Every time you go out into the world, you keep your head down to avoid looking at anyone, and hope they won't look at you too. When you see an attractive or a talented person, you feel bad. Deep inside, you wish you can be like them. You're constantly dissatisfied, you always blame yourself and you have this chant in your head that goes “I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough”. You have an inferiority complex. Everyone's got their own little reason to feel bad about themselves. Whether it's from physical defects, mental limitations or social differences, a person can feel ashamed and embarrassed of who he or she is. Although it's common among many people, inferiority complex is not a healthy feeling. If you don't get rid of this, it'll lead to depression, stupid risks to please others, or a sad and unfulfilled life. Feeling Inferior? Even though you don't notice it or admit it to yourself, it's possible that you have an inferiority complex. This disorder comes from different causes. For example, you may have been brought up by your parents who often compare you with your siblings. You may also have physical imperfections, such as a speech defect, weight problem or disproportional facial features. Mental restrictions, such as when you feel someone is smarter than you, can also lead to an inferiority complex. Another reason can be your social status, especially if you come from an underprivileged family. Before you can get rid of this depressing feeling, you should first accept that you have an inferiority complex. Signs that you have this disorder include:

• You're timid and you keep things to yourself.
• You're very sensitive to criticisms and comments of others, whether positive or negative, regardless of how they are given.
• You always fish for compliments to feel good.
• When others praise you, you question their sincerity because you think what they say is against what you believe.
• You blame others for your failure, and you think people are always trying to ruin you.
• You don't like being in competitions, but you like the feeling of winning.
• If you exhibit any of these symptoms, then you have inferiority complex. It's time to squash it out and feel good about yourself.

You Are Who You Are As you look at the people around you, you realize all the wonderful things they have. Miss X has perfect curves, while you're nothing but skin and bones. Mister Y has that brand-new Porsche, while you drive a beat-up station wagon. Your smart classmate gets higher grades than you in calculus, even though you studied all night. Stop comparing yourself to others. Making comparisons is not a healthy habit. Yes, you may have noticed all the good points people around you possess, but just because they have those things or qualities doesn't mean you're lower in standing than they are. Remember that everyone has their own traits, strengths and weaknesses that make them unique in their own way. Don't compare what you have with what others have. Instead, think about your own assets. You may not have large breasts, but you've got flawless legs. Your station wagon may be old, but it's reliable and takes you wherever you want to go. Your calculus grades may be average, but you excel in Literature class. Think of these and feel good about them. It'll take away your insecurity. Go Improve Every time you attend math class, you just slouch in your chair and observe your bright classmates raising their hands and answering every question correctly. With every right answer they give, you feel more and more depressed. You know you're no good with numbers and you can't compete with their brains. If you keep doing this, your inferiority complex will worsen. Instead of hanging onto that mindset, why not improve yourself? Take the example above. Yes, your classmates may be brilliant in math, but instead of just sulking away, why don't you do something about it? Study harder, so you'll understand the lessons better. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask your friends or your professor. You can even get a tutor. Eventually, you'll improve and realize you can be as smart as everyone else. Once you do this, your inferiority complex will fade away. You're Talented Another reason why people develop inferiority complex is because they think they're not good in anything that they do. They become envious of people who are more talented, wishing they can do the same. If you always feel like this, just remember that no one is ordinary. Everyone of us has been blessed with a certain talent that sets us apart from others. What you need to do is to identify what your talents are. Find out what talents you possess and focus on them. If you can't sing a tune to save your life, blow them away with your moves on the dance floor. If you're not big, bulky and made for football, you may try your hand at chess or theater. If you suck at painting, then why not try cooking? Lastly, always strive to improve in whatever you are doing. Knowing that you're getting better everyday helps boosts your confidence. Affirm And Affirm Think postive. Discard any negative thoughts, and think of positive affirmations that can lift your mood instead. Tell yourself that you're a special and gifted person. Keep repeating this thought everyday, while you're going through your typical routine. Affirmations build up your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself. Here's another tactic --- list down all your positive characteristics and traits on a piece of paper. Then, carry it with you everyday. When a tough time arises, take out that list and read it several times. It'll boost your morale and get you through. Be Beautiful Oftentimes, you feel bad about yourself because you don't have a face that can launch a thousand ships. In a world full of beautiful people, how will you stand out? It's easy to feel sorry about yourself when it comes to physical appearance, but remember, looks are not everything. You may not be as skinny as Kate Moss or as pretty as Rihanna, but you should still consider yourself attractive. Instead of moaning and complaining about your appearance, why not just make yourself beautiful? There's one simple way to do this: groom yourself. Make yourself look as pleasing as possible and take note of your daily hygiene, like showering, brushing your teeth, wearing deodorant and shaving. Wear clothes that emphasize your features and complement your body. Use accessories. If you look good outside, you'll feel good inside. You should also take note on how you carry yourself. Do you slouch when you walk? Are you self conscious about your movements? Do you study yourself in front of every mirror you pass by? Forget all these mannerisms. Carry yourself proudly and believe that you're beautiful. In the eyes of many people, you really are. Keep Your Head Up Remember, you're just as good and wonderful as the other people around you. Everything said about you in the past doesn't matter anymore. Chances are half of them aren't even true. Forget about all those unpleasant memories and just be proud of yourself. Throughout your life, you've been called various names like idiot, dumb, stupid, moron or fool. You should throw away all these labels. They can hinder your path while you're overcoming your low self-esteem. Once these names are out of your mind, however, you'll feel better. If someone calls you by these names again, ignore them. Don't mind people who try to put you down. If you still keep thinking you're not good enough, remember this line from Eleanor Roosevelt: "No one can make you inferior without your consent." Throw away your insecurities. Be optimistic and feel good about yourself. Overcoming this hurdle in life is always up to you.