If you want to stop feeling inferior to other people, say goodbye to these 8 habits

Feeling inferior to others can be exhausting.

Whether it’s comparing yourself on social media or constantly doubting your worth, this mindset can quietly sabotage your confidence.

The good news?

Inferiority is not who you are—it’s often the result of behaviors you’ve unknowingly adopted.

By recognizing and eliminating these 8 habits, you’ll take a significant step toward building healthier self-esteem and truly embracing your value.

1) Constantly comparing yourself to others

It’s a common habit for many of us to constantly compare ourselves to others.

Whether it’s our friends, peers, or even celebrities, we often find ourselves measuring our worth based on how we stack up against them.

But here’s the thing: comparison is a dangerous game.

It’s a game that we can never really win.

There will always be someone smarter, better looking, richer, or more successful than us.

And when we constantly compare ourselves to them, we inevitably end up feeling inferior.

The key to stopping this feeling is to say goodbye to this habit of comparison.

Instead of focusing on others, focus on yourself. Celebrate your own achievements, no matter how small they may seem.

Appreciate your own uniqueness and individuality.

In fact, you are not inferior to anyone.

You are just different, and that’s what makes you special. So stop comparing and start appreciating yourself more.

2) Not acknowledging your achievements

I’ve noticed this in myself, and perhaps you have too.

We often downplay our own achievements, brushing them off as if they were nothing special or attributing them to mere luck.

For example, when I completed my first marathon, instead of feeling proud and acknowledging my hard work and determination, I found myself saying things like “Oh, it was just a slow pace” or “I was lucky the weather was good”.

But why do we do this? Why do we undermine our own accomplishments?

This habit can stem from a fear of appearing arrogant, but it ultimately feeds into the feeling of inferiority.

If we don’t value our own achievements, it’s easy to feel inferior to those who do celebrate their successes.

So let’s break this habit. Start acknowledging and celebrating your accomplishments.

You worked hard for them, you earned them, and you have every right to feel proud of them.

They’re a testament to your capabilities and they should make you feel anything but inferior.

3) Seeking validation from others

We all crave acceptance and recognition from those around us. It’s a basic human desire.

However, when we start seeking validation from others for every little thing we do, it can lead to feelings of inferiority.

The American Psychological Association found that those who depend heavily on external validation are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and high stress levels.

This is because their sense of self-worth is contingent on how they think others perceive them.

Breaking away from this habit means learning to validate yourself.

It’s about understanding that your value does not depend on someone else’s opinion of you.

Your worth comes from within and you don’t need anyone else’s approval to feel good about yourself.

4) Focusing on your flaws

Nobody’s perfect. We all have flaws and imperfections.

But when your focus shifts from your strengths to your weaknesses, it’s easy to feel inferior.

You might be an excellent communicator but not great at numbers.

There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s what makes you, you. There’s a beauty in our flaws, they make us unique and human.

So, instead of beating yourself up over your weaknesses, embrace them.

See them as opportunities for growth and development.

And remember to celebrate your strengths, because they are what make you stand out in the crowd.

Feeling inferior is a state of mind, and by shifting your focus from flaws to strengths, you can take a big step towards overcoming it.

5) Setting unrealistic standards

I believe we all have the capacity to be our own harshest critics.

We set sky-high standards for ourselves, and when we inevitably fall short, feelings of inferiority creep in.

Perhaps you’ve set an unrealistically high goal at work, or you’re pushing yourself to meet an idealized version of beauty.

When we set these unrealistic standards, we’re setting ourselves up for disappointment and feelings of inadequacy.

It’s perfectly okay not to be perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes and to fail sometimes.

That’s how we grow and learn.

Set realistic standards for yourself, ones that challenge you but are still achievable.

6) Avoiding challenges out of fear

I remember a time when I was offered a new project at work.

It was a great opportunity, but it also meant stepping out of my comfort zone and taking on new responsibilities. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle it, so I turned it down.

Looking back, I realize that this decision was fueled by feelings of inferiority.

I doubted my own abilities and feared failure. But by avoiding the challenge, I also missed out on an opportunity for growth.

If you find yourself avoiding challenges out of fear, it might be time to say goodbye to this habit.

Don’t let feelings of inferiority hold you back. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and believe in your ability to overcome them.

7) Over-apologizing

Have you ever found yourself saying sorry when it wasn’t really necessary?

Maybe you apologized for sharing your opinion, or for something that was completely out of your control.

This habit of over-apologizing can lead to feelings of inferiority.

It’s as if you’re constantly saying that your thoughts, feelings, or actions are wrong or less valuable than others.

It’s important to realize that you have every right to express your opinions and feelings.

And you certainly don’t need to apologize for things that aren’t your fault.

Try to catch yourself the next time you start to apologize unnecessarily.

Stand up for yourself and remember that your voice matters too.

8) Neglecting self-care

When we neglect our own needs and well-being, it’s easy to feel inferior.

It sends a message to ourselves that we are not important, that others’ needs should always come first.

But here’s what I’ve learned: self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Putting yourself first doesn’t mean you’re selfish.

It means you understand that in order to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself.

So, start making time for self-care.

Whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or just taking a moment to breathe, do something every day that makes you feel good about yourself. You are worth it.

Final thoughts: It’s all about perspective

Ultimately, our perception of ourselves and our feelings of inferiority are often a matter of perspective.

According to cognitive behavioral therapy, our thoughts have a significant impact on how we feel.

If we constantly tell ourselves that we’re inferior, we’ll start to believe it and feel that way.

But here’s the good news: Just as we have the power to foster these feelings of inferiority, we also have the power to change them.

By saying goodbye to these 8 habits, you can start shifting your perspective and see yourself in a more positive light.

It’s not about being superior or better than others.

It’s about recognizing your own worth, embracing your individuality, and understanding that you are enough just as you are.

It may not be an easy journey, but it’s definitely a worthwhile one.

So take that first step today and start believing in yourself.

After all, as the famous quote goes, “The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”