Is It Doubt… or Negative Energy? How to Tell the Difference When You're Growing
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sat on the edge of something new—something my soul felt excited about—and suddenly I’m spiraling. The doubts creep in. The heaviness shows up. My mind gets loud, and I start to question everything:
“Am I making this up?”
“Who am I to offer this?”
“Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe it’s not the right time.”
Sound familiar?
This happened when I taught my first Reiki class. It happened again when I launched my crystal course. And yes, even when I hit “send” on this blog. Over the years, I’ve learned to pause and ask: Is this doubt? Or is this something deeper—an energetic influence that’s not mine at all?
Knowing the difference can save you from stalling your growth—or absorbing energy that was never yours to begin with.
Doubt: The Mind’s Way of Keeping You Safe
Let’s start here. Doubt is usually yours. It’s a protective mechanism, born from your experiences, fears, and conditioning. It’s the whisper that says, “Slow down. This feels scary.” Doubt can show up when you're stepping into unfamiliar territory—especially when you’re following a soul nudge.
It often sounds like:
“I don’t know enough yet.”
“People won’t get it.”
“What if I fail?”
When doubt is present, I usually feel it in my solar plexus—it’s like a buzzing or tightness that sits behind the ribs. It pulls me inward, makes me question my value or timing. But here’s the thing: once I sit with it, breathe through it, or give it voice in my journal, it usually softens. Sometimes, it reveals an old story that just needs love.
Negative Energy: Not Yours, But It’s in the Room
Now let’s talk about the other thing—that cloud that rolls in out of nowhere. You're fine one minute, then the next you're exhausted, irritated, or suddenly anxious. There’s no clear trigger. That’s when I ask, Is this mine?
Negative energy is external. It can come from a space you’ve been in, a conversation that lingered, or the collective. It’s not always malicious—it’s just heavy, unprocessed energy looking for a place to land.
When it’s not mine, I feel it in my aura—like static. Sometimes it's a headache that won’t quit, a foggy brain, or a weight across my shoulders. I’ve learned to pay attention when this happens after being in certain environments or scrolling too long online. It's a cue to cleanse, not question myself.
So, How Do You Know the Difference?
Here’s how I check in:
Did this feeling come on suddenly, without a clear inner trigger? That’s a sign it might be energetic.
Does it respond to clearing practices—like Reiki, breathwork, or crystals? If it lifts, it wasn’t yours.
Does it keep looping in thoughts that sound like my own inner critic? That’s doubt.
Is it familiar? Have I felt this before at key growth moments? If yes, you’ve likely met this flavor of doubt before.
Working with Each One
If it’s doubt:
Give it a voice—but don’t let it take the mic forever. Journal it out. Offer yourself reassurance. Remind yourself that growth feels risky, not because you’re wrong, but because you’re expanding.
If it’s negative energy:
Cleanse. Reiki your space. Grab your selenite or black tourmaline. Take a salt bath. Call your energy back. You don’t need to analyze it—just clear it.
A Quick Practice
Next time you’re unsure, try this:
Close your eyes.
Say aloud: “If this is my doubt, show me gently.”
Then say: “If this is energy that’s not mine, I release it now.”
Take a few breaths and notice what shifts.
You’ll be surprised how clearly your body knows the answer.
Here’s what I know for sure:
Every time I’m on the edge of something meaningful, something rises up. Sometimes it’s my doubt, asking for compassion. Sometimes it’s energy that just needs to be moved. But either way, it’s not a stop sign—it’s an invitation to move forward, with intention.
Want more tools to navigate your energetic journey?
I share practices like this in my Reiki classes and healing sessions. If you're ready to explore how to work with your energy rather than against it, I’d love to walk that path with you.
