I am enough

Conscientiousness is an appealing character trait, but even minor tasks can start to feel overwhelming if the attention you dedicate to them is disproportionate to their importance. It’s great to set the bar high, but if feeling good about yourself requires you giving everything 100 per cent – whether it’s important or not – you can feel like a hamster on a wheel.

It may be that ‘being the best’ brought you attention growing up, and you’re well aware that your self-image is still too dependent on external approval. But are you also aware of how much of your headspace and energy is consumed by your compulsion to be seen as ‘good’ at everything you do, leaving you constantly questioning how you can be better? Even admitting that you are struggling can feel like a failure, as you may think you ‘should’ be able to cope, especially if there’s someone at hand to aspire or compare yourself to. No doubt you’ve even added ‘feeling confident’ to the list of things you need to be better at. But the irony is that confidence flourishes when you embrace your true self, flaws and all. Your personal confidence-boosting mantra is ‘I am enough’ – because, the truth is, you are.