8 Ways to Boost Your Confidence

We live in a difficult era when it comes to appearances. Everywhere we look, we see beautiful people who seem to have better lives than you. Whether it’s through TV, social media or magazines, we’re constantly surrounded by filtered pictures of people living the “perfect life.” This can cause our self-esteem to deteriorate. To counteract this harmful mindset, follow these tips on how to feel good about yourself!

1. Compliment Yourself. If you’re having a great hair day or you love the way you look in an outfit, compliment yourself! This can boost your self-esteem and make you feel good. Even if you have a couple of zits on your face or your hair won’t cooperate, find something to appreciate about yourself. It can be anything, ranging from the physical (your pretty eyes, your lovely smile, or attractive body) to your personality (like how kind you are or how you can make anyone laugh). Try to get in the habit of doing this. Before you know it, you’ll start falling in love with yourself.

2. Positive Affirmations. Positive affirmations help you self-regulate emotions. Repeat affirmations a couple times a day. Whenever you have a negative thought about yourself, counter it with something positive. For example, you can say “I am a good person,” “I love myself,” and “I am loved.” You can say affirmations in your head, out loud, in front of a mirror, or sitting on your bed. Over time, you will start believing the affirmations and it will become natural.

3. Embrace your Natural Skin.  While wearing makeup can be an empowering, creative way to express yourself, it’s important to take occasional breaks, and remind yourself of your natural beauty! Embracing your natural beauty is essential to self-love. Instead of always covering your pimples or scars, learn to cherish them. It may be difficult at first, but nobody is judging you! Side Note: ALWAYS wash off your makeup before you go to bed. Wearing makeup to bed clogs your pores, causing acne.  

4. Cut Back or Cut Off Social Media. Social media causes people to feel insecure and depressed. Following attractice influencers with “perfect” lives will only damage your self-esteem. More often than not, what you see on social media is far from the truth. People only post the good times, fail to show the bad times, and how their life truly is. People use filters, pose in certain angles, suck in their stomachs, and cover up their imperfections. Social media has forced people to live up to the impossible standard of perfection. Whether you decide to totally cut off social media, or merely cut back, any reduction will make a difference. 

5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others. This can take some time, and doesn’t happen overnight. Recognize that everyone is built differently and has different paths in life. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, think about what you do have. Be thankful for the beauty that you’re born with. 

6. Find Ways to Improve. There’s always room for improvement; we all have potential for growth! Take up a new hobby, learn a new skill, exercise more...anything! Enroll in that ceramics class, learn a new instrument, study that new language. You can also sharpen the skills you already have. Find ways to become a better artist, writer, cook, athlete, student, and so much more. The more you learn, the more you will blossom, and you’ll start to feel better about yourself.  

7. Count Your Blessings. This process takes some time. Be thankful for the roof over your head, your bed to sleep in, and food to eat. Counting your blessings will fill your life with joy and beauty, as you understand the gifts hidden in every moment. This practice is especially crucial when you’re having a bad day. Remember it’s a bad day; not a bad life. 

8. Change What You Don’t Like & Strive for Your Goals. You don’t have to remain stagnant; you CAN change your habits and life course. You don’t like how you overthink? Find new coping strategies or therapy to help you remain calm! You don’t like your job? Find a new one that pays well. You have a book you want to publish? Research literary agents. The world is your oyster. With hard work and perseverance, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Start with small goals and work your way to accomplishing bigger goals. The more you accomplish, the better you will feel. You can do it!

I hope these tips help you or someone you know. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves. Pull yourself out of society’s trap and elevate yourself into a better life! We’re all imperfectly beautiful and you CAN embrace the skin you’re in.                     

Written by: By M.J. Darling