Why Change Can Stir Up Self-Doubt

Change can bring excitement, uncertainty, and a surprising amount of self-doubt. Learn why transition can make you second-guess yourself and how to keep moving without waiting to feel fully ready.

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Lately, I’ve been in a season of big change.

We’ve been settling into a new life in Dublin, and even small things, like empty bookcases, blank walls, and waiting on our shipment from California, have reminded me how disorienting change can be, even when it’s wanted. I know I don’t need my Kitchenaid mixer, but I really like having it.

So yes, my Zoom background has been a bit sparse in my calls.

But honestly, it hasn’t bothered me that much. I know we’re all at some stage of change and transition. And modeling what it feels like to be mid-stream is important to me as a coach.

I also think it’s worth saying plainly that change can be… bumpy. Tough. Wizzle skizzle (I made that word up but let’s go with it). All of the above.

For me, my attention has been split in a dozen different directions as we put down new roots. We’ve been exploring our new city, visiting family on the west coast of Ireland, and making our new place feel like home. I’ve had up days and down days, easy days and days that have felt isolating as we meet new people.

It’s been a full plate.

Because truthfully, change almost always comes with discomfort, internal readjustment, and expansion. Even if it's exciting, it can still feel destabilizing.

Related Post→ What Self-Doubt Sounds Like as a Business Owner

I’m also seeing a lot of change for my clients, driven both by outside circumstances and the personal need for growth. Almost always, those are happening at the same time.

Maybe you relate to this?

Maybe you’re excited about transitioning from a corporate role into starting a new business, while also worrying about news that a loved one is ill.

Or perhaps you’re experimenting with new and exciting ways of being a parent or caregiver, while also coping with your biggest client walking out the door with a chunk of your revenue.

Most of my clients come to me for help navigating the uncertainty of the first type of change, usually a new or expanding business, but we inevitably talk about the second. I say “inevitably,” but I also mean “meaningfully.”

Because our relationship to change runs deep, and it matters to just about everything.

Why change often stirs up self-doubt

There is a growing body of psychology and adjacent research suggesting that change, uncertainty, role transitions, and identity disruption can all intensify self-doubt.

That makes sense to me as there is a lot of emerging research suggesting that self-doubt is often exacerbated by change.

And one of the most common side effects of that is taking refuge in waiting.

Waiting until you know more, waiting until all your ducks are in a row, waiting until someone who knows what they’re doing can show you how it’s done right

Related Post→ How to Work with Indecision

This creates a cycle where we feel quite alone in it all, searching everywhere for the “best” and “right” answer that never seems to arrive on time. It can be pretty discouraging and almost feel like evidence that you’re on the wrong path (because it looks so much easier for everyone else).

If this feels familiar, please know it’s almost certainly a rut and not your fate.

Getting out of a rut just requires doing something different. Because we will never be able to wait long enough to feel safe.

1. First, self-doubt may be part of the transition. It is not always proof that you’re making the wrong choice.

2. Second, notice where you may be taking refuge in waiting. More information is not always what’s needed. Sometimes what’s needed is support, perspective, or one small act that interrupts the loop.

3. Third, let support count. Change can feel intensely isolating, and things often become more workable when they’re shared. A trusted friend, colleague, therapist, or coach can help you reality-check the story your mind is telling and stay connected to yourself while things feel unsettled.

4. And finally, aim for the next step, not the perfect step or the biggest step.

Sometimes what helps most is one honest conversation, one imperfect decision, one small action that breaks the spell of waiting.

Change can shake your confidence, yes. But it can also be the place where deeper self-trust gets built.

Support yourself

If you’re in a season of change and finding yourself stuck in self-doubt, coaching can help you sort through the noise, reconnect with what matters, and move forward with more self-trust.
You can learn more about working together here

• Why does change make me doubt myself?

  Change disrupts what is familiar. Even positive change can unsettle your routines, identity, and sense of competence, which can make self-doubt louder.

• Is it normal to feel uncertain during a life or business transition?

  Yes. Uncertainty is one of the most common features of change. It does not necessarily mean you’re making the wrong decision.

• Why do I keep waiting instead of moving forward?

  Waiting often feels protective. Your mind may be trying to reduce risk by seeking more certainty, more proof, or more preparedness before you act.

• Can positive change still trigger self-doubt?

  Absolutely. Starting a business, becoming a parent, changing roles, moving somewhere new, or stepping into more visibility can all bring up self-doubt, even when the change is wanted.

• How can I move through change without feeling fully ready?

  Usually not by forcing confidence, but by taking small, grounded steps, seeking support, and building self-trust while you move.