Self-Conscious Quotes & Sayings – To Inspire Gentle Change

This collection of quotes about being self-conscious can help put things in perspective and highlights how it can keep us feeling ‘small’.

Most people feel self-conscious at some point in their lives. For some, it’s a constant battle, while for others, it’s more of an occasional nuisance.

But what is self-consciousness, and why does it impact us so much?

Self-consciousness is an overwhelming feeling that you’re being watched and judged by others. It’s the belief that you’re not good enough or that you don’t fit ‘in’.

This can lead to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and depression. It can hold us back in life, keep us playing ‘small’ and prevent us from taking risks or being our true selves.

Why do we feel self-conscious?

There are a few reasons why we might feel self-conscious. Just a few reasons might be:

• We might have low self-esteem – this means that we don’t think very highly of ourselves, and so we believe that others won’t either,
• We might be insecure – this means that we’re afraid of being rejected or not measuring up to others,
• Past experiences – we might have experienced trauma or bullying in the past that can leave us feeling like we’re not good enough or that we don’t deserve to be happy.

Self-consciousness can also be triggered by certain situations. For example, if we’re in a new or unfamiliar place, we might feel self-conscious because we don’t feel comfortable with the people we are with or we may also get an emotional reaction to what is going on.

It can also be triggered with the increase in social media and comparing ourselves to others.

Related: Negative Social Media Quotes – The Negative Impacts It Can Have

Often, we’re our own worst critics, and we’re quick to criticize ourselves for every little mistake. However, the ‘other’ people we are worried are judging us probably aren’t even noticing about these ‘perceived’ flaws of ours, because they too are probably worrying about how they appear. Crazy right?

 

Self-Conscious Quotes

The following quotes all help to articulate the notion of being ‘self-conscious’, and how it can truly impact our lives. It’s definitely something to be more aware of and how it affects us.

 

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” Lao Tzu

 

“Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-brake on.” Maxwell Maltz

 

“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” Sir Edmund Hillary

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

 

“Don’t be self-conscious – other people are completely unaware of you and more concerned with how they appear.” John Geddes

 

“The inner speech, your thoughts, can cause you to be rich or poor, loved or unloved, happy or unhappy, attractive or unattractive, powerful or weak.” Ralph Charell

 

“When you are self-conscious you are in trouble. When you are self-conscious you are really showing symptoms that you don’t know who you are. Your very self-consciousness indicates that you have not come home yet.” Osho

 

“To get anywhere in life, there is but one rule. Never seek external validation for your own inner peace.” Azra Gregor

 

“You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.” Dr. Robert Anthony

 

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

 

Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” Mahatma Gandhi

 

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” Buddha

 

“Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you’re making.” C.S. Lewis

 

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” Steve Furtick

 

“Successful people have fear, successful people have doubts, and successful people have worries. They just don’t let these feelings stop them.” T. Harv Eker

 

Being Self-Conscious Quotes

 

I get self-conscious and I get insecure, as everybody else does, but I try not to show that. Charli D’Amelio

 

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” Mark Twain

 

“A man’s spirit is free, but his pride binds him with chains of suffocation in a prison of his own insecurities.” Jeremy Aldana

 

“The better you feel about yourself, the less you feel the need to show off.” Robert Hand

 

“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” Louise L. Hay

 

“To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don’t wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now.” Alan Cohen

 

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” Marie Curie

 

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is continually fearing that you’ll make one.” Elbert Hubbard

 

“The task we must set for ourselves is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity.” Erich Fromm

 

Self-consciousness can have a major impact on our lives. We may avoid social situations, or feel like we can’t be ourselves around others. This can lead to isolation and loneliness.

 

How do you beat self-consciousness?

 

Remember that everyone feels self-conscious at times. There are however a few things that can help reduce self-consciousness.

First, try to accept yourself for who you are. Accept your flaws and mistakes and know that you’re not perfect. Second, practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself, even when you mess up. Finally, surround yourself with positive people who will support and encourage you.

 

If you’re struggling with self-consciousness, don’t hesitate to seek help from a therapist or counsellor. You don’t have to struggle on your own.

For more reading and inspirational quotes, be sure to check out:

• Self Perception Quotes & Sayings For Self Reflection
• Self-Discovery Quotes (42 Sayings on Finding Yourself)
• Low Self Esteem Quotes (34 Sayings That Inspire)
• Motivational Quotes for Self Confidence
• 20 Empowering Body Confidence Quotes To Question Our Thinking
• 42 Quotes About Self Confidence – To Encourage Belief In Yourself
• 40 Funny Self Love Quotes
• 36 Quotes About Taking Risks Outside Your Comfort Zone