Although we all may suffer from common inner conflicts such as impostor syndrome, fear of failure, procrastination, self-doubt, and comparing ourselves with others’ experiences, many people silently deal with these inner conflicts. These mental battles can also impact our mental health & wellbeing, and even though we may speak openly about the topic, discussions often go no further than that.
Read more: Psychology of the Dark Empath Uncovered
Imposter Syndrome:
Feeling like a fraud when it’s clear someone else has evidence that they have above-average competence and experience in the fields they are active in. Many have made important contributions, yet often say it was all luck, that they were just “at the right place, at the right time.
“What’s Going On?
This often refers to as impostor syndrome and comparison anxiety. You feel like you are not doing enough, even when you are trying your best.
Psychology Explains:
Low self-esteem often starts in childhood. Add the social media pressure on top of that, and now you feel “less than.”
Fear of failure:
Often produces paralysis as there are risks involved with working towards any goal. Fear of failure could be due to previous experiences, internalizing negative self-talk, feelings of self-worth, or external pressures.
Brief Fact:
73% of individuals under age 25 report overthinking regularly.
Short Trick:
The next time you feel your thoughts spiraling, ask yourself:
“Will this matter in 5 days? 5 months? 5 years?”
If the answer is ‘No’, take a breath and let it go.
Procrastination:
Most everyone is familiar at some level with procrastination, and it can cause major problems, yet it often exists for a good reason. Many wish to achieve a task and are committed; however, valuable time is lost due to putting it off, thinking about it, using excuses, etc.
Why We Feel This Way:
We wear masks. We’re scared of what it means to be too real, too deep, and too emotional.
So we remain surface-level. But underneath it all, we enjoy the connection.
Real Talk:
61% of people feel lonely when they are with others (Cigna Study).
What helps?
Keep it simple. Start with one honest conversation.
Real connection starts when we stop putting on a mask.
Self-Doubt:
A lack of belief in our abilities, decisions, and overall worthiness. A signal of potential self-doubt is likely when it results in frequent second-guessing, convincing oneself over self from other experts, and repeating forms of negative self-talk or assumptions.
What Psychology Says?
Bottled emotions don’t vanish. They morph into anxiety, anger, or physical illness.
Crazy Fact:
People who fake happiness all the time have a 30% higher chance of anxiety and fatigue.
Real Fix:
Stop saying “I’m fine” when you’re not.
Share with someone how you’re doing.
To be vulnerable is not weakness, it’s strength.
Comparative Analysis:
Due to the availability of social media and being that we live in the age of constant supervision, comparative evaluations are easy, especially since people know on some level it isn’t attractive.
Truth Bomb:
That’s called people-pleasing. Most of the time, it’s rooted in childhood patterns, where love felt conditional.
Numbers Don’t Lie:
More than 50% of people will admit that they commit to things for the sole purpose of avoiding conflict/rejection.
What to Do:
Decline something that drains you, once a day.
Treat your peace like a phone battery, protect it!
You have permission to let other people down if you’re not disappointing yourself.
Real-Life Case Study: Ahsan’s Inner Struggle
Ahsan was a young person who was working a corporate job in Islamabad. Outwardly, he was doing well. Internally, he was burned out and completely exhausted.
He felt like an impostor – pretending to love his job, covering his stress, always saying yes. He stopped enjoying life altogether. Hence, one day, he had a panic attack.
So, with the help of a psychologist, Ahsan became aware that he was stuck in all 5 inner struggles:
- Self-doubt
- Overthinking
- Avoiding pain
- People-pleasing
- Feeling emotionally disconnected
His story illustrates: True strength comes when you learn to stop pretending and begin healing.
Why This Matters
- We all post highlight reels, but everyone misses the bloopers.
- Just because someone appears okay, doesn’t mean they are okay.
- You are not weak for struggling.
- You are not dramatic for feeling things deeply.
- You’re not broken.
- You are human, and that is enough.
Crazy Facts & Quotes You Need to Know
Your inner world deserves a little love, too.
Fun Psychological Facts
Your brain treats emotional pain the same as physical pain.
– This is why heartbreak feels like pain. MRI scans show that the same area of the brain lights up when being rejected and being hurt.
Smiling, even if it is fake, can trick your brain into feeling happier.
– Smiling activates the release of dopamine and serotonin: the “feel-good” chemicals.
Unspoken emotions are stored in your body’s tissues.
– Psychologists say, “The body keeps the score.” If you suppress feelings of sadness or anger, your body stores it and can manifest as symptoms like headaches or body stiffness, digestive issues.
Loneliness is more deadly than obesity.
– Studies found that social disconnection increases the risk of early death. Kernels should be defined here if there are issues or lead to the cortex by as much as 29%.
What you say “no” can increase confidence.
– Every time you say no to something that drains your energy, your self-esteem is slowly built.
Writing down what you think for ~10 minutes a day can lower stress levels.
– Journaling your thoughts and feelings can help organize emotions, calm the overthinking mind, and develop some insight.
Last Thought:
Many people endure silent battles in their minds. Some of these battles are tied to self-doubt, fear of rejection, or traumatic past experiences. Many times, we smile at the world on the outside while feeling broken on the inside. Psychologists maintain that not expressing our emotions increases our internal stress. The stress is cumulative and can eventually lead us to some level of anxiety or depression. It is essential to understand that the vast majority of people are suffering in some way. Even if they appear fine, they are feeling pain. Talking about your hidden emotions helps the brain release some of the tension that builds up, but also pushes back some of the feelings of isolation.
Your mind is like a garden in the sense that if you leave it neglected (self-doubt, fear, and overthinking), it will become an overgrown mess; if you water it with kindness, honesty, and presence, then you will flourish.
