Have you ever found yourself second-guessing your decisions or feeling uneasy in social situations? If so, you’re not alone. Insecurity is a common experience, and understanding its signs can be the first phase toward handling and overcoming it. Here are 10 signs of insecurity.

You are Constantly Seeking Validation

Do you often find yourself needing approval from others to feel good about your choices? This is a classic sign of insecurity. If you notice that compliments from others boost your mood significantly, or conversely if criticism tends to ruin your whole day, it might be a sign that you’re relying too much on external validation.

You have Difficulty Trusting Others

Reflect on this: Are you often suspicious or doubtful of people’s intentions? Insecurity can manifest as a lack of trust in others, even in the absence of any real evidence to justify this distrust. This trait can stem from a fear of getting hurt or a belief that others will let you down.

You are Overly Self-Critical

Are you your own harshest critic? Insecurity often leads people to magnify their flaws and minimize or outright ignore their strengths and accomplishments. If you find yourself constantly focusing on your shortcomings and failures, it could be a sign of underlying insecurity.

You Exhibit Perfectionism

Perfectionism can sometimes be a mask for deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. Do you find yourself obsessing over the smallest details, striving for perfection in everything you do? While it’s good to have high standards, excessive perfectionism can be debilitating and is often driven by fear of failure or judgment.

You Tend to Withdraw Socially

Do social situations make you anxious? Insecurity might lead you to avoid social interactions, fearing judgment, embarrassment, or rejection. If you notice that you’re increasingly isolating yourself, it could be a response to these insecurities.

You Display Defensive Behavior

Think about how you react to feedback. Do you get defensive easily? Insecurity can cause individuals to perceive even constructive criticism as a personal attack. This defensiveness is often a way of protecting oneself from perceived threats to self-esteem.

You Struggle with Indecisiveness

Do you struggle with making decisions, big or small? Indecisiveness can be a manifestation of insecurity, stemming from a fear of making the wrong choice or a lack of trust in one’s judgment.

You Have a Need for Control

Do you feel a compulsive need to control every aspect of your life and sometimes even the lives of those around you? This can be an attempt to cope with feelings of insecurity by trying to manage external circumstances.

You Experience Jealousy

Do you often find yourself feeling jealous of others? Jealousy can be a sign of insecurity, especially if it’s about aspects of others’ lives that you feel are lacking in your own.

You Have Body Image Issues

Lastly, how do you feel about your appearance? Insecurity can often be closely tied to body image. If you find yourself frequently worrying about how you look or comparing your appearance to others, it could be a sign of deeper insecurities about self-worth.