Confidence can change your life, inside and out. You can feel more comfortable in your mind and body. You are more likely to push yourself harder at work and strive for bigger opportunities. Confidence can give you an extra pep in your step and change your outlook on the world.
It takes time to develop true confidence. Many people fake confidence when they feel self-conscious on the inside. You need to dedicate a lot of time and effort to building confidence.
Here are a few ways you can feel more confident instead of just faking it.
Look inside
Confidence isn’t just about walking with an extra pep in your step. You may need to take a hard look in the mirror and think about what holds you down. Perhaps your mental health is a big issue for you, and you need to get some professional help. A counsellor can help you work through your confidence issues in a safe and healthy way.
You can identify what exactly is holding you back and how to work through it. You need to process these issues so you can establish a healthier perception of yourself. Real confidence comes from how you feel about yourself – not what other people think.
Refresh your wardrobe
Once you have done some soul searching, it’s time for a makeover. Splash out on a new wardrobe to go with your new sense of confidence. You might find yourself gravitating towards bright colours and patterns instead of your usual darker colour palette. When you feel better on the inside, bold clothing suddenly doesn’t seem as daunting. Indulge in a luxury lingerie set to wear under your everyday clothing as well.
Don’t think about yourself negatively
Affirmations are a fantastic way to build confidence. Ask your closest friends to write down three things they love about you. If you feel awkward asking them, explain that you are trying something new for your mental health. Write down what they say on your bathroom mirror and repeat the affirmations every morning.
Reframe your internal monologue and eliminate any negative thoughts. Over time, you can learn to catch yourself in a negative thought pattern and replace them with happy thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I look awful today”, you could think, “need some self-care today because I’m not feeling too great.”
You need to practice healthy habits every single day. Small healthy habits can change your thought process and make you feel confident inside and out.