While you may have previously dealt with confidence issues during your time, seeing them reappear in adulthood can be both alarming and disheartening. After all, isn’t this the time of our lives when we are supposed to have everything worked out?
However, the truth is that our confidence levels tend to rise and fall during different periods of our lives. This is because our confidence is controlled by factors that are often outside of our control!
Fortunately, there are also many steps you can take to work on rebuilding your confidence so that you begin to feel more like your usual self again. Here are some simple strategies that you can use to get started!
Schedule a glow-up.
Whether you’re feeling self-conscious about your reflection or it's been a while since you last invested in your appearance, a glow-up could be a great starting point on your confidence journey. After all, it encourages you to dedicate time to self-care, whether you’re perfecting your haircare routine or learning a new make-up technique.
Visit the dentist.
While many people shudder at the thought of going to visit a dentist, regular check-ups (or cosmetic appointments), can help you to achieve the smile of your dreams. This, in turn, can help you build your confidence, especially when it comes to your appearance. As such, now is the perfect time to stop putting off that dental appointment!
Get your body moving.
While you may already be aware of this fact, regular exercise is key to boosting your confidence. This is because movement of any kind, be that yoga or running, triggers the release of confidence and mood-boost endorphins and hormones. That’s why we often feel so good after working out, no matter how much we do not feel like getting sweaty beforehand. Furthermore, working out can also help you to get your dream body.
Despite this, it's important to remember that you won’t see the results of working out overnight. It's a gradual process during which you will begin to notice changes not only in your appearance but also in your mindset.
Spend time with your friends.
Spending time with your friends could also provide you with the confidence boost you need to get back out there. For example, now is the perfect time to reach out to your long-distance bestie to schedule a virtual hangout or to invite a friend who lives a little closer to home for a coffee. Spending time with those who uplift us can help us to step away from negative thoughts and move towards more positive ones!
On a similar note, now may also be the time to cut the cord on any toxic relationships that you participate in. Friends who bring you down are not real friends at all and, as such, are not worth your time and energy. While it can be difficult to take this action, you’ll soon notice that your confidence begins to improve when you have removed any negative influences from your inner circle!
Consider making a change.
Sometimes, confidence is earned through taking a leap into the unknown or embracing a new challenge. After all, this then shows us that we can do whatever we set our mind to, whether we are making a career change or trying out a new exercise class.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be tough, but it is rewarding. When doing so, try not to focus on how far you have to go - but how far you have come, too. This will show that you are on the right track when it comes to making positive changes reinforcing your self-worth along the way.
Change the way you speak to yourself.
We are often our own biggest critics - which means that we often do not need to look further than our reflection to find the culprit behind our diminished confidence. After all, its often the quietest voice in our head that offers up the most critiques.
As such, learning to change the way you speak to yourself can work wonders when it comes to your confidence. It means that when looking in the mirror, your first thoughts will be positive ones rather than critiques or that you’re filled with a stronger sense of self-assurance when trying new things.
Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can begin to reframe negative thinking and change the way you talk to yourself. Start by getting into the habit of complimenting yourself as often as possible. If you like how your hair looks today, say it outloud while getting ready, and so on.
Then, find ways to interrupt your negative thoughts. Whenever you feel critique brewing, or feel bad about yourself, try to reframe how you are thinking and turn it into something more positive. This can be tricky, but over time, you’ll find that you’re able to drown out the negative thoughts by replacing them with positive ones. This, in turn, will enable you to boost your confidence.
Consider talking to a therapist.
If low self-esteem is something that you have always struggled with, or you feel as though you have dug yourself into a hole you can’t get out, you may want to consider working with a therapist or counselor. Not only is this an incredibly healthy outlet for your emotions, but they’ll also be able to you to identify the root of your self-confidence issues so that you are able to figure out the best course of action moving forward.
Over time, this will help you build up your confidence, as you’ll know exactly which strategies to deploy when you aren’t feeling quite yourself. Of course, talking to your friends and family can reap similar benefits, but therapists have the added insight of professional qualifications to back up the advice they offer.
Reaching out to a therapist can be hard, but the benefits tied to taking this step are undeniable, especially when you feel as though you are starting from the ground floor when it comes to building your confidence.
