s at the trailhead, sometimes it’s on the trail, sometimes it’s in front of your computer. It doesn’t matter where it happens...it’s normal.
On one level this doubt is essential to keep us in check. We need to know our boundaries, so we need to keep tabs on our actual skills, preparedness and choices. If self doubt only popped up when we were in a situation that genuinely required a self-check it would all be a-okay.
But self doubt isn’t that kind. Quite frankly, self doubt is never kind. It shows up when we are fully prepared and perfectly capable. It becomes that voice in the back of our head that scares us away from something completely attainable. Self doubt is incredibly inconsiderate and frustrating.
So, how do we keep self doubt in check? How do we ensure this doubt is there when we need it but under wraps when it is a hindrance?
Honestly -- I’m not sure. This is a constant struggle for me, but with time I have found a few techniques that work to keep the self doubt in check.
When self doubt creeps up and gets in your way right a list of all the ways that doubt is wrong. It can be a long letter to yourself or a quick checklist. I often put the doubt
Tell a Friend
Share your self doubt! Let your friends help you keep tabs on legitimate doubt vs harmful doubt. This is a great option if the list isn’t quite doing the trick. Slide into your friend’s DMs and let them know how you’re feeling. More often than not they’ll slide right back ‘atcha with a list of reasons you have got this!
Give Yourself a Way Out
Okay, so this might sound like succumbing to self doubt but it isn’t, at least not yet. If you’re having a chat with self doubt at the trailhead and really need to hit the trail offer that doubt a compromise. Tell your self doubt that you are going to go get after it, but if things are still too hard at
Self doubt is sneaky and very persuasive, but don’t let it dictate your adventures! Spend some time thinking on where it is coming from and work to keep it at bay. With time this gets easier. You’ll find tactics that work for you and techniques that you can share with others.
Side Note // All those cross country skiing photos? Yea, they were all taken on a variety of outings where I *seriously* doubted my ability to survive on two slippery sticks! But I did it...with the help of the three techniques I mentioned above. With time and effort I'm getting more confident on skis!
