Follow us on
More of this topic
The confidence boosters that actually work
Pick-me-ups you will thank us for
Care about others (to an extent): We don’t mean care about all people all the time, but a lot of research has shown that caring about people makes you feel better about yourself. Caring can vary from small things like playing with your dog or volunteering at hospitals. At the same time, caring too much for certain people can be self-destructive. Always put yourself as your number one. And then help others.
Read a satirical, funny, easy-going book: It’ll take your mind off of everything and put all your focus on the story. It’ll also make you laugh and in turn feel good. And while you’re at it, have a warm cup of herbal tea or hot chocolate. These both boost your mood, not necessarily your confidence, but if you feel good, isn’t that part of feeling confident?
Accept compliments: Don’t shrug off compliments. Accept them and allow yourself to feel genuinely good about them. We also recommend complimenting yourself on a regular basis, because why not? Focus on your good qualities and highlight them, just don’t become egocentric.
Get a new wardrobe: No, this is not shallow. Clothes have a big impact on self-confidence. We’re not suggesting that looking good always equals feeling good, but it does play a big role in confidence. Would you feel more confident wearing ugly clothes or good clothes? Most people would say the latter.
Learn something new: This contributes to your personality and automatically makes you feel better. When you learn something new you work on your self-development and feel a sense of achievement, and that makes you more confident. Learn a new sport or even a new makeup look. Almost anything counts.
Fake it ’til you make it: English comedian and actor Ricky Gervais once said, “The best advice I’ve ever received is ‘No one else knows what they’re doing either.’” It’s okay not to feel confident, no one feels like a superstar all the time. Go easy on yourself and just fake it until you make it!
Face whatever is putting you down: Not happy with your weight? Go on a diet. Fix whatever is making you feel down. And if you can’t fix it right away, write it down or talk about it – it will make you feel better.
Learn to be happy in your own company and do something that makes you happy when you feel down: Shopping at the mall all day would make us really happy, but we’re not just talking about materialistic things. You can do something as simple as taking a bath and taking care of your body. Get a manicure or read a book. Go swimming if you like swimming or just watch your favourite movie. Create an exceptional life for yourself that’s not dependent upon others joining you. Find security in yourself and in your solitude. The more comfortable you are with yourself, the more confident you will be.
Accept your flaws: Obviously, everyone has them – except for Tom Hardy or Hugh Jackman. But jokes aside, learn to embrace your flaws so that they don’t pull you down and make you feel insecure. And if you can fix your flaws, do that as well.
Stop victimising yourself: As soon as you stop seeing yourself as the victim, you will feel much more confident. Victimising yourself makes you feel weak and helpless. Pick yourself up, put on some gangster rap (or classical music if that is your thing), and handle it.
