Confidence is one of the most coveted traits in the world – and for a good reason. Confidence can help you nail that job interview, squash first-date nerves, or simply ensure you walk with your head held high. More often not, the more confident we are, the happier and more content we feel.
Despite this, it’s perfectly normal to not feel 100% confident, 100% of the time. After all, there are a lot of different factors that can impact our confidence, such as:
- Professional setbacks (Performing badly, missing out on a promotion)
- Comparing yourself to others (especially celebrities)
- Changes in your physical appearance
- Your relationships
- How people respond to you
However, it’s also important to remember that confidence is a constant pursuit – you can’t just become confident one day and never deal with setbacks again. You have to work at loving yourself every day.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to supercharge your confidence this summer.
- Start doing things for you. Confidence is internal, which means it has to come from within – not from those around you. This means that you cannot rely on other people to lift you up. The easiest way to achieve this is to stop thinking so much about what others think, and start doing things for yourself. For example, if you want to dress with extraordinary confidence, start wearing the clothes you want to wear, as opposed to only following the latest trends.
- Make changes. If you want to supercharge your confidence, it’s important that you are able to identify what is taking away from it in the first place. This will allow you to make meaningful, impactful changes for the sake of your own happiness. For example, if you’re dealing with low body confidence, you could make certain lifestyle changes by scheduling in more workouts. Alternatively, you could pop by facilities such as the Après Plastic Surgery to see what cosmetic surgery could do for you and your confidence.
- Practice mindfulness. Becoming more mindful, be that through yoga or daily meditation is a great way to relieve stress and cope with anxiety, while also working on your confidence. This is due to the fact that when we are more mindful, we are more connected to our inner spirit as opposed to the external world. This means it’s easier to find peace, as you’re able to nourish and renew your spirit.
- Put together a self-care routine. Formulating a killer self-care routine can also work wonders for your confidence, due to the fact that it helps you realize just how much you deserve to be cared for. It shows you the value of putting time into looking after yourself, whether you use this time to perfect your skincare routine or re-read your favorite book. It’s also a great way to practice self-love, which we could all use a little more of.
- Step outside of your comfort zone. Your comfort zone is called your comfort zone for a reason – it’s comfortable. It’s a space where you feel safe. But that doesn’t mean you can stay there forever, and doing so could mean that you are limiting your success, happiness and confidence. As a result, if you’re looking to get more confident this summer, it’s time to work your way out of that comfort zone and try something new. For example, you could sign up for a new exercise class, or wear a daring outfit. It doesn’t need to be a life-changing venture, just something that will shake up your routine a little and show that you can do whatever you set your mind to.
- Speak up for yourself. There are many benefits to learning how to speak up or advocate for yourself. For example, in the professional world, it can help you take the next steps in your career while helping you conquer imposter syndrome. In your personal life, it can ensure that your needs are not ignored. However, it’s often easier said than done, especially if you’ve always been on the quieter side. Nevertheless, it’s a worthwhile pursuit. Remember: your voice deserves to be heard.
- Take a break from social media. Social media is addictive – whether you prefer to follow political commentary accounts or reality TV stars. However, while a little mindless scrolling may not seem too problematic, it could actually be killing your confidence. This is because the very nature of social media – receiving likes, shares and other interactions, can make us feel subconsciously competitive. For example, we might start to wonder why a friend gets more likes than us. Furthermore, as people only tend to upload content onto their socials when they look their best, it can make us feel inadequate. In any case, it’s important to remember that social media is not real life. Photos and videos can be edited to present a reality that does not exist. While keeping this in mind while scrolling is important, you may also benefit from a social media detox. To reduce temptation, delete the apps from your phone. You’d be surprised about how much clearer your head will feel after the break.
Spend time with the right people. While confidence is internal, it can be greatly impacted by those we spend time around, which means that it’s time to start being selective about the company you keep. Don’t stick around with a toxic friend who always puts you down, just because you’ve been friends for years. You deserve better than that. Instead, focus on investing your time and energy into people who lift you up, elevate your confidence, and make you feel good about yourself. This doesn’t mean you need to cut people out entirely, but you should at least start a conversation with them about how you are feeling. If their behavior doesn’t change, however, it may be time to cut that chord or minimize the amount of time you spend together. Remember, friendships are supposed to be fun and joyful. They should make you feel good about yourself – not the other way around!
Photos by RODNAE Productions and Brett Jordan