Inferiority Feeling - How to Overcome It

[Submitted CA. Harpreet Singh,
Chartered Accountant,
Delhi]

February 9, 2009

1. It's important to bear in mind that every human being in this world is different, and no two faces or bodies are the same. Your 'inferiority' as you may refer to it can also be seen as a unique or individual quality. What makes you feel these things are 'inferior' to everyone else? If there is no norm amongst human beings, how can there possibly be any form of inferiority?. Don't give the power of influencing your thoughts to people that don't care about you.
    
2. Understand that most people aren't out there to judge you. Out of everyone you see, most don't care or know about how poorly you did on your last math test, or how you've gained a little weight since last summer.
    
3. Seriously consider just what is so 'inferior'. If you have a complex about a specific body part, such as your arms, legs, feet, or hands, think hard about what exactly makes them 'inferior' to everyone else, and write this on paper if it helps. Seriously think about the logic of these things. You're not going to get stopped in the street for having what you think of as 'inferior' hands or feet.
    
4. Think about what it is you are really afraid of. What is it you fear will happen, upon the revealing of your inferiority to everyone else? Do you fear people looking, or making comments? These are all valid worries but bear in mind - everyone is different. Any comments you receive are invalid and must be ignored at all costs. It's absolutely certain there is something they think is wrong with them too.
    
5. If you find your inferiority difficult to deal with, enlist the help of a friend. Good friends will help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. For limbs it may be to eventually be able to walk around in shorts (for leg complexes). Good friends will tell you the truth, and you can work together on ways to make you feel better about yourself. If you find it difficult to talk with friends, ask them if they ever feel inferior, and you may be surprised how worried people get.
    
6. REMEMBER, you are NOT alone!
    
7. See a counselor. If you are male and feel 'inferior', and cannot seriously enlist the help of a friend for whatever reason, remember all of the above, and perhaps you can talk to a counselor if need be. If you have a girlfriend/wife or close friend who is female, they can also help you. Don't reject their help because they are female, they could be better sources of information than fellow men.
    
8. If it helps, examine other people (not obvious staring.) How do they react to their body? How do they show themselves? Do they have a similar body type to you? This could really help you reach your goals.
    
9. Respect yourself. Look in the mirror and give yourself compliments. If you don't respect yourself, who will?
    

10. To be really happy all the time is not only impossible but unrealistic, but you can make a conscious effort to be happy all the time. However, to be really happy you need to accept yourself for who you are. Listen, nobody is perfect.
     

    • Check this out - any time you enter a room full of people, I bet you get easily attracted to and (I am sure) a bit jealous of those you see laughing or smiling and making the rounds...don't you? Truth be told, there is nothing special about them. They just forgot all about themselves and what people think about them. Be one of those people!
       
11. Spend time thinking about your strengths (everyone has them) and you will find yourself more happy, and also more confident!
     
12. Lastly, don't concentrate too much on yourself. Get interested in others and you will see all your fears and worries which make you sad melt away.
     
13. Happiness is beautiful. A smile is much more beautiful then a frown.
     

Tips

1. Every human being is different!
    
2. Think about why you feel you/certain parts of you are inferior? Write this down, think about this logically, and talk to friends or family.
    
3. There is no 'normal' human being, and no 'normal' framework for a human being. Accept your differences in a positive manner. For instance "Yeah, I have big feet, but that's what makes me me!"
    
4. Don't think of your differences as inferiorities; class them as unique qualities that make you who you are. If it wasn't for those things, you'd be a generic, boring clone with no unique traits.
    
5. If you are overweight, underweight, short, or tall to the point that others see you as inferior due to those traits, throw their insults right back at them as jokes. Not only will you confuse them, you will make yourself laugh, and therefore feel better about your uniqueness.
    
6. Accept who you are!
    
7. Smile every day!!
    
8. Try hard
    
9. It may seem other people are perfect, but really, they have their own differences
    

Warnings

1. If your inferiority is physical, avoid looking in the mirror too much in the first stages. You will be constantly reminding yourself, and this helps nothing.
    
2. Never refer to your differences as inferiorities!
    
3. Never listen to anyone who puts you down.
    
4. If others make fun of you, laugh with them.
    
5. Don't joke with others about things that truly affect your self-esteem. If you're particularly sensitive about your weight, avoid joking with friends, as this leads them to believe they can do it too.

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