Am I Good Enough? – Understanding the Quiet Pressure Behind Self-Doubt

Have you ever had thoughts like:

• “I’m not doing enough with my life”
• “Everyone else has it all together except me”
• “I should be more successful by now”

Or maybe you've had days where you’ve felt anxious or low for no clear reason, constantly second - guessing yourself or feeling like you're falling short - despite working hard or doing your best.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
One of the most common reasons people come to therapy is because they feel “not good enough”. It’s something we don’t talk about much, but it’s there, quietly sitting behind a lot of anxiety, low mood, and self-doubt.

The Hidden Cost of Chasing “Enough”
We live in a fast-paced, comparison-heavy world. Social media, workplace pressure, and society’s focus on success can make it feel like we should always be doing more. For many people, this leads to a mindset of “I’ll be happy when…”

•  “I’ll be happy when I get the promotion”
• “I’ll be satisfied when I buy a house”
• “I’ll feel proud when I finish my degree”

But the problem is, even when those goals are reached, the sense of peace or fulfilment is often short-lived. There’s always another milestone, another ‘thing’ to chase. At inSync for life Psychology, we’ve worked with many people who appear to have it all - great jobs, happy families, full calendars - but inside, they’re still battling self-doubt and anxiety.

Where Does This Feeling Come From?

Often, these feelings have roots that go way back, sometimes as far as childhood. Many of us were praised for what we did - good grades, sporting success, talents - not for who we were - our kindness, sense of humour, or how we made others feel.
Without realising it, we learned to link our worth to achievement. Over time, we started believing, “I’m only good enough if I achieve something,” instead of knowing, deep down, “I’m good enough just as I am".

Sarah

Take Sarah*, a 36-year-old mum of two with a successful job in finance. She came to therapy feeling constantly exhausted, anxious, and like she was failing at everything. Despite being seen as a high achiever, she often said, “I just don’t feel like I’m enough - at work, as a parent, or even as a partner”.

In therapy, Sarah realised that her drive to succeed came from a fear of letting people down - something she’d felt since she was young. As a child, she only received attention when she was excelling. It was no surprise she grew into an adult always chasing the next win, hoping it would finally make her feel worthy.

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Breaking the Cycle

Step One:  Awareness
Start to notice your inner dialogue, your self-talk and how often it’s based on self-judgement or comparison.

Step Two: value who you are, not just what you do
This might mean focusing on your character, your intentions, or the way you treat others.

Step Three: check your goals
It’s okay to have goals. But your worth isn't defined by whether you tick them off. You are already “enough” - even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

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                                                                         Need a Little Support?

At Insync for life Psychology, we understand the quiet pressures people carry. Our experienced therapists are here to help you explore where these beliefs come from and how to rebuild your sense of worth from the inside out.
We offer professional, warm, down-to-earth counselling support in Bunbury, Perth and online.
If you’re ready to feel more grounded and more like you, get in touch with us today.

Contact us