Alicia Keys: 5 Ways to Overcome Self Doubt & Build Confidence Within

Alicia Keys reflects on her personal evolution, uncovering the inner challenges she faced and the steps she took to conquer self-doubt and embrace self-worth.

Alicia experienced doubts, fears, and anxieties earlier in her career that stemmed from a desire to be accepted and protected from rejection.

Alicia Keys recalls the inherent self-doubt rooted in her childhood, driven by a self-protective instinct to shield herself from potential failure or disappointment. She faced the fear of being hurt by those she loved, as well as anxieties over scarcity, such as not having enough money or losing what she had achieved. Alicia also wrestled with the desire for acceptance, particularly as she became a public figure, which came hand in hand with the pressure of pleasing everyone. Her upbringing contributed to feelings of unworthiness that she had to consciously overcome.

Alicia had to learn to stop listening to the negative self-talk and doubt from others, and instead focus on developing her own intuition, beliefs, and self-worth.

Alicia recognizes the worst advice she ever received was the suggestion to change herself to meet others' expectations, even if it made her uncomfortable, because it would likely be well-received. The need to protect herself from emotional harm, she realized, was intertwined with a struggle with vulnerability and self-doubt. To grow, Alicia learned not to rely on external validation but to trust her intuition, stand by her decisions, and embrace her beliefs, regardless of the outcomes. She highlights the significance of silencing negative self-talk, replacing it with positive affirmations, and not letting the doubts and fears of her mother and peers impact her. She speaks about practicing self-kindness and nurturing herself with the same warmth she would expect from others, learning from her younger son's tendency to be hard on himself.

Alicia discovered that the key to her personal growth was being patient and trusting the timing of things, rather than pus ...

Alicia Keys has developed a soulful approach to self-care, fusing physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness into a holistic practice. She shares her struggles, routines, and philosophy including the introduction of her own product line, "Keys Soul Care."

Alicia's struggles with her skin and stress-related issues led her to develop a deeper understanding of the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Alicia Keys struggled with her skin since her teenage years which caused her anxiety and self-consciousness. She discovered that her body physically reacts to stress with manifestations like skin issues. This realization prompted Alicia to find peace and identify activities that calm her spirit, which were essential since her commitments often left little room for such practices. She recognized the critical importance of tending to her soul's needs – a task that no one else could do for her. Alicia began to eliminate toxic energies from her life and embraced practices that nurtured her intuition and spiritual space.

Keys found solace in meditation, which she describes as a way to find center and quietness, and journaling has become a means for her to express her truth more freely than in conversations with others. Her self-care took form in engaging with the power and meanings behind crystals, something she became fascinated with after a trip to Egypt. In particular, she learned to appreciate lapis lazuli, a stone-known for providing courage and grounding. She even places these stones in her son's pocket to calm and ground him. Moreover, Keys enjoys drawing from ancient rituals, incorporating oils, herbs, and crystals into a bath routine that suggests a release of negative energy.

Alicia's "Keys Soul Care" philosophy and product line aim to blend physical self-care with spiritual and emotional wellness.

Alicia Keys' understanding of soul care translated into a comprehensive skincare line blending self-care with spiritual depth. Each product from the "Keys Soul Care" collection encapsulates affirmations that forge a connection with the user, urging them to stay present, trust their intuition, and foster self-acceptance. For instance, the affirmation on the illuminating serum, "I give myself permission to glow," stimulates a sense of empowerment, allowing individuals to embrace their success and happiness fully.

Moreover, Alicia's products have evocative names l ...

Alicia Keys shares insights into her parenting style, focusing on how she instills wellness practices, setting boundaries, and fostering emotional intelligence in her children.

Parenting with Intention and Example

Teaching Wellness Practices

Alicia Keys discusses her intention to keep her children grounded and emotionally intelligent through wellness practices like meditation, gratitude, and prayer. She understands the importance of leading by example, rather than simply instructing her kids, as the most effective method for passing on these values. For instance, she mentions adding a crystal in her son's pocket for support, reflecting her practice of incorporating elements that carry personal significance and encourage wellbeing.

Setting Boundaries and Allowing Autonomy

Keys speaks about teaching her children boundaries, particularly in public engagements, and encourages her son Genesis to set his own boundaries when he feels uncomfortable being recognized in school because of her fame. She appreciates when her son Egypt is recognized for his talents, separate from her celebrity status, as it allows him his own identity.

Alicia stresses the balance between imparting structure and affording her children the liberty to explore and express themselves. This nuanced parenting includes respecting her children's strong personalities and their right to voice their opinions. By observing their attributes and listening more, she allows Egypt and Genesis the space to feel, share, and speak freely, aiming to let them express themselves authentically.

Avoiding the Projection of Limiting Beliefs

Alicia Keys is conscious of not projecting her own doubts or limiting beliefs onto her children. She discusses th ...

Alicia Keys offers insights into her creative process and the intricate journey of her long-term project, "Hell's Kitchen," which reflects her growth as an artist and a person.

Alicia's 13-year journey to bring her musical "Hell's Kitchen" to Broadway taught her the value of patience, determination, and surrounding herself with the right creative team.

Alicia Keys openly discusses the extensive and challenging process of working on her musical, a significant dream she nurtured for 13 years. Keys describes "Hell's Kitchen" as a passion project that required her to step out of her regular world into creative workshops with a writer and director, collectively forging the universe of the show. Michael Greif, a guiding director, alongside a collaboration with the public theater, brought essential clarity and structure to the project. Keys has embraced an incremental work process involving intense periods of activity and breaks for reflection, helping her navigate the story's direction. She's learned to welcome additional perspectives while keeping her original vision intact.

Alicia had to learn to balance her natural perfectionism and control tendencies with allowing room for input and collaboration from others to elevate the final product.

Alicia recognizes herself as a control freak, aware of her vision for "Hell's Kitchen" and insistent on its precision. She's learned, however, the importance of occasionally stepping back to let the creative process organically unfold. Keys discusses striking a balance between her perfectionism and the need for input from others, mentioning how open collaboration can spawn new ideas and polish the initial concept. She advises that struggles in collaboration can indicate a mismatch, whereas positive, contributive partnerships enhance the project's outcome. Maintaining the core vision while being open to growth and improvement is a delicate act she has learned to navigate.

Alicia found that her extensive experience in the music industry gave her the knowledge and confidence to take on a new creative challenge in the theater world.

Alicia relies on her musical background to instill confidence and knowledge in her f ...