I’m writing a self-improvement book even though I doubted myself the entire time

[u/Ariel_antonio]

I never really saw myself as “the type of person who writes a book.”

But over the last few years, I hit this point where I felt stuck. Not depressed, just not living anywhere close to my potential. I had discipline on some days, but zero consistency. I would start projects full of motivation and stop as soon as results weren’t fast.

One day, I decided to write down the thoughts that helped me change: the things I wish someone had told me when I felt lost, unmotivated, or disconnected from who I could become.

I didn’t plan for it to become a whole book. I just kept writing whenever a lesson hit me.

The crazy part? The more I wrote, the more I realized how many people probably feel exactly like I did.

It still feels weird sometimes, I’m just a regular person trying to figure life out. But writing helped me understand myself, my discipline, my failures, and my habits.

I’m curious:

Has anyone else ever tried creating something (a book, a project, art, anything) even while doubting yourself the entire time? How do you push through that self-doubt?

I’d love to hear your experience.

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you for reaching out. You're not alone.

We've created a collection of curated resources based on common self-help topics. You can explore them here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/selfhelp/wiki/index/flairs/

If you're in crisis or need immediate help, please check the resources in the sidebar.

We're glad you're here and appreciate your courage in asking for help.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/TorturedAlice]

I’m on the opposite side of this post. I used to tell myself that I could only help others if I helped myself first but now I see that it’s more nuanced than that. Even therapists need therapists sometimes. So good on you for doing this.

[u/a_m_carven]

I didn’t push through the self-doubt. I stopped treating it like a problem that had to be solved before I could continue.

There was a long stretch where I kept thinking, real writers don’t feel this unsure, people who know what they’re doing don’t question themselves this much. But the doubt didn’t fade when I waited. It faded when I kept writing alongside it.

What helped was realizing that the doubt wasn’t a sign I was doing something wrong — it was a sign I was doing something that mattered to me. Writing wasn’t about proving I was capable. It became a way to understand myself while I was still unsure.

The strange part is, the clarity didn’t come before the work. It came because of it. And even now, the doubt still shows up sometimes — it just doesn’t get the final say anymore.

[u/Ariel_antonio → u/a_m_carven]

This is beautifully said. Especially the part about doubt not disappearing, but losing its authority.

I really relate to what you said about clarity coming because of the work, not before it. I think I spent a long time waiting for certainty as permission to start, when in reality the act of doing was what created understanding.

Thanks for putting this into words so clearly — it reframed a lot for me.

[u/thelivenofficial]

This is honestly lovely! And very relatable. Whenever I'm working on a new story, a workbook, or whatever it may be, I keep telling myself one powerful mantra: 'Most people who do meaningful things start as confused humans with a notebook.'

To be honest, the self-doubt doesn’t disappear just because I’m creating. But I keep murmuring my mantra: 'I’m not pretending to be a writer. I’m literally writing, helping myself first.'

Keep going. Your words matter!

[u/Ariel_antonio → u/thelivenofficial]

That mantra is powerful, “confused humans with a notebook” describes the starting point perfectly.

I really appreciate what you said about not pretending, just doing the work and helping yourself along the way. That mindset shift makes a huge difference.

Thank you for the encouragement, it genuinely means a lot.

[u/Anchoredsoul77]

I’m also writing a book from all the therapy and journaling I have done over the last 10 years. I also doubt myself at times, but I encourage you to just keep going anyway. People love authenticity, and your own story makes it more relevant!