How to Overcome Self-Doubt with Help from Your Inner Rebel
By Keri Mangis
Posted on July 25
Challenge anxiety and doubt by accessing your inner Rebel archetype.
Sylvia Plath once said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
So many of us are on this planet to live a creative life, challenge status quos in all spaces, express our authenticity, and continue to make the world a better place for ourselves and future generations. Creativity is not just about making art—it is the root of all joy, the force behind our purpose.
But if we give the voice of self-doubt too much power, we shrink instead of rise. We conform instead of breaking molds. We yield the floor instead of using our own powerful voice.
Self-doubt, a cousin of fear and anxiety, is common to all of us. It often sounds like:
What if I fail?
I don’t know if I can.
What would others think?
But just as common to all of us is our desire to move beyond these limiting fears so we can live fulfilling, purpose-driven lives. One way to do that is to activate bold voices from within us—the ones we can draw courage from.
To find them, let’s turn to our inner archetypes.
Meet Your Cast of Inner Archetypes
Inside each of us lives a whole cast of characters—what we might call archetypes.
An archetype (“arche” = original/origin; “type” = model/pattern) is an expression of a particular kind of energy or personality we can all recognize. We use the language of archetypes all the time, even if we don’t realize it. Some common archetypes are the Teacher, Bully, Leader, Athlete, and Scholar.
Archetypes express themselves in many ways. Some sabotage us while others guide or inspire us. Some mostly hang out backstage, while others get more time in the spotlight. But all of them can act. Learning what archetypes exist within us (and how to work with them) can help us understand ourselves better and live more confident, peaceful, creative lives.
Self-Doubt and the Rebel Archetype
The voice of self-doubt could come from a variety of archetypes. It could be one of those for whom nothing you do is ever good enough, like the Inner Critic, Perfectionist, or Judge. Or it could stem from archetypes such as the Mother or Caretaker, who just want to keep you safe.
But if we are going to do our soul’s work, finding another voice that can overcome self-doubt is the key. That’s when we need to call up the Rebel archetype.
The Rebel is the one who dares; the part of us that leads with gusto and a touch of bravado.
The Rebel doesn’t care what other people think. They aren’t cowed by judgments or opinions. They revel in being contrary or even shocking. They walk their own way in the world, even (and especially!) when it doesn’t align with societal norms.
It is true—the Rebel corresponds to the more adolescent, even reckless side of ourselves. Giving too much power to the Rebel could easily cause us to lose sight of anything but our goal. But a sprinkle of rebel energy on our self-doubt? That might be all that is needed.
Now, if you’re thinking that self-doubt has your Rebel firmly tied down, here are a few ways you can loosen them up and put the Rebel’s energy to use in your life.
4 Steps to Cue the Rebel to Center Stage
1. Engage in a Dialogue
I have often used internal or written dialogue as a tool to engage with differing aspects of myself. It is fascinating to let them take center stage and then sit back and enjoy the show.
For this exercise, put your self-doubt (or whatever archetype you believe is voicing it) and the Rebel together and let them hash it out. Use your pen, your body, your voice, sock puppets—whatever works. Maybe it sounds like this:
Self-doubt: “I don’t have what it takes.”
Rebel: “You won’t know until you try!”
Self-doubt: “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Rebel: “Hey, no one does, why should that stop you?”
Self-doubt: “What if I’m not the right person to do this work?”
Rebel: “You’re the only one who can do it your way.”
Self-doubt: “That’s not really how things are done.”
Rebel: “And how well has that worked before?”
2. Dress and Act the Part
If you feel it’s hard to find the voice of the Rebel archetype, try embodying the part instead. Think of it like slipping into a costume: What would the Rebel wear? How would the Rebel stand? How would they walk into a room?
Or, is there an outfit or adornment you’ve imagined wearing but haven’t been ready to take the risk? A bright lipstick, bold jewelry, maybe a new tattoo to help pull out your rebellious side? By physically embodying the Rebel, we can also awaken the energy of the Rebel.
3. Use the Rebel’s Mantras
Mantras don’t always have to be about love and light. Sometimes we need mantras that help us break through, move forward, and channel energy that we need. Try these phrases to help put self-doubt in its place:
- “You can’t stop me.”
- “You can’t make me.”
- “I’ll do it my way.”
- “I’m doing it anyway.”
- “Watch me.”
- “Wanna bet?”
4. Rebel in Small Ways
Sometimes what we might think of as rebelling is just good old-fashioned boundary-setting. Try calling up the Rebel when you need to say no, when you want to post something vulnerable on social media, or when you are called upon to share your opinion. Let the Rebel help you find the words (and the attitude!) to live and act more aligned to your truth.
And … Action!
You may not want the Rebel to be the most prominent archetype in your life, and that’s likely wise. But give them a little more stage time, and paralyzing self-doubt can soon be replaced with confidence.
Before you know it, the boldness and bravery of the Rebel will be yours, and you can work with them to live your most creative, energetic, and conscious life.
Keri Mangis
