For some, confidence comes easy. It’s like they were born with a natural ability to shine radiantly in any room they enter. However, for others, self-confidence can be a bit harder to grasp, often influenced by life experiences, socialisation, and traumatic backgrounds. If you find yourself struggling in the confidence department, remember: that you're not alone, and it’s okay to feel this way. Building self-confidence is a journey, and here are some tips that can help you become the confident being that you've always wanted to be.
Prioritise Personal Hygiene
Although this might seem simple and unimportant to you, taking care of yourself physically can have a profound effect on how you feel internally. When you smell good, look fresh, and feel clean, it creates an immediate boost in your mood and your confidence. Imagine getting out of your house without taking a shower, teeth unbrushed and looking shabby: you'll feel insecure about yourself the whole time. You might even feel like everyone is staring at you, pointing your flaws out. This will automatically make you feel unconfident about yourself. However, if you take a long shower, brush your teeth and groom yourself, you'll probably start feeling radiant and in turn, become more confident about yourself. Confidence starts with feeling secure in your own body and by exercising personal hygiene, you'll feel more secure in your skin, making you the confident individual that you want to be
Celebrate Small Wins
Sometimes, we fall into a cycle of feeling inadequate and stagnant because nothing drastic seems to be changing in our lives. Maybe you don't have the job that you want, your relationships are not working well for you and you are struggling financially. All of this will make you feel like you are failing and this will leave you feeling embarrassed by yourself, harming your confidence. You should, however, remember that regardless of your not being where you want to be, you still have many things to be grateful for and to celebrate. By putting the limelight on the small things that are manifesting in your life and celebrating them, you, therefore, stay conscious of the fact that even if some things aren't where you want them to be, you are still working towards something bigger. This realisation will keep you confident, even during dark times.
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s human nature to hold ourselves on an extremely high pedestal in life and to have very high hopes for ourselves. However, the catch is that when we fail to achieve these things, we fall into a cycle of self-criticism. It's much easier for people to be empathetic toward everyone around them but when it comes to showing yourself a little grace, we then fail dismally at it. Keep in mind that the only person who can shower you with the most love and the most kindness is yourself because you know all that you've been through to get where you are. So don't turn against yourself but instead, show love to yourself and give yourself more grace when you make mistakes. By breaking this cycle of self-criticism, you'll be able to let go of the shame associated with self-blame that may be holding you down and find yourself being more confident.
Self-Affirmations
Do you know that you are worthy, loved and deserving of all the good things in life? Did you also know that you are strong, capable and powerful when it comes to your life, goal and all that is affiliated with you? Well, if you didn't, then you. You need to, therefore, tell yourself these things and speak them into your life so that you register it in your mind. Instead of doubting yourself, you should instead feed yourself with these affirmations as they will help you expose the negativity and replace it with positivity, allowing you to crack your shell and show your confident self into the world.
Develop Your Skills
Feeling like you are not equipped enough in life can make you feel less confident. You see, your abilities are sometimes the only thing that gives you confidence. So, in this case, despite not being the richest or the best dressed, the confidence you have in what you can do will leave you feeling confident in any room that seemingly better people may be. You should, therefore, dedicate time to learn and grow in an area you are passionate about as this will help you build a sense of accomplishment that can leave you feeling more confident. Any time you can and opportunity you get, upvote different skills, as small as they may be, and you'll notice how this shift in your abilities will make you feel more self-assured and confident in any situation you find yourself in.
Choose Your Circle Wisely
The people who you keep around you can either elevate you or leave you worse off than you initially were. Because of this, we need to be mindful of the people we keep around us if we want to grow and self-actualize. Instead of keeping people who demean your aura and always have negative things to say about you, seek out friends and mentors who inspire you, encourage your growth, and celebrate your successes. A positive support system can act as a safety net, helping you take risks and face challenges with greater assurance and ultimately, with confidence.
Confront Your Fears
The more you are afraid of your fears, you will lose confidence in yourself and feel equipped to tackle real-life situations. It is, therefore, of great importance that you face your fears head-on instead of avoiding them if you want to build your confidence back. As scary as it might be, challenge the things you fear. In the end, you'll be surprised at how they won't be as scary anymore. Whether your fear is public speaking or entering a room full of people, challenge it. This process will not only help you gain confidence, but it will also teach you that you’re capable of handling challenges that once seemed like unmovable mountains.