How to Stop Feeling Inferior to Others? (24 Tips + Expert Insights)

Ever felt like you’re not good enough, smart enough, or talented enough compared to the people around you? Feeling inferior to others is a common struggle that many of us face at some point in our lives.

It can hold us back from pursuing our dreams, building meaningful relationships, and living our best lives. But here’s the good news: you have the power to change how you see yourself.

By shifting your mindset a bit, you’ll learn strategies to quiet that nagging voice and boost your confidence. We’ll talk about how you can stop comparing your worth against others and start seeing the great qualities you bring to the table.

Know Who You Are

One of the most important things you can do to stop feeling inferior to others is to get to know yourself better. I mean, how can you truly appreciate your own worth if you don’t even know who you are?

We often focus on our weaknesses and compare ourselves unfairly to others, but everyone has something they are good at. Take some time to explore your values, interests, and passions. What makes you unique? What are your strengths and talents?

Start by making a list of your talents, skills, and the things you’re proud of achieving. Refer back to this list whenever you’re feeling down about yourself.

"For someone to feel inferior assumes that someone else is superior. Know that you are not a replica, a knock-off, or a duplicate. You are a unique, one of a kind human being that in your present state, has not existed before nor ever will again."

— Nate Battle | Coach | Speaker | Author

Be Kind to Yourself

We’re often our own worst critics, right? When we make mistakes or face setbacks, it’s easy to beat ourselves up. But being kind to yourself means treating ourselves in the same way and understanding we’d extend to a good friend.

It often includes:

Forgiving your failings: Accept that everyone makes mistakes and that they don’t define your worth.
Mindfulness of your emotions: Allow yourself to feel bad emotions without letting them take control.
Understanding common humanity: Recognizing that not feeling okay is a part of life everyone goes through.

"Remember, you've been believing negative things about yourself for a long time. It will take practice and time, to believe otherwise. In the process, extend love and kindness to yourself. 

— Bianca Walker | Associate Professional Counselor | Mental Health Educator | Owner, The Self Care Institute of Atlanta, LLC

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

As we talked about earlier, getting caught up in negative thoughts and comparisons can really fuel feelings of inferiority. That’s where mindfulness and meditation come in.

These practices can help you stay present and develop a more balanced, accepting perspective. Here’s how to get started on these practices:

Set a Daily Meditation Time: Even five minutes can make a difference.
Observe without Judgment: Try to watch your thoughts come and go without criticism.
Focus on Breathing: When you feel inferior, focus on your breaths to bring you back to the present.

Practicing mindfulness helps ground you at the moment rather than beating yourself up for not measuring up to others. This can be powerful in managing feelings of inferiority as it teaches you to value the present moment and your place in it.

Focus on Your Strengths

Instead of getting hung up on where you think you fall short, why not spend some time appreciating what you excel at? Here’s how you might start:

List out your skills and achievements. It might surprise you to see how much you have accomplished.
Use these strengths as a foundation to tackle new challenges. It boosts your confidence when you approach tasks from a position of strength.

This practice encourages a positive self-view and reduces the urge to compare yourself unfavorably to others. As we discussed earlier about mindfulness and self-compassion, focusing on your strengths keeps you from comparing yourself to others.

Stop Comparing Yourself

In today’s social media-driven world, we see perfectly highlighted reels of other people’s lives and start to feel like we’re falling short. But here’s the thing: comparisons are rarely fair or accurate.

When you find yourself comparing yourself to others, remember that you’re just seeing one side. You don’t know the full story behind someone’s success or happiness. Plus, everyone has their own challenges and opportunities along the way.

My favorite tip for breaking the comparison is to focus on your growth and progress. Instead of measuring yourself against others, look at how far you’ve come and celebrate your own achievements, no matter how small they may seem.

"When you look at another person, see them as an individual. See that they have their own traits and experiences that make them the way that they are. The same is true of you. Everyone adds value, but we all offer a different kind of value."

— Audrey Marshall | Parenting Expert Blogger, Mommy Enlightened

Challenge Your Thinking

Our thoughts have a powerful influence on how we feel and behave. When you’re struggling with feelings of inferiority, it’s common to have negative or distorted thoughts about yourself and your abilities.

One effective way to combat these negative thoughts is to challenge them. When you catch yourself thinking something self-defeating, take a moment to question it. Feelings are not facts, even though they can be persuasive.

By questioning and challenging your negative thoughts, you create space for more balanced and positive views about your capabilities. And you start to recognize and focus on your worth.

Take Action by Improving Yourself

While it’s important to accept and love yourself as you are, there’s also value in striving for personal growth. When you take action to improve yourself, you build confidence and self-esteem. Here’s how you can approach this:

Choose one small skill or habit you want to improve.
Set micro-goals related to this skill. For instance, if you want to be better at public speaking, start by speaking up more during meetings.
Track your progress and adjust your goals as needed.

Remember, the key is to focus on progress, not perfection. Celebrate your progress along the way, and be patient with yourself. As you start to see positive changes, you’ll feel more empowered and less prone to feelings of inferiority.

"If you find that there are things that you don’t like about yourself, aim to improve the things that are within your control..."

— Bianca Walker | Associate Professional Counselor | Mental Health Educator | Owner, The Self Care Institute of Atlanta, LLC

Cut Down Social Media Comparison

Social media can be a major trigger for feelings of inferiority. But remember, people tend to post their best moments and rarely share their struggles or ordinary days.

Begin with a detox. To reduce the impact of social media on your self-esteem, try to be mindful of your consumption. Unfollow accounts that consistently make you feel inferior, and focus on following accounts that inspire and uplift you.

And if you do stumble upon those envy-inducing posts, remind yourself: Everyone has struggles; they just don’t make the social media.

"Remind yourself that you are on your own unique journey and not everyone needs to progress at the same rate.

People you might be comparing yourself with, in a professional setting may have spent a lot more time honing their skills or might have years on you, and so it’s a hopeless exercise to compare yourself to them."

— David Alexander | Designer | Developer and Digital Marketer, Mazepress

Stop Worrying About What Others Think

One of the biggest obstacles to overcoming feelings of inferiority is caring too much about what others think of you. When you constantly seek other people’s validation, you give them power over your self-worth.

I know it’s easier said than done, but try to shift your focus from seeking approval to living genuinely. Surround yourself with people who accept and appreciate you for who you are, flaws, and all.

At the end of the day, your opinion of yourself matters most. As we talked about earlier, practice self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness and respect. When you build a strong foundation of self-love, the opinions of others will have less impact on your worth.

Redirect Envy into Motivation

Feelings of envy, while often viewed negatively, can be turned into a motivating force for your personal growth. Here’s how you can turn envy for improvement:

Understand what exactly about someone else’s situation triggers your envy.
Based on your insights, outline achievable steps for yourself that are inspired but realistic.
No matter how small, recognizing your own steps forward can redirect focus from envy to personal achievement.

Remember, everyone has their own path in life. Instead of comparing yourself to others and feeling inferior, focus on your journey and what you can do to create the life you want.

Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a profound way to shift focus from what we lack to what we have. It helps us appreciate life’s many blessings and reduces the urge to compare ourselves to others. Here’s how you can incorporate gratitude into your daily routine:

Start a gratitude journal: Each night, jot down three things you were grateful for that day. It can be as simple as a meal or a warm conversation with a friend.
Express gratitude to others: Not only does this strengthen your relationships, but it also spreads positive emotions associated with appreciation.
Reflect on past successes: Sometimes, when we feel inferior, we forget how much we’ve already achieved. You can always look back on what you have accomplished.

By practicing gratitude, you reinforce a positive mindset and feel less likely to draw comparisons with others. What’s not to love about feeling good for the good already in your life?

Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care is not selfish; it’s important for your overall well-being and plays a significant role in building self-esteem. When you prioritize taking care of yourself, you send a powerful message that you value and respect yourself.

Self-care can take many forms, such as getting enough sleep, eating nourishing foods, exercising regularly, engaging in hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

Implementing self-care as a routine, like I mentioned earlier with mindfulness and meditation, is about nurturing your body and spirit, thus naturally increasing your feeling of self-worth and diminishing feelings of inferiority.

"Self-compassion will help you to not beat up on yourself when you continue to compare yourself with others and will also allow you the room and space to grow in a loving way."

— Bianca Walker | Associate Professional Counselor | Mental Health Educator | Owner, The Self Care Institute of Atlanta, LLC

Confront Your Biggest Fears

Fear is often the cause of feelings of inferiority. We might fear rejection, failure, or not measuring up to others’ expectations. But here’s the thing: facing your fears head-on is one of the most powerful ways to overcome feelings of inferiority.

Here’s how to get started:

Identify your fears: Clearly defining your fears is the first step to facing them.
Take small steps: Start with small, manageable actions that challenge your fears without overwhelming you.
Reflect on your experiences: After confronting a fear, take time to reflect on the experience and what you learned from it.

Remember, confronting your fears doesn’t mean you won’t feel afraid. It means you’re choosing to act in spite of the fear. And each time you do, you’ll prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you ever thought possible.

"Embrace who you are and your unique qualities, and recognize that you bring value to the world... Once you acknowledge what you are most scared of, it no longer has such power over you."

— Caleb Backe | Health and Wellness Expert, Maple Holistics

Stop Dwelling on Mistakes

We all make mistakes—it’s a natural part of the learning and growth process. However, when you dwell on your mistakes or let them define you, it can give you feelings of inferiority and hold you back from reaching your full potential.

But here’s what dealing with mistakes actually looks like:

Learn from the mistake: Identify what went wrong and what you can learn from it.
Forgive yourself: Understand that mistakes are a natural part of human growth.
Focus on the future: Shift your energy towards how you can do better next time.

Engage in Your Community

When you contribute to something larger than yourself, like getting involved in your community, it helps put your personal struggles into perspective and gives you a sense of purpose and belonging. Here’s why:

This can significantly increase your sense of self-worth and accomplishment.
Expanding your social circle can introduce you to diverse perspectives and experiences.
Many community activities involve skills that can be both challenging and rewarding.

So, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved in your community. You might be surprised at how much it transforms your sense of self-worth and helps you feel more connected and confident in all areas of your life.

Find a Therapist With Experience in Low Self-Esteem

Sometimes, the best thing to do is reach out for some professional backup. If you’re feeling consistently down about yourself, find a therapist with experience in low self-esteem. They’re equipped with the strategies and tools to help you.

When searching for a therapist, look for someone who has experience working with clients struggling with low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority. Don’t be afraid to ask potential therapists about their approach and success stories with clients facing similar challenges.

The right therapist will create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your emotions, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop a stronger sense of self-worth.

Set Your Boundaries

Just as we talked about earlier with stopping social media comparison, where you set limits to guard your peace, setting your personal boundaries follows the same philosophy.

It’s about deciding what’s okay and not okay for you, and here’s the kicker—it’s different for everyone. For example, setting your boundaries might involve:

Allocating time for breaks during work to prevent burnout.
Choosing not to engage in conversations that bring you down.
Saying “no” to extra tasks when your plate’s already overflowing.

I know setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to asserting yourself. But it gets easier with practice. As you become more comfortable advocating for yourself, you’ll find that your confidence grows, and you’ll feel less inferior.

"Not feeling inferior is difficult for these very specific reasons but it is not impossible. Focusing inward and accepting imperfection is the start. Refraining from adjusting yourself to fit a mold is the next step."

— Chris Armstrong | Certified Relationship Coach, Maze of Love

Celebrate Your Successes

Celebrating your successes, big or small, plays a vital role in combatting feelings of inferiority. It reminds you of your achievements and boosts your self-esteem. Here’s how to make the celebration a regular part of your life:

Acknowledge every achievement: Whether finishing a project at work or making a difficult phone call, recognize every win.
Share your successes: Share your achievements with friends or family. This can heighten your sense of accomplishment.
Reward yourself: Treat yourself to something you enjoy after reaching a milestone. It could be as simple as watching your favorite movie or eating your favorite treat.

Celebrating your successes isn’t bragging or seeking external validation but internalizing the message that your efforts matter and that you are making progress. So, celebrate your wins—big or small. You’ve earned it!

Embrace Your Journey to Self-Respect

When working to overcome feelings of inferiority, building self-respect and confidence takes time, effort, and patience. There will be ups and downs, successes and setbacks, but every step you take towards a more positive self-image is worth celebrating.

Embrace the process of getting to know yourself, challenging your limiting thoughts, and developing a more compassionate inner dialogue. Be proud of your progress, no matter how small it may seem.

And on days when you feel like you’ve taken a step backward, remind yourself that growth isn’t always straight. What matters is that you keep showing up for yourself, day after day, with the commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.

"Feeling inferior is usually rooted much deeper than a simple comparison. It’s about learning how to love yourself the way that you are... It’s a lifelong process of self-awareness and challenging your beliefs."

— Audrey Marshall | Parenting Expert Blogger, Mommy Enlightened

Surround Yourself with Positivity

The company you keep can significantly influence how you feel about yourself. Surrounding yourself with positivity means choosing relationships and environments that support and uplift you. Here’s why this is important:

Positivity combats negativity: It can help buffer against the daily stresses and negative self-talk that feed feelings of inferiority.
Positive people inspire growth: They encourage and motivate you to be your best self rather than dragging you down.
A supportive environment fosters confidence: When you feel supported, you’re more likely to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.

"As it is said, "Birds of a feather flock together". This is true when it comes to dealing with inferiority issues. When you have a group of supportive friends, they are able to point out certain abilities and characteristics that you have which benefit the group."

— Fabiola Paul LCSW, CCTP | Therapist | Founder, Enlightening Counseling & Educational Services

Don’t Let the Past Define You

Your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. It’s okay to remember past experiences, but it should not control your present or future. Here’s how not letting the past define you can help you feel less inferior:

Learn from past experiences: Each challenge you’ve faced has taught you something valuable.
Let go of past mistakes: Forgive yourself and recognize that mistakes are part of learning and growing.
Create new narratives: Focus on building the story you want for your life now, not the one you lived before.

By not letting the past dictate who you are today, you empower yourself to move forward. Freeing yourself from the weight of past experiences allows you to embrace the present and appreciate the person you are today.

Give Yourself a Chance

One of the biggest obstacles to overcoming feelings of inferiority is our own self-doubt. We often talk ourselves out of opportunities because we don’t believe we’re good enough. But here’s the thing: you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of unless you give yourself a chance.

Here’s how you can start:

Take small risks: Trying something new doesn’t have to be dramatic. Start with small, manageable risks that push your comfort zone just a bit.
Fail forward: View failures as stepping stones, not setbacks. Each attempt provides valuable lessons that pave the way to eventual success.
Celebrate the courage it takes to try: Remember, many people stay in the safety of the known. It takes bravery to step beyond.

You naturally enhance your self-esteem by giving yourself the room to experiment and learn. As we previously discussed about embracing your journey to self-respect, each risk taken is a step forward in that journey, regardless of the immediate outcome.

"If there is something you can do to improve the things you can change, go for it! You’ll likely feel better for having done so."

— Bianca Walker | Associate Professional Counselor | Mental Health Educator | Owner, The Self Care Institute of Atlanta, LLC

Become Who You Are

Overcoming inferiority looks different for everyone. There’s no one-size-fits-all. What matters is that you stay true to yourself, surround yourself with people who appreciate and support you, and keep taking steps toward the life and self-image you desire.

Like I mentioned earlier, there will be days when you feel like you’re making progress and others when self-doubt creeps back in. But with each challenge you overcome, you’ll grow stronger and more sure of who you are.

Just because something is the norm doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Dare to be different if that’s what feels right for you.

More Insights from the Experts

“A key part to stopping feeling inferior to others involves being open to personal development and processing your negative thoughts and where they stem from. This is done in therapy with a mental health professional.”

— Fabiola Paul LCSW, CCTP | Therapist | Founder, Enlightening Counseling & Educational Services

“So long as we adjust to others, they will never have to adjust to us. As well, so long as we adjust to others, we are never forming a true and consistent version of ourselves. Adjustment is an unfortunately common thing for people, even as they tend to be more open to the flaws of others.”

— Chris Armstrong | Certified Relationship Coach, Maze of Love

“…are you trying to be someone else/someone you are not? If so, you will find yourself almost always feeling inferior when you are trying to be someone/something that you are not.”

— Nate Battle | Coach | Speaker | Author

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel inferior to others?

Feelings of inferiority often stem from a combination of personal insecurities, past experiences, and social comparisons. It often occurs when one thinks they lack certain qualities, achievements, or the status others possess.

Is it normal to feel inferior to others?

Yes, feeling inferior to others is a common experience that most people face at some point in their lives.

It’s important to remember that everyone has unique strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences. Recognizing that these feelings are normal is the first step in overcoming them.

Can feelings of inferiority affect my relationships?

Yes, feelings of inferiority can have an impact on your relationships. Low self-esteem can lead to a fear of rejection, difficulty setting boundaries, and a tendency to seek validation from others.

Can therapy help me address feelings of inferiority?

Yes, therapy can be effective in addressing feelings of inferiority. Therapists can help you understand the causes of these feelings, develop new thinking patterns, and learn coping strategies to deal with them effectively.

How long does it take to overcome feelings of inferiority?

The time it takes varies from person to person. Overcoming feelings of inferiority is a gradual process that involves consistent effort in self-improvement. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress along the way.

Final Thoughts

Overcoming feelings of inferiority takes time, effort, and a willingness to change. But with practice and patience, you can learn to embrace your unique qualities, celebrate your successes, and build a more positive and confident sense of self.

It’s not always easy, and there will be setbacks along the way. But every small victory counts. Every time you choose self-compassion over self-criticism or celebrate success instead of failure, you’re taking a step toward overcoming that feeling of inferiority.

When you focus on your own path and celebrate your progress, you’ll start to see just how far you’ve come.