Do I Trust Myself? Exploring the Power of Self-Trust in Our Empowerment Journey

Hello, hello! I’m Whit, your Energy Empowerment Guide with a camp counselor vibe. Today, we’re diving into a question that might seem simple at first glance, but once you start peeling back the layers, it can really stir things up. It’s a question my higher self posed recently when I was tuning in and channeling, and now I’m passing it along to you:

Do I trust myself?

It’s short, but wow, is it potent! 

I like to tune into specific topics and offer questions that help us all grow on our ascension and expansion journeys. But remember, everyone’s going to get something different out of this, because we’re all working through our own beliefs, experiences, and constructs. So let’s dig in together, and see where this question leads us.

What Does Trust Mean to You?

Before we go any further, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what trust even means to you. 

For me, trust is about having confidence in myself and my decisions. It’s about knowing that even if I don’t have all the answers, I’ll figure things out as I go. But trust is a deeply personal thing, and its definition can change from person to person, moment to moment. So take a second to think: What does trust mean to you?

Once you have that definition, you can start to apply the question to different areas of your life. Do you trust yourself in your relationships? In your work? In your creativity? What about in your decisions around self-care or your spiritual journey?

If this feels like a lot to take in all at once, that’s okay. Self-trust isn’t something we figure out overnight. It’s something we continuously build, nurture, and check in on throughout our lives.

Trust From an Ancient Perspective

When we turn to ancient teachings and indigenous wisdom, we find that self-trust isn’t a new concept—it’s been revered as a sacred practice for generations. Many Native American tribes emphasize the importance of inner guidance through ceremonies like vision quests. These journeys are designed to help individuals connect with their higher selves, their ancestors, and the natural world, cultivating a deep sense of trust in their intuition and life path.

In ancient Greece, the Oracle of Delphi famously bore the inscription “Know Thyself.” This timeless wisdom underscores the idea that understanding and trusting oneself is the foundation of all other knowledge. The Greeks believed that inner alignment led to harmony with the cosmos, highlighting the interconnectedness of self-trust and universal flow.

Similarly, the Vedic traditions of India teach about the Atman—the innermost self that is inherently divine and trustworthy. Through practices like meditation, yoga, and mantra chanting, individuals are encouraged to quiet the noise of the external world and reconnect with their inner truth.

Across cultures, ancient wisdom teaches us that self-trust isn’t just about making decisions or taking action; it’s about recognizing our inherent divinity and aligning with the wisdom that flows through us. These practices remind us that when we trust ourselves, we’re not just trusting the human experience—we’re trusting the sacred essence within.

The Science of Trust

Let’s bring in a scientific lens because, believe it or not, modern research supports the transformative power of self-trust. Neuroscience reveals that trusting oneself activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and emotional regulation. When we trust our ability to make choices, we’re more likely to engage this part of the brain, fostering clarity and reducing anxiety.

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that individuals with higher levels of self-trust reported greater overall life satisfaction and resilience. They were also better equipped to bounce back from setbacks, indicating that self-trust is a key factor in emotional well-being.

From a behavioral psychology perspective, self-trust influences what’s known as self-efficacy—our belief in our ability to succeed in specific situations. Research by psychologist Albert Bandura has shown that individuals with high self-efficacy are more likely to take risks, embrace challenges, and persist through difficulties. These qualities are essential for personal growth and spiritual ascension.

And here’s a fascinating statistic: a 2019 survey published in Psychological Science found that individuals who practiced mindfulness—a tool for cultivating self-awareness and trust—experienced a 38% reduction in stress levels and a 25% improvement in decision-making confidence.

What does this mean for us? It means that self-trust isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a measurable, impactful force that shapes our brains, our emotions, and our lives. By blending ancient practices, modern science, with energy work we can create a balanced and empowered approach to deepening self-trust in our ascension journey.

The Journey to Self-Trust

A few years ago, I found myself in a situation where I felt lost in my career. I was doing work that didn’t align with my soul and every time I tried to make a change, I felt like I couldn’t trust myself to make the “right” decision. It was as if every choice felt too big, too risky, too... uncertain. 

What I realized was that my lack of trust wasn’t really about the external factors—it was about me. I didn’t trust myself to handle the outcomes, whether they were joy-filled or challenging. Once I saw that, I knew that I had to start small. I had to take baby steps in trusting my intuition. 

One of the first things I did was give myself permission to make what I perceived at the time as mistakes. I now consider those learning opportunities. :) I stopped expecting perfection and instead focused on learning from the process. Over time, those small choices helped me build more self-trust, and I began to step into work that felt aligned with who I truly am.

Flipping the Question

Here’s a little twist for you—sometimes, flipping the question can give us even more insight. Instead of just asking, “Do I trust myself?” try asking:

In what ways have I yet to trust myself?

This can help you identify where those sticky spots are, the areas in your life where you’re holding back or second-guessing yourself. Maybe you trust yourself in your friendships but struggle with self-trust in your creative pursuits. Or perhaps you trust yourself in day-to-day decisions but not when it comes to making big life changes. 

The beauty of this process is that your answers will likely change over time. And that’s totally okay!—in fact, it’s a sign that you’re growing. Trust isn’t a static thing. It evolves as we evolve. The areas where we struggle with self-trust today may become our strengths tomorrow.

Practical Tips for Building Self-Trust

If you’re feeling like your self-trust could use a little boost, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here are a few practical ways I’ve found helpful in building self-trust:

1. Start Small: You don’t have to dive headfirst into the deep end. Start with small choices where you can practice trusting yourself. Maybe it’s deciding how to spend your day off or what creative project to start next. Let those smaller decisions build up your confidence.

2. Practice Self-Compassion: Trust and compassion go hand in hand. If you’re constantly criticizing yourself for every little perceived “misstep”, it’s going to be hard to trust yourself. So when things go a direction that’s challenging, be kind to yourself. Remind yourself that you’re learning and that’s okay. And if you have room for it, consider that there are no wrong steps or mistakes! All are part of your journey and helping you expand into more of you.

3. Tune Into Your Body: Sometimes, our bodies know what’s right for us before our minds do. If you’re feeling unsure about a decision, take a moment to tune into how the different options feels in your body. Are you tense? Relaxed? Your body can give you clues about what feels aligned.

4. Reflect and Journal: This is one of my favorite practices. If you’re familiar with my work you’ve heard this before haha Sit with the question “Do I trust myself?” and journal about what comes up. You might be surprised by the insights you get just from writing down your thoughts. If you don’t have a journal and want one that I created, here’s the Adventure Within Journal.

The Empowerment and Expansion Process

Here’s something I want you to remember: the journey of empowerment and expansion is always ongoing. We’re constantly shifting, growing, and making room for more of our higher selves to come through and express. That means our relationship with self-trust is also going to evolve. 

Some days, you might feel like you trust yourself completely. Other days, not so much. And that’s totally normal. Just like the seasons change, our beliefs and constructs shift too. The key is to keep checking in with yourself, asking these important questions, and seeing where you’re at. And if you feel like coming back to this question next week, or next month, go for it. You might find that your answers change, and that’s part of the process.

Weekly messages in your inbox! Sign up with your email address to receive channeled messages to assist humanity with growth and expansion.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, no one else can answer this question for you. Only you get to decide how much trust you place in yourself. And here’s the beautiful part: you don’t need to have it all figured out. Trust, like everything else, is a journey. It grows with you.

I hope this question helps shake things up for you in the best way possible and assists you in aligning more deeply with your higher self. If you feel like connecting more, drop a comment below, subscribe to my free newsletter with even more questions to ponder for empowerment and growth, or check out our community where we explore these topics together in a supportive space.

Remember, you’re exactly where you need to be. And wherever you are in your journey, I trust that you’re learning and expanding in ways that are perfect for you.

Love to you, always. 💖

*I HIGHLY recommend checking out Native and Indigenous sources to do a deeper dive into the topic covered. The very short paragraph included here has the intention to bring awareness to this perspective, but not speak for it. Please check out more in depth information directly from the source!