Why do I feel like I can't trust my own judgment?
Identity & Self-Worth
Self-doubt often develops from gaslighting, criticism, or environments where your perceptions were consistently invalidated or questioned.
Difficulty trusting your own judgment often develops from experiences where your perceptions, feelings, or decisions were consistently questioned, dismissed, or invalidated. This might have happened in childhood with parents who told you that your feelings were wrong, or in Interpersonal relationship where gaslighting made you question your own reality. Over time, this external invalidation becomes internalized, creating chronic self-doubt about your ability to make good decisions or accurately perceive situations. identity/perfectionism-how-to-let-go" class="internal-link">perfectionist tendencies can also contribute to this pattern - if you believe you should always make the right choice, any mistake can feel like evidence that your judgment is fundamentally flawed. You might find yourself constantly seeking others' opinions or approval before making decisions, even about things that only affect you. This can be exhausting and prevents you from developing identity development/building-confidence" class="internal-link">self-confidence in your own decision-making abilities. Anxiety disorder can also interfere with trusting your judgment by creating worst-case scenario thinking that makes every decision feel potentially catastrophic. The truth is that everyone makes mistakes and poor decisions sometimes - this is part of learning and growing, not evidence of flawed judgment. Your intuition and decision-making abilities are likely more reliable than you think. Start rebuilding trust in yourself by making small, low-stakes decisions without seeking external validation. Notice when your decisions turn out well, and give yourself credit for good choices. Practice distinguishing between Anxiety disorder-driven thoughts and genuine intuition. Keep a decision journal to track your choices and their outcomes - you'll likely find that your judgment is better than you think. Remember that there's rarely one perfect choice, and most decisions can be adjusted or changed if needed. Trust that you have the wisdom and capability to navigate your own life.