Insecurity is something we all grapple with in our teenage years, but by the time we become parents or functioning adults we expect ourselves to simply “be confident” at work and in our personal lives. No one is born with limitless self-confidence, however – it’s something we have to work on, often over many years. So how can you improve your self-esteem when it feels like life repeatedly deflates it? Here are three tips to help you boost your confidence and start living life to the full.
Boost Your Confidence
Accept Yourself
Though a little self-love goes a long way, you don’t have to love yourself to be confident. Merely accepting who you are – your strengths, weaknesses and all your complex personality traits – will stop you striving for perfection and missing out on life. Learning to accept yourself is easier said than done, however, and it takes work.\
Start by doing something that builds you up every day, whether it’s dancing in front of the mirror, listening to your favorite tunes, practicing yoga and meditation or playing sport. Whatever it is that makes you feel your best, do more of it – and above all, do it for yourself, not anyone else.
Make Changes
It can be difficult to know which insecurities to tackle within and which to take care of on a more practical level. The whole self-love movement encourages us to embrace who we are, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to change something that makes you unhappy if it’s what you truly want.
If you want to lose weight, for example, then start exercising and consume healthier food. Living a healthier lifestyle will make you feel good inside and out, and you could meet new friends along the way. If hair loss is or another cosmetic issue is getting you down, don’t beat yourself up for wanting to make changes. There are some incredible hair transplant results online that show how these simple procedures can change the lives of many. In other words, if you think altering your appearance will boost your confidence, do it. Just don’t fall into the trap of thinking that looking different will solve all your problems.
Focus on Your Successes
It’s easy for people to tell you to “think positively,” but it’s not so easy to put into practice. The effects of positive thinking on the brain, however, are backed by science – as we fill our minds with positive thoughts, we effectively tape over the negative ones and begin to rewire our brains.
If you’re overly self-critical or prone to focusing on negative thoughts, try keeping a journal to steer your thinking in the right direction. You don’t have to be creative or a great writer to make a journal part of your daily routine; all you need to do is write down three things you achieved at the end of each day. They don’t have to be huge accomplishments– simply getting to work on time or cooking a nutritious meal count as achievements. If you make this into a habit, sooner or later you’ll have tricked your brain into thinking more positively.
