Believing in Yourself & Overcoming Self-Doubt

Dear SOAR with Mentor Community,

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how one of the greatest drivers of success is self-belief, the courage to push past doubts and step into the unknown. In a field as demanding as STEM, many of us, especially young women, may struggle with self-doubt, questioning whether we truly belong. But I’m here to tell you: you do belong, and you are capable of more than you think.

I won’t pretend it’s easy. As someone who has battled severe OCD and moments of intense self-doubt, I know how paralyzing those thoughts can be. There were many times I questioned whether I could make it. When I applied to SOAR with Mentor, I didn’t expect much. I had (and still have) big dreams, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready. Yet through this program, I’ve grown in ways I never imagined.

I’ve stepped into challenges I once found intimidating, like becoming a judge for Girls Who Game (huge thanks to the incredible Katina and Maggie for that opportunity!). I remember feeling unsure, thinking, How am I going to do this? But I chose to believe in myself, to keep pushing forward. And guess what? Through that experience, I gained confidence, new perspectives, and a sense of accomplishment that I never would have had if I had let self-doubt hold me back.

I share this because I know many of us hesitate to take up space in communities like this one. We wonder if we have anything valuable to contribute. But the truth is, you do! Your voice matters. Your experiences, no matter how small they may seem, are worth sharing.

So if you’re holding back because of self-doubt, I encourage you: take that step anyway. Share your thoughts. Take on new challenges. Believe that you are capable. Because most of the time, the biggest thing standing between you and your dreams is you. And once you start believing in yourself, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.

If you ever struggle with self-doubt like I do, I highly recommend this TED talk:
How To Eliminate Self Doubt Forever & The Power of Your Unconscious Mind | Peter Sage | TEDxPatras

Let’s keep soaring together! 💙✨