Some of us may have felt or are in a phase of inferiority. This inferiority or inferiority is quite often encountered in everyday life with a variety of different effects from one individual to another. Some of the people did not experience significant impacts, but some felt various negative impacts that were quite significant. For example, the inferiority complex experienced makes it difficult for the individual concerned to socialize, his daily activities are disrupted, and so on.
In the face of this inferiority complex, there are times when individuals feel confused about how to overcome it, ranging from not feeling too necessary to seek professional help because they feel that they are still light many others. This article will be explained inferiority or inferiority based on psychological science to improve our understanding of this condition. In addition, this article will give 5 examples of ways that can be done to overcome such inferiority at the individual level.
Definition of Low Self-esteem
The feeling of inferiority is also called inferiority in psychology, but the term inferiority used here is different from the inferiority complex. The term inferiority or inferiority discussed in this article is more towards inferiority feelings which are defined as feelings that are universally shared by individuals about incompleteness, smallness, weakness, and indifference to dependence which we have also experienced in childhood (Inferiority Feelings, t.t.).
This feeling of inferiority or inferiority is also not a pathological condition and is normally experienced by the individual, it can even be a motivation for the person concerned to become a better individual (Noviekayati et al., 2021).
How to Overcome Inferiority
Having understood that this inferiority or inferiority is not always pathology or disorder, the curiosity to overcome this condition may be growing. As previously explained, in addition to explaining the meaning of the inferiority complex, it will also be explained some ways to overcome it.
Here are five ways to overcome inferiority so that you don't feel inferior and feel ashamed.
1. Know and understand yourself
In some articles and advice given by experts, one of the ways that can be done to overcome inferiority is to raise awareness that each individual living in this world is unique and different from one another. This process of raising awareness of oneself in individuals experiencing feelings of inferiority or inferiority is indeed not as easy as the existing theory. However, there is one way that can be used when this inferiority complex arises.
The way or technique that can be done is to recognize and understand yourself which can be done by recalling the principles, values, or beliefs possessed. This way of knowing oneself is in line with the statement of one practitioner, Nate Battle (in Jacob, t.t.) that recognizing oneself can help us in reducing inferiority or inferiority.
One example of its application is when a fresh graduate named Rini who has not got a job or has not continued his studies feels inferior because his friends have stepped earlier than him. Sensing conditions that began to be unconducive because of the inferiority complex, he chose to pause with the aim of recognizing and understanding himself.
In this phase, he recalls his goals, desires, values and principles, and ideals that lead to his current decisions. He realized that his goals and ideals are different from his peers and to achieve them also requires effort and a different path. Since then, he has not hesitated or embarrassed when asked why Rini did not work or continue his studies like most of his friends.
2. Do not think that life is a race
In some conditions, it may be in us or we have heard others talk about success, success, or other conditions that end up comparing either ourselves or others. The results of this comparison can sometimes increase the enthusiasm to be even better.
However, there are times when this drive and motivation are inversely proportional and actually make people compete better or match the person who is the benchmark. Conditions like this can actually develop a sense of inferiority and inferiority in the individual. The main way to overcome inferiority due to this factor is to stop seeing our journey or life as a race (Wanjohi, 2019).
In the case of Rani, who has an inferiority problem because she compares her achievements that are not as good as her peers, she also applies this method as a "brake". When Rani felt she should match the achievements of her friends by continuing her education in a field that was not her passion.
He reminded himself that this is all a journey of life that must be lived gratefully and there is no need to take something that could later be regretted. He also reminds himself that God has the most appropriate timing and a way for Rani to achieve everything she planned.
3. Unlearnfalse beliefs
In psychology, it is not uncommon to find the term learn and unlearned a thing, context, or topic. In simple terms, the process of unlearning or forgetting what was learned before is similar to the undo process when we type on a computer, except that this unlearning process is in the context of behavior or belief.
Unlearning and forgetting inappropriate beliefs regarding conditions that make us feel low, small, meaningless, not good enough, or so on is necessary to do and is advised to overcome a sense of inferiority (Hendel, 2018; Wanjohi, 2019).
The process of unlearning incorrect beliefs about ourselves or certain conditions is not easy and takes a long time. Nevertheless, these efforts can still be made either alone or in conjunction with other means.
For example, Rani, who is practicing, is trying to make herself aware that her life is not a race to realize that she also has to change inappropriate thoughts or beliefs about the topic. Rani, who has always believed that "if I want to succeed, I must be at least the same as my friends" tried to convince herself that the belief was not right and told her that "God has outlined my destiny and life journey so that I don't need to be too competitive just to satisfy my desires and prestige".
4. Do Positive Affirmations
Positive affirmations towards ourselves in the process of reducing inferiority can also be tried to be practiced. This is in line with the advice given by Fabiola Paul (in Jacob, t.t.) that inferiority can be reduced or overcome by doing positive affirmations that are done personally. He suggests doing these positive affirmations before or after bed regularly to change our feelings, beliefs, or attitudes.
Examples of applying positive affirmations can be done such as Rani affirming herself every morning after waking up and at night before going to bed. He said two sentences that were very personal to him but could have been common to others who heard.
Here are two sentences of Rani's affirmation so as not to feel inferior to her condition that is not yet like her peers "I have my own life path and story that God has prepared. I am sure that God has not forgotten all my efforts and sacrifices during this time so that God will give me what I prayed for, tried, and fought for at the right time and in the best possible way".
As a result, you can love yourself more and accept your shortcomings.
5. Do relaxation
Similarly to doing or working on something else, the process of overcoming a sense of inferiority consciously or not, is quite emotionally draining and energy-consuming. In certain conditions where this sense of inferiority cannot be controlled properly, doing positive affirmations, self-talk, or convincing yourself is sometimes still not enough to overcome the existing effects. Related to this condition, Hendel (2018) suggests relaxing by applying deep belly breathing with the aim of relieving tension and calming the nervous system.
The way of relaxation especially by regulating breathing can be done with a variety of techniques, not only deep belly breathing. For example, when rani feels overwhelmed by her inferiority complex, Rani tries to catch her breath even though it is not deep belly breathing that she is calmer and can think clearly. In this condition, Rani tried to take a deep breath and was held for a few seconds, then slowly removed from the mouth. After applying this relaxation several times, Rani was able to calm herself down and think even more clearly.
This is a brief explanation of inferiority or inferiority from the point of view of psychological science along with five ways that can be done to overcome the condition. It should be understood that the five ways are not a sequence and can be done separately and changed according to the needs and conditions of each individual. In addition, keep in mind that when this sense of inferiority gives insurmountable repercussions on its own and leads to an inferiority complex or other pathological condition, then do not hesitate to seek professional help.
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