‘And I thought, bahut low target tha TV’: When Nafisa Ali Sodhi said she participated in Miss India to win a television set and how she had self-doubt on the international stage

She continued, “And I thought, bahut low target tha TV, pata nahi kyu yaha main itni dur aayi hu, kis baat ke liye. I panicked. Magar I became the second runner-up (sic).”

Her words remind us that sometimes what we expect in life can quickly shift when faced with reality. It makes us wonder how external pressures and comparisons affect personal growth and mental health.

 

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How do experiences of sudden comparisons with others in competitive environments affect a person’s mental health and self-esteem?

Sakshi Chadha, clinical psychologist at Mindtalk by Cadabams, tells indianexpress.com, “The human brain is wired to assess and compare — it’s a survival instinct. However, when placed in high-stakes environments where everyone is at their best, comparison can become a source of distress rather than motivation.”

She adds, “According to Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory, individuals determine their self-worth by evaluating themselves against others. In competitive environments, such as beauty pageants or corporate boardrooms, this comparison often magnifies insecurities, leading to imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and in severe cases, performance anxiety.”

In competitive settings, Chadha states that people overestimate how much others notice their flaws, increasing self-consciousness. “Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that this cognitive distortion fuels social anxiety and self-doubt.”

When faced with an unexpected reality — like realising that 63 other contestants are equally or even more physically striking — it’s natural to feel inadequate. “However, reframing the comparison as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat is key to maintaining emotional stability in competitive spaces,” notes Chadha. 

Managing self-doubt and anxiety when faced with high expectations from both external and internal forces 

According to Chadha, the weight of societal, familial, and personal expectations can create a mental battlefield, making self-doubt feel inescapable. However, managing it isn’t about eliminating doubt but learning to navigate it effectively. Cognitive reframing helps shift negative thoughts into empowering perspectives, while grounding techniques like mindfulness and deep breathing can restore composure in high-pressure moments. “Setting personal benchmarks instead of seeking external validation fosters long-term success, as studies in Applied Psychology suggest. Additionally, practicing self-compassion, as emphasised by Dr Kristin Neff, reduces stress and boosts confidence, making it easier to push through challenges with resilience,” she concludes.