"لست متأكداً حقاً، لكنني أعتقد أنه قد يكون بسبب أنني لست كافياً."

It sounds like someone is struggling with self-doubt. They’re feeling like they don’t measure up, that they’re somehow lacking. This can be a tough place to be, but it’s a feeling many of us have experienced at one time or another.

Let’s step back a moment. Imagine you're sitting with a friend who just admitted, "I'm not really sure, but I think it might be that I'm just not enough.” You can see the weight of these words etched across their face. This isn't just a fleeting thought; it's a heavy, nagging feeling. Maybe they've faced repeated setbacks at work, or they're feeling overlooked in personal relationships. The core idea here is a deep sense of inadequacy, a belief that they don’t measure up in some fundamental way.

Historically, this feeling has been around for as long as people have been comparing themselves to others - which is to say, forever. Think about it: in ancient times, warriors might have felt inadequate compared to their stronger comrades. Today, social media doesn't help, bombarding us with images of seemingly perfect lives and flawless people. It’s easy to think, “Why don't I have what they have?”

Now, let’s bring in a real-life example. Picture a young woman named Sarah. Sarah’s a graphic designer who’s incredibly talented, but she’s constantly comparing her work to others in her field. She gets on Instagram, sees the polished portfolios and glowing client testimonials of her peers, and starts to feel like her own work is amateurish. She thinks, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this. Maybe I'm just not enough.” This self-doubt creeps into her day-to-day life, affecting her performance and her mental well-being.

So, how can we turn this around? First, it helps to recognize that everyone has these moments. It's not about never feeling inadequate; it's about how you respond to those feelings. One piece of advice is to celebrate small victories. Focus on your progress, not just your perceived shortcomings. If Sarah completes a project and her client is happy, that’s a win. She should take a moment to acknowledge it. Also, distancing oneself from constant comparison can be liberating. Maybe Sarah could limit her social media use or follow accounts that inspire rather than demoralize her.

Now, think about another scenario. Imagine a high school student named Jake who’s struggling with math. He’s convinced he’s just not good at it. Every test feels like a mountain, and each time he gets a grade lower than his friends, that nagging thought returns: “I’m just not enough.” But what if Jake sought out a tutor? What if, instead of internalizing every setback, he used them as stepping stones to ask for help and improve? Picture the moment when Jake finally grasps a tricky concept. That’s a powerful shift – from feeling inadequate to recognizing his own potential.

In essence, feeling like you're not enough is a deeply human experience. It’s part of our shared journey. But it doesn’t have to define you. By acknowledging your small wins, reducing harmful comparisons, and seeking support when needed, you can start to rewrite that internal script. After all, every one of us is a work in progress, and that’s more than enough.