Overcoming Self-Doubt

"Ever Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough? Read This

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Insights from The Lazy Lord Masters the Sword

Self-doubt is a recurring theme in The Lazy Lord Masters the Sword, a web novel (manhwa) that explores the struggles of its characters as they grapple with their limitations, insecurities, and the pursuit of greatness. The story follows Airen Ferreira, an aristocrat who, after losing his mother at a young age, isolates himself from the world. In a society where people dedicate themselves to mastering magic, swordsmanship, farming, or governance, Airen does nothing. The longer he remains idle, the harder it becomes for him to take action, as criticism and self-doubt weigh him down.

One day, he has a dream of a man endlessly swinging a sword. The intensity of this vision inspires him to pick up a sword himself. When he steps outside for the first time, the world around him doubts his resolve. People expect him to give up the next day, but he returns again and again. This commitment leads him to a sword academy, where he ranks 400th out of 400 students. From this point on, the novel introduces several characters, each facing their battles with self-doubt.

Lloyd: The Fear of Never Measuring Up

Lloyd enters the academy determined to be the best until he discovers Illia, a continental prodigy, is also enrolled. Without even attempting to surpass her, he resigns himself to being second best and dedicates himself to that goal. His friends Airen and Judith progress rapidly, but so does he, and he remains better than them.

During a crucial test designed to impress the judges, Lloyd performs exceptionally well. He feels proud of his achievement until Illia delivers an awe-inspiring demonstration that overshadows his own. Then, to his shock, Airen, who started training only a few months prior, shatters every expectation, demonstrating a level of skill and power that leaves the audience and judges stunned. When the rankings are announced, Lloyd is third. At that moment, self-doubt consumes him. Will I ever be able to measure up?

Judith: Falling Behind Despite Hard Work

Five years later, Lloyd, Judith, and Airen have grown significantly in strength. They embark on a journey together, and initially, they are evenly matched. But as they train and push their limits, Judith feels left behind. No matter how much effort she puts in, sometimes even more than the others, she cannot close the gap.

When they reach a prestigious tournament, they learn that Illia has become a sword master while they are still at the expert level. Inspired, Airen trains relentlessly to surpass Illia. His progress is rapid, and he eventually wins the tournament, defeating Illia and Judith and becoming a sword master himself.

Judith is left with a painful question: Will I ever be good enough? Despite all her hard work, she feels like she is falling behind.

Illia: The Stronger I Get, the More I Fear

Illia’s brother, a prodigy like her, once lost to another exceptional warrior. That loss caused him to disappear, leaving a deep scar on Illia’s heart. Determined to be stronger than the opponent who defeated her brother, she dedicates herself to training. However, as she grows stronger, so does her fear. Am I strong enough? Will I ever be? No matter how much she improves, doubt lingers.

Airen: Is This Strength Truly Mine?

Airen’s entire journey started with the vision of the man swinging a sword. His motivation, his progress, and his strength all stem from that dream. As he becomes more powerful, a question haunts him: Am I truly improving, or am I merely following the will of that man? If not for him, would I even be here? Even as he surpasses his peers, self-doubt lingers in the background.

The Reality of Self-Doubt

What makes The Lazy Lord Masters the Sword so compelling is how every character faces self-doubt, even while helping others overcome theirs. Lloyd encourages Judith, yet he struggles with his fears and almost drops out of school. Judith supports her friends but wonders if she’ll ever catch up. Illia’s strength inspires others, but her insecurity eats away at her. Even Airen, the protagonist, questions the source of his progress.

Life isn’t so different from this fantasy world, aside from the swords and magic. Self-doubt is normal. You may conquer it today, only to have it return in a different form tomorrow. What truly matters is persistence: continuing to work on yourself, supporting others, and pushing forward despite your fears.

Ever Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough?

The key is to be better than you were yesterday. The you of today is not the you of last month or last year.

When I started playing volleyball in October 2024, I couldn’t receive or set properly. I wasn’t integral to any team. But just a few weeks ago, during team selection, someone pointed out that the teams were unbalanced because Uncle knows how to play. That moment was reassuring. I may not be a star player, but I have improved enough to make a difference.

Final Thoughts: Read with an Open Mind

I’ve been reading manga, manhwa, and manhua since 2017, and I’ve learnt countless valuable lessons from them. If you read with an open mind, you’ll find stories that resonate deeply with real-life struggles. Maybe you should try reading one today; you might just discover something that inspires you to keep moving forward.