How Do You Deal with Self Doubt?

[tezmouse]

So I wasn't quite sure where to put this.. but general questions seemed like the best bet. Sorry if it's in the wrong spot!

I'm very new to this forum, hi, I'm Tez. -waves- I'm also very new to witchcraft and paganism in general, compared to a lot of folks. However, for a good amount of time now, I've been really struggling with self-doubt about my practices. I've asked for help and advice on several different platforms (in a closed FB group, on tumblr), but I'm still doubting.

I want to practice. It used to fill me with joy and excitement reading up on rituals and watching them on Youtube. But growing up Christian, I think, has definitely affected me. I was Christian for 17 years before I set off on my own path, but I've always wondered, "What if I am wrong? Am I crazy? Is this crazy?" I worry about people judging me, which leads to me judging me. I want to get an altar set up for Loki and Sigyn, and maybe a seasonal altar, but as I sketch ideas out in a notebook, this nagging doubt just pokes at me.

I believe this path is right for me. I just don't know how to get back those feelings I once had, or how to shake this doubt. Have any of you ever struggled with self-doubt, and if so, how do you deal with it? How did you overcome it?

-Tez

[SnowCat]

The path isn't always easy. Especially a path with Loki. I learned from him, earlier this year, that many of the events of my life have been lessons from Loki. People are always going to judge you. With or without a reason. Just relax and follow what you feel called to.

Snow

[Katiara]

No matter your path there will be moments when you question, or doubt. It happens to everyone, whether it is religious views, clothing choices, career choices. At the end of the day the only one who you need to satisfy is yourself. When I struggle with questioning a decision (or when I am trying to work out a question) I journal. I write a list of pros and cons etc. But in this case I would try to search out through meditation or journaling or whatever you favorite outlet is, the root of the doubt. Is it a lingering uncertainty? Is it a doubt in your own ability? Is it questioning whether a deity is real to you? and so on. If you are unsure of a deity and if they are the right one, call out to them, ask for guidance, ask for encouragement, ask for signs. Spend more time trying to connect to your chosen deity(ies).

The only certainties in life we have is being born, living this life to the fullest and dying. Everything above and beyond that is the walk of faith and hope.... Everyone questions their beliefs, even Christians are uncertain. If the Christian mindset of anything not biblical is evil/ send you to hell, here is my opinion: I think you create your own hell, or heaven based on how you live your life... The ancient Egyptians believed their heart would be weighed against a feather... meaning we are meant to live not in fear, not with guilt, but with confidence, and joy and happiness. Hopefully I haven't rambled on too badly here ( it is late).

[MsMollimizz]

When I started doubting myself due to the fact I fought
social security for 10yrs to get approved. Can you imagine
how that felt doing spell after spell the whole 10yrs. I
really began doubting myself.
Altho, with the first lawyer, I did a doosie of a spell...
Last part of spell was to put paperwork in mailbox to him.
I get back from mailbox and his secretary is on phone !
He pushed me off to someone else who understood
stuff more. that's what I got for getting a local one !
I put my nose deeper into every book I could get my
hands on ! It really helped, and re-reading once you
place a spell, it's better to forget it and let the spell
work; the more you think about it the more the energy
is pulled from it making it less potent.
There's my two-cents !
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz

[Soul]

Tez, Merry Meet!
Thanks for sharing about your struggle with doubt. I will confirm to you that coming from a Xian background can indeed have a negative effect. Not only does Xianity typically teach sin and guilt, that being human is not good enough, also leaving Xianity can result in self-doubt. Your questions are quite understandable, and common among former Xians -- especially those who seek a spiritual path that is often judged negatively by Xianity.

How to cope with self-doubt is a good question. One way is what you're doing, by interacting on this site with other forum members. Another way is to find an accountability partner or life coach, someone like that (who understands your experience). Maybe you can find someone on this site. Make an arrangement to check in with that person periodically and tell them your progress. They can encourage and motivate you toward your next step. For example, you want to build an altar. You need to decide on a space, and various materials to put it together. Then you need to add the symbols and other elements. Ask an established person here to help you measure your progress. Determine a reasonable amount of time for each step of the project, and commit to checking in with that person to report your progress. I would offer to help in that way, but I am a novice at actual practice (although I've inquired and read about Paganism for many years). You need someone with experience and maturity in Paganism.

Btw, I was born into Xianity and left it at age 51. My Xian experience was not typical, but it was still tethered or rooted in the orthodox traditional and cultural forms typical to western Xianity. I know well of the thoughts and feelings you mention, in relation to leaving Xianity and openly embracing Paganism.

I wish you progress and success in your spiritual journey.

BB,
Soul

So I wasn't quite sure where to put this.. but general questions seemed like the best bet. Sorry if it's in the wrong spot!

I'm very new to this forum, hi, I'm Tez. -waves- I'm also very new to witchcraft and paganism in general, compared to a lot of folks. However, for a good amount of time now, I've been really struggling with self-doubt about my practices. I've asked for help and advice on several different platforms (in a closed FB group, on tumblr), but I'm still doubting.

I want to practice. It used to fill me with joy and excitement reading up on rituals and watching them on Youtube. But growing up Christian, I think, has definitely affected me. I was Christian for 17 years before I set off on my own path, but I've always wondered, "What if I am wrong? Am I crazy? Is this crazy?" I worry about people judging me, which leads to me judging me. I want to get an altar set up for Loki and Sigyn, and maybe a seasonal altar, but as I sketch ideas out in a notebook, this nagging doubt just pokes at me.

I believe this path is right for me. I just don't know how to get back those feelings I once had, or how to shake this doubt. Have any of you ever struggled with self-doubt, and if so, how do you deal with it? How did you overcome it?

-Tez

[tezmouse]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I've kinda dropped off this forum, which relates in part to a thread I recently posted (man, I gotta find some more uplifting things to post).

[MsMollimizz]

.

I just don't know how to get back those feelings I once had
-Tez

Tez,
It's my opinion that once you have an awesome experience
that feeling does not happen again...
You may feel a sense of wonder again, but it too will also
be different.
Our mind makes way for new feelings, new thoughts, and
new experiences; all that will feel different.
We need to bring our emotions into what we do, that helps
us as we work our magick. Still, all-in-all each event in our
lives will feel different.
So please, Tez, stop looking for that feeling to feel again,
it won't come. Just continue in your research to see what
resonates with you. Take parts of this and parts of that and
make it your own. I'm going out on a limb here but, it may
be hard to find two people here that have the same path
unless they study together.
Gentle Green Light
MsMollimizz

[Myrth]

I agree with you, MsMollimizz.