I hear this word thrown around a lot with such a negative connotation. The word is used to explain away people’s lack of self-confidence. Or that it’s a major reason for their mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
Here’s a slight shift, insecure just means not feeling secure, or in other words, not feeling safe. Feeling insecure is not a shameful state to be in. It is an honest and informative alert to the environment you are in.
Feeling “insecure” or “not safe” can be an indication that something in your environment doesn’t seem quite alright for you. If you’re able to listen to your own experience and honor it you may be able to address the complication and bring back security.
This doesn’t mean that your safety radar is always well calibrated. Sometimes a false sense of danger can be an issue, and often times that means trauma.
We can feel insecure in a variety of environments, at work, in public, within friendships and intimate partner relationships. The question is why and where does it stem from?
Does the shift help you feel less shame for moments you’ve felt “insecure”?