As children, we feared the monsters living in our wardrobes. We begged our parents not to turn the lights out. And no matter what, we never looked under the bed, just in case one was hiding under there.
Fast forward a few years and we learn to rationalize the things that went bump in the night. It was nothing more than our imagination. A game we unintentionally played as we settled down to sleep.
But that’s not to say that monsters aren’t real, for even as adults, we continue to hide from the beasts. And the feeling of not being good enough is by far the biggest and ugliest of them all.
These ‘Not good enough’ quotes can offer some light in the darkness. To help you rationalize those feelings once again. And in time, believe that you are indeed completely and utterly enough.
How Can You Overcome the Feeling of Not Being Good Enough?
Going through a relationship breakup, a job rejection, and even a fallout with family all ignite the same horrible feeling of not being good enough. And it’s a hard one to shake off.
The lack of self-worth worms its way into every aspect of your life. You begin to criticize yourself and find every little flaw, like dinner being 10 minutes late. The small typo in an article you wrote. Or your car being a mess because you couldn’t find time to clean it.
Though your scenario may look different, that ever-sinking feeling remains the same. It’s hard to mentally breathe, as the waves of self-doubt rush over you. And all you can hear is your inner voice, judging and reiterating that you’re not good enough.
Where these insecurities came from may be difficult to pinpoint. But the chances are the people you surround yourself with, intentionally or otherwise, are either breeding or feeding your lack of self-worth.
A partner, your colleagues, or even your parents could be fueling your feelings of inadequacy with ridiculous expectations for perfection. It’s important to recognize the toxic behaviors and distance yourself from them.
Imagine that you’re carrying the weight of their actions around in a rucksack. With each disapproving word, the bag feels heavier, as if filled with rocks. Only you no longer wish to be weighed down by their judgment. And so, you leave the bag on the side of the road, allowing yourself to stand tall and walk freely.
Breaking away will undoubtedly be difficult, especially if the person weighing you down plays an important part in your life. But without the courage to say ‘Enough is enough’, they will only drag you further into the darkness of self-doubt.
Try using some of these ‘Not good enough’ quotes to find comfort, and know that you are not alone. Sometimes, the understanding of another human being is all we need to push forward.
So let’s get started.
51 Feeling Not Good Enough Quotes for 2024
- “I understand that feeling of insecurity, like you're not good enough as you are, and you need to change.” – Shannon Purser
- “I felt so much, that I started to feel nothing.” – Unknown
- “There’s not one human being on the planet earth who has never felt, at some point, unaccepted. At some point in our lives, we feel like we’re not good enough, but we have to step back and realize that we are.” – Jussie Smollett
- “Sometimes, I feel as useless as a white crayon.” – Unknown
- “Nothing will knock you down quicker than offering the best of yourself to someone and it still not being good enough.” – M.W Poetry
Nothing will knock you down quicker than offering the best of yourself to someone and it still not being good enough.” – M.W Poetry
- “People will try to label you not good enough, too slow, too old, too many mistakes. You can’t stop negative comments or prevent negative labels, but you can choose to not let them hold you back.” – Joel Osteen
- “It feels like I am living every day trying to impress someone.” – Unknown
- “I put a lot of pressure on myself. I think something's not good enough, and I won't stop until I feel like I've made it. I'm never satisfied.” – J. Cole
- “And if you don’t like me, as I do you; I understand. Because who would really choose a daisy, in a field of roses?” – Unknown
- “I’m sorry that nothing I do is good enough.” – Unknown
- “All I can tell you really is if you get to the point where someone is telling you that you are not great or not good enough, just follow your heart and don’t let anybody crush your dream.” – Patti LaBelle
- “The worst thing about that kind of prejudice… is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough.” – Nina Simone
- “Good enough is never good enough.” – Alfred Bertram Guthrie
- “Every time I looked in the mirror, it was like, ‘You’re not good enough.’ ‘There’s always someone more popular.'” – Brian Welch
- “I did the best I could, and in some arenas, my best was not good enough. I've made some bad choices.” – Amy Grant
- “And it is easy to believe you are not good enough if you listen to everybody else.”- Mackenzie Astin
- “Sometimes you might feel like you're not good enough or unique enough, but everyone is! Everyone has different personalities.” – Astrid S
Sometimes you might feel like you're not good enough or unique enough, but everyone is! Everyone has different personalities.” – Astrid S
- “And above all things, never think that you're not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief is that in life people will take you at your own reckoning.” – Isaac Asimov
- “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise Hay
- “It’s a lie to think you’re not good enough. It’s a lie to think you’re not worth anything.”- Nick Vujicic
- “I think the worst feeling in the world knowing that someone you used to talk to every day doesn’t care about you anymore.” – Unknown
- “You may never be good enough for some people, but you will always be the best for those who deserve you.” – Unknown
- “Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.” – Christian Nestell Bovee
- “We are afraid of failure, of ridicule, of being rejected. We are afraid we’re not good enough.” – Rhonda Britten
- “Shame is the most powerful, master emotion. It's the fear that we're not good enough.” – Brené Brown
- “Don't let anyone tell you that you're not good enough. Don't let anyone tell you that you're too short, you're too fat, you're too thin, you're too ugly – that's nonsense.” – Bradley Walsh
- “Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough; it means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer.” – Unknown
- “At your absolute best, you still won’t be good enough for the wrong person.” – Unknown
- “Sweetheart, the right guy will make you a priority. If you find yourself feeling like you’re not good enough, it’s because he’s not good enough.” – Steve Maraboli
- “I go to sleep every single night thinking I'm not good enough. I really do. I don't know if that's healthy or not. But I really do have a fear of not being good, and I don't like that.” – Diana Taurasi
- “There comes a point when you have to realize that you’ll never be good enough for some people. The question is, is that your problem or theirs?” – Unknown
- “The moment someone tells you or makes you feel like you’re not good enough is the moment you know you’re better than them.” – Unknown
- “Models are some of the most insecure people I've ever met. They're constantly being told they're not good enough. You've really got to practice loving yourself.” – Miranda Kerr
Models are some of the most insecure people I've ever met. They're constantly being told they're not good enough. You've really got to practice loving yourself.” – Miranda Kerr
- “There will always be someone who can’t see your worth. Don’t let it be you.” – Unknown
- “Self-doubt is the anchor that keeps our ships from sailing.” – Unknown
- “Your path is your path. Don’t compare it to others. Everyone’s timeline, obstacles, and triumphs are different.” – Jon Gordon
- “My biggest fear is that I'm not good enough. I have this voice in my head that I've been battling for years that says, ‘You're not really talented enough. You don't really deserve this.'” – Rachel Platten
- “Everyone’s journey is different. Don’t compare your path to anyone elses.” – Unknown
- “We start to feel not good enough and we withdraw our hearts energy and sensor our authentic expression, and that hurts!” – Agapi Stassinopoulos
- “She questioned her own beauty because of him he left scars on her self esteem…” – r.h. Sin
- “Sometimes all you can do is lie in your bed, and hope to fall asleep before you fall apart.” – Unknown
- “I guess I’m just not good enough for anyone. I can’t make anyone stay. I’m not even good enough for an explanation.” – Unknown
- “Everywhere I look, someone is telling me, ‘You're not good enough,' or, ‘You can't do this or that.' You can only hear that so many times before enough is enough.” – Baker Mayfield
- “It sucks, doesn’t it? Feeling like you’re not good enough.” – Unknown
- “You are not your mistakes: they are what you did, not who you are.” – Lisa Lieberman-Wang
- “There are times in your life when you realize that no matter what you do for some people, it will never be good enough.” – Unknown
- “I wanted to be all things you loved. yet sadly I am plagued with flaws haunted by the thought that I never met up to your standards.” – Unknown
- “I’m sorry I’m not what you wanted.” – Unknown
- “Who do you turn to when the only person in the world that can stop you from crying is exactly the one making you cry?” – Unknown
- “I could be perfect and it still wouldn’t be good enough.” – Unknown
- “If I asked you to name all the things you love, how long would it take to name yourself?” – Unknown
Final Thoughts on Feeling Like You’re Not Good Enough
If there’s one emotion that’s guaranteed to pull you down, it’s the feeling that you’re not good enough. No matter how quickly you bail the water from your ship, the waves of self-doubt keep coming. And eventually, you sink. But you are enough. Completely and utterly. And the sooner you start to believe that, the happier you’ll be.
Check out these strategies to forgive yourself for past mistakes and always remember to be kind to yourself. Whilst the world may be full of dark clouds, you are all the sunshine you need.
And if you want more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 71 You Are Worthy Quotes to Know You’re Enough
- 73 Overcoming Insecurities Quotes for a Confident You
- 65 Invest in Yourself Quotes to Find Success in Life
Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.
Rebel Jones has been writing from a young age. She first used poetry to organise words – the rhythm and flow brought peace to her chaos. But as she developed (both as a person and as a writer), she embraced her offbeat thought process and found her own style and tone. Writing is definitely her happy place and one that she’s happy to share with the world.
