It is normal that i underestimate myself?

79% Normal
9 Comments

This is hard to explain/begin. Need clarity? ask ???'s, I will happily answer. Sorry so long,Plz comment! I NEED help!
I have bunches of friend/family that tell me Im smart. Not sure as to what kind of smart they mean cuz I don't think that I'm 'that smart'/'that great'. About me: 23/female/single/cute/independent, livin w/roommies. I take care of myself/pay my own bills/tuition. I don't make good grades in college cuz I'm lazy and I don't want to study But when I do study, I get really good grades. When work doesn't go so good for me I make it a point to do the best job, when I do I get awesome results, almost like when I really try at anything its too easy cuz what ever it is that I have my mind set on is what I end up getting.
I don't have the drive to do the things I need to in order to get things done to my full potential. I am in a comfortable position in life and. I don't feel like I am good enough to feel 'that great.' When ppl try to bring me down, it works and I fall back into my comfort zone, where no one can touch.
I am not that sly, whenever I have a big accomplishment, say @ work, or in class, everyone notices and I can feel some smirk (as some get jealous or Idk why) some say things like I think I am hot $#!T/ weird, I put half the effort they do and get better results.
I underestimate myself and I think that ppl overestimate me cuz I can do what I want and get results that I want without caring too much about it. C'mon! I never have any bad intentions or try to 'gain something' Its not my fault that I can do what others can't. Cause of this and being lazy, I hold myself back.
Then there is too much pressure when ever I don't have the answer. People LOVE to see me fall, but turn I learn a lesson from it which makes me wiser and thus even better at what I do and they hate that. Like I said, my intentions are not bad, so why are they overestimating my abilities?
I am always thinking that I should just set some awesome/outrageous goals for myself so I can see if I can really accomplish them. I don't really doubt too much that I can accomplish them. Problem is I way underestimate myself. When people judge me and turn to me to make the right decisions, I don't really feel like I am competent enough to be 'that great' and what is 'that great' and should I even try to be 'that great' Sometimes when I try to be 'that great' I go out of my way to do too much in my daily routines and I end up feeling stressed/overwhelmed/anxious, so much so that it is almost easier to just keep it simple, lazy and easy. But WHY do I underestimate my full potential and not want to reach some amazing goals?? Is this normal? Am I an idiot for not wanting to do so? Or do people just over estimate me, thus leading me to believe that I underestimate myself? Like I said I don't think I am 'that great' and who is 'that great'? Should I try to be more like people who are 'that great' to see if I end up somewhere awesome in life?

Voting Results
79% Normal
Based on 19 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • sqwidword33
    12 years ago

    when people give thier opinions to you, they want you to take it, similar to being handed anything else. you should try to remember what i'm about to write; you feel you cast a shadow too small to cover the people who spite your success, however, you believe said people feel the opposite. but the truth is, a shadow can obly be casted when there is light. they assume your shadow is the result of you covering more light. what you should do is radiate light, especially the light you don't use, and in case you haven't yet figured it out, light is a metaphor for success.

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  • hi*there
    10 years ago

    I think that the reason yr asking is that deep down you know it is not normal you want to care but don't know how to let those feelings in or out. It is easy look up the word empathy and really try and put yourself in there shoes if that doesn't work then spend time getting to know them. Sometimes our busy lives get in the way of our emotions and that's ok. We have the choice to do so don't beat yourself up over it blog about it blablabla.

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  • lc1988
    12 years ago

    I agree with everything said above and it was nice to read because I'm kind of in the same boat as you...I have potential but I don't want to be in the "spot light" if that makes since. it's hard to have motivation when you're doing just as well as the next student. Another thing too is I'm scared that if I try, I might fail. It's just so much easier to stay in the comfort zone and do what you've always done in college. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone!

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  • MrsBailey9
    12 years ago

    Ldizzy sorry

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  • MrsBailey9
    12 years ago

    I agree with "Lizzy". You have to just be yourself, and finding out who that is, is part of life. Setting goals is a great idea, but don't set yourself up for failure on purpose. Who cares what other people think, obviously you put too much merit into that. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Only YOU can control what will be... In order to gain more self confidence quit underestimating and second guessing your capabilities. You said it yourself that you know you are smart and that you CAN do things but only if you really want to. You don't have to show off just to prove yourself to other people. Make yourself happy by cutting yourself some slack kiddo! You sound like you are on the right track. Just figure out what direction you want to go, and go there. Head down, chin up! Smile, and the whole world smiles with you!

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  • Ldizzy1234
    12 years ago

    The only person you have to be is yourself. Stop paying such close attention to what the people around you are saying. If you wanna set goals for yourself, go ahead! If you think you can, you probably will.

    There will always be someone who is gonna stand on the sidelines waiting for you to crash and burn, it's life. Some people are that jealous. And you can definitely find that kind of behavior in a work environment. But the you have to just go on with your life, and be who you wanna be.

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    • Ldizzy1234
      12 years ago

      Cross out that "the" in the last sentence.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Dont know about you I think you absolutely fucking useless go jump off a bridge

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  • rayst
    12 years ago

    I only read half of your story but it seems to me that you dont underestimate yourself at all. You try to show like it, but inside you believe everyone who "overestimate" you. You sound narcisist saying you do better than everyone while putting half the effort. It's always been the same for me but i dont lie, falsely bringing me down just to be told by others that im so great blah blah... You're just like those power chicks who say they're ugly just for ppl to tell them they're hot

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