7 Things To Do For Yourself When You Need A Major Confidence Boost
Slay the game.
If you're suffering from low esteem and in the need of a good confidence boost, you're not alone. We've all been there.
Sometimes we are going to feel like a rockstar who can conquer the world and other times we feel really down about ourselves. We are aware of how important having confidence in ourselves is, but that doesn't mean we are always going to have it.
The thing is, if we allow a lack of confidence to stick around in our lives for too long, it can really start to have some long-term negative impacts. It can hinder our chances of success and happiness in our careers, relationships, and friendships, which is why it's important to nip those negative thoughts in the bud as soon as possible.
It's not just our own thoughts that can lead to low self-esteem. The words and actions inflicted upon us by others can have a trigger effect. If somebody tells you something negative about yourself enough times, you can start to believe it, even if it's completely untrue.
It's not just adults, either. Even children can suffer from a lack of confidence due to bullying and the pressures of social media, and sadly, they have the potential to carry that low self-esteem into adulthood.
For those of you who might remember the 1994 Disney film The Lion King (I know it's a children's animated movie reference but just run with me on this), there's a scene in which (spoiler alert) the ghost of Simba's father, the late King of the Jungle Mufasa, appears and tells his son, "Remember who you are". At this point in the film, Simba feels sorry for himself and has left the lion pride to grow up in hiding and had to be reminded he's still a prince and needs to remember that no matter what, that will never change.
For those of us in need of a confidence boost, we need to "remember who we are."
You have always been awesome and worthy, but sometimes we just need a reminder of that. So, if we know it's time to build up our confidence again, how do we go about doing it?
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Below are some seven things that you can do for yourself starting today that will give you that much-needed confidence boost because you absolutely deserve to live your best life.
1. Exercise.
Exercise is a great way to feel happier and be healthy and sometimes a good gym session is all it takes to boost your confidence. If you are struggling with body image issues, don't focus on working out in order to just achieve a false notion of perfection. It's about being healthy and according to the Mayo Clinic, it really does improve your mood! Look for workouts that make you feel good and allow you to have fun, too.
2. Volunteer.
When our confidence is low, we are dwelling on ourselves and our own problems. It's not to say that our problems are not valid, but sometimes a great way to get out of that funk is to focus on helping others instead.
You'll stop worrying about you and also feel better for doing a good deed. Volunteering at animal shelters, mentoring programs, and other community organizations are just a few of the many ways you can help out. No matter how bad you think you have it, sometimes we need a good reminder that there are those less-fortunate out there.
3. Acknowledge and let go of the bad things (or people) you've been putting up with.
If someone treats you poorly and you keep allowing this happen, that is definitely going to diminish your confidence. For example, if you have a friend in your life who you know isn't there for you the way a friend really should be, it's time to either discuss it or no longer make time for that person. Another example could be that your apartment manager still hasn't gotten around to fixing that window and you're sick and tired of waiting for it to happen.
Assert yourself and tell that apartment manager to get it done. Listen, people will walk all over us if we let them. It's about standing up for ourselves, not picking fights. Complaining for no reason is not a virtue, but when we've been dealing with unfair treatment, especially for a while, then it's time to speak up. Little ways of standing up for yourself more often will have a positive impact on your confidence.
4. Celebrate your achievements.
When it comes to our achievements in life, we have a way of forgetting what we've accomplished and dwelling on what we haven't. Instead of focusing on an opportunity you didn't get, make a list of your successes. Sometimes we just need a good reminder of how far we have come.
Also, stop beating yourself up when things don't go as you had wanted them to. If life gave us everything we wanted, it'd probably be quite boring and we'd never develop the courage to overcome obstacles.
5. Treat yourself.
Whether it's a pedicure, a nap, or a new haircut, sometimes treating ourselves to something nice is necessary and totally fine for a confidence boost. We've all bought that new dress or lipstick that makes us feel beautiful and empowered. If it's going to make us feel more confident, then why not?
6. Be mindful of what makes you feel confident.
A great song, that little black dress, or spending time in nature. These are just some of the ways that people might feel more happy and confident. Start taking mental notes of the things you do that make you feel good and feel confident. When you need a confidence boost, go back to that list and start using it as a tool to get back to your confident self.
7. Stop trying to be perfect.
Let go of the idea of perfection. It doesn't exist.
No matter how much we think it does when we scroll through our Instagram feeds or magazines, perfection is not real. Embrace the fact that we all make mistakes and everyone has their own flaws. This is especially true when it comes to body image, and if you are following people on Instagram that make you feel insecure, then stop doing it! Follow accounts that inspire you, not make you feel bad about yourself.
Jill Zwarensteyn is a writer and Michigan native. When she's not writing, Jill enjoys Zumba class, travel, and referencing classic Seinfeld episodes.