Confidence is a trait that everybody wants.
However, with 85% of people dealing with low self-esteem, it is something that many consider to be out of reach. Fortunately, this is not the case: you simply need to be willing to work for it. This way, you can build your confidence brick by brick, leaving you feeling much better about yourself afterwards.
Photo by Jordan Donaldson | @jordi.d on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are some effective strategies that you can use to start building your confidence.
Update your skincare. Working to refresh your skincare routine can do wonders for your confidence. This is because it can help to reduce any self-esteem issues caused by skin complaints such as acne, wrinkles and dryness (to name just a few). It’s also a great way to incorporate self-care into your daily routine, which is also typically associated with heightened confidence.
Fall in love with your reflection. Working to fall in love with your reflection will also boost your confidence quite considerably. This is because it will help you to feel better about yourself, which, in turn, will change the way you carry yourself.
There are many different ways in which you can set about achieving this goal. For example, if you are dealing with a receding hairline, you could look into getting a hair transplant. Alternatively, you may want to invest more heavily in your health and wellness, which could help to improve your relationship with your body.
Start taking risks. Whether you’ve been toying with the idea of changing careers, or something a little simpler, like trying a new exercise class, taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the easiest ways to boost your confidence. This is because the pay-off of doing so shows you that you’ve got what it takes to succeed, which, in turn, is sure to elevate your confidence and self-esteem.
Furthermore, you cannot really expect your confidence levels to change if you are not making changes in other areas of your life. After all, it would otherwise mean that you continue to deal with these self-esteem issues for years to come.
Start setting yourself goals. Setting realistic, achievable goals will also enable you to grow in confidence. This, again, is due to the influence it will have over your mindset, as it demonstrates that you can do whatever you put your mind to, whether you’re making changes in your personal or professional life. You should also be sure to celebrate whenever you reach a milestone, no matter how small it may seem in the grand scheme of things.
Don’t hold onto your mistakes. Making a mistake can, for obvious reasons, impact your confidence levels. However, this is something that you need to let go of if you’re looking to become more confident and self-assured. As opposed to carrying your past mistakes around with you, instead view them as a valuable learning opportunity and allow yourself to move on with your head held high. Otherwise, you’ll find that you are dealing with the same negative thoughts over and over again.
Talk about how you are feeling. While the thought of discussing your anxieties or self-confidence issues with those around you may seem terrifying, you’d be surprised at just how beneficial this is. For example, it could make you realise that what you’re spending hours worrying about isn’t that much of a big deal, putting things into perspective. Alternatively, you may benefit from getting a bit of a pep talk!
Sometimes, simply unloading our emotions and feelings can leave us feeling like a weight has been taken off our shoulders. And, if you’re not currently ready to talk to your friends and family, you could get similar benefits from working with a therapist or counselor. If you don’t like the idea of one-to-one therapy, you could join a therapy group instead. This can be particularly beneficial as it gives you the chance to connect with people in a similar situation to your own, while also becoming part of a supportive community.
Stop comparing yourself to others. Self-comparison can sometimes feel like a natural instinct. After all, it’s hard not to compare our lives to the lives of those around us, especially if you spend a great deal of time on social media. However, by working to put an end to this, you can kickstart your confidence by changing the way you think about yourself.
The easiest way to stop comparing yourself to others is to simply be more mindful of when you are doing this. This way, you can start to stop thoughts in their tracks, before they manifest as anxieties and self-doubt. You may also find it useful to take a break from scrolling on social media. In fact, various studies have found that even a few days away from social media can help change your mindset for the better. When you return, try to avoid spending too much time online and be a little more intentional about the accounts you follow or engage with. Don’t engage with content that makes you feel bad about yourself – simply hit that unfollow button.
Fake it to you make it. Here’s the big secret behind confidence: nobody is as self-assured or confident as they pretend to be. In fact, it is often the opposite. Confidence is simply a mask we wear in order to trick those around us (and even ourselves). As such, you may find that you’re able to build your confidence by learning to fake it till you make it. While this may seem difficult, you’ll likely find that you naturally start to feel confident over time.
Final thoughts. Confidence is a touchy subject for many adults. After all, we often feel like it is out of reach, especially if you’ve never felt all that confident in your younger years. Fortunately, there are plenty of steps that you can take to boost your confidence, from working to improve your relationship with your body and reflection, to stopping comparing yourself with others/.
