Navigating Doubt When You're Alone

Don’t stress as this is common, especially when you’re physically distant from your loved ones and everyday routine. While the absence of a dedicated support system can be challenging, it's important to remember that you're not alone in this.

Here are six strategies you can deploy to help you navigate bouts of doubt and uncertainty:

1. Embrace Self-Compassion

• Practice self-talk: Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Be kind to yourself, especially your mind. Create an area in your room where you can stick quotes, affirmations, photos, poems, or other positive imagery to help you mitigate navigate thinking.   
• Mindful breathing: Take regular deep, slow breaths to help you calm your mind and body when you start to feel overwhelmed. Have a look online to find resources you can employ to help you build a toolbox of resources you can use when it matters.
• Journaling: Consider writing down your thoughts and feelings, so as to gain clarity. Regular journalling can help you to clear the clutter in your mind and help you make sense of thoughts/questions/scenarios which may be bugging you.

2. Connect with Yourself

• Meditate: Spend time in quiet reflection to centre yourself. You don’t need to spend hours quieting your mind, but a few minutes each day can help you.
• Engage in hobbies: Rediscover passions that bring you joy. Balance is important and so is engaging in hobbies at least once per week, to help you unplug and discover that which brings you joy.  
• Spend time in nature: Connect with the natural world to find peace, e.g.: sit outside in the sun (hat and sunscreen on-hand), take a walk around campus, or if you are able, in nature to soak up all the sights and sounds.
• Let go: If you need to scream, shout, hit, vent or cause destruction (in a safe, sane and healthy way), then go for it, as it is better to express these feelings in a health way, as oppose to bottling your emotions until you implode. P.S … just advise your friends of what you are doing, so it doesn't look as if you’ve lost the plot…

3. Set Realistic Goals

• Break down tasks: Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Also start with a small easy task first to help motivate you, before tackling more challenging tasks. Consider creating time blocks for each task too, especially if you need to complete multiple tasks.
• Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small.
• Be patient with yourself: You won’t be successful right from the start, as progress takes time, but if you are consistent and continuality put in the work, you will be able to see the results of your hard work.

5. Challenge Negative Thoughts

• Identify negative thoughts: Recognise when self-doubt creeps in. Don’t dwell on negative thoughts, but don’t dismiss them either. Ask yourself if these thoughts based on facts or fears? Analyse the triggers behind them and keep a journal to track such thoughts, so that you can identify where these stem from, take steps to overcome them and build yourself a range of resources to employ when needed. By reframing negative thoughts, you can replace them with positive, realistic perspectives.

6. Take Care of Yourself

• Prioritise sleep: Ensure to get enough restful sleep. A lack of sleep not only impairs your cognitive abilities, but it also can affect your mood and overall wellbeing. So, if you feel like taking a nap mid-day, don’t fight it as it can help you.
• Eat healthy: Strike a balance between convenience and something green at least once a week, if not more.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can boost your mood and energy levels.

For more information:

Nelson Mandela University resources:

1. Emthonjeni Student Wellness: https://emthonjeni.mandela.ac.za/Services-Provided
2. Peer Helpers: https://emthonjeni.mandela.ac.za/Peer-Helpers
3. Learning Development: https://ld.mandela.ac.za/
4. Student Health Services: https://studenthealth.mandela.ac.za/

External resources:

5. SADAG: https://www.sadag.org/ & https://shorturl.at/agwXJ
6. Higher Health: https://higherhealth.ac.za/frameworks-tools/

Remember, it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times. By implementing these strategies, you can build resilience and overcome challenges, even when you're far from your support system.