Week 6 - Confidence
This week, let's embark on a journey to cultivate self-esteem and confidence. Many of us have relied on various coping mechanisms or masks to navigate social interactions and boost our sense of self-worth.
In my own experience, seeking external validation often led me to assume roles or personas, hoping to gain acceptance. However, these facades only provided temporary relief, masking deeper insecurities. At first, when I stopped drinking, I struggled with a lack of confidence. I felt overwhelmed and awkward without alcohol as a crutch. The more I pushed myself into uncomfortable situations, the more I started to enjoy myself and feel more confident in my own skin. I was being unashamedly me, rather than trying to fit in and I began to like myself more, I felt a sense of respect for myself that hadn’t been there before and as time went by I noticed I felt more love for myself.
I learned to listen to my intuition rather than drown it out and ignore it.
I realised that before I had been a serial people pleaser. I wanted everyone to like me. I needed others to make me comfortable and to give me validation. This was because I couldn’t do this for myself. I didn’t have the awareness of it until I stopped drinking and started to work on self-love and confidence.
Now I know that the right people will like me, for me.
Upon stepping away from these crutches, I confronted a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. Without familiar buffers, I felt exposed, yet it was in this discomfort that true growth began.
As I embraced authenticity and honoured my inner voice, I discovered a profound sense of empowerment. No longer shackled by the need for external validation, I found confidence in simply being myself.
To further strengthen our confidence, let's integrate some powerful tools and practices into our journey:
Positive Affirmations: Let's create affirmations that resonate with us and repeat them regularly, especially during moments of self-doubt. Affirming our worth and capabilities can rewire our mindset and boost confidence.
Visualization: Let's visualize ourselves succeeding in various situations. By imagining ourselves confidently navigating challenges and achieving our goals, we can create a mental blueprint for success.
Self-Compassion: Practice self-compassion by treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, especially during setbacks. Treating ourselves as we would treat a good friend can provide much-needed support and encouragement.
Setting and Achieving Goals: Let's set realistic goals for ourselves and take steps to achieve them. Accomplishing even small goals can boost our confidence and self-esteem.
Facing Fears: It's time to step out of our comfort zones and face our fears gradually. Each time we confront a fear and overcome it, our confidence will grow.
Body Language: Paying attention to our body language can also enhance confidence. Let's stand tall, make eye contact, and practice open and confident posture. Research shows that adopting confident body language can positively impact our mindset.
Let's integrate these tools and practices into our daily lives, celebrating our successes and supporting each other along the way. Together, we can build the confidence to embrace our authentic selves and navigate life's challenges with resilience and grace.
I also want you to take some time to think about what makes you unique.
What are your best traits? What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
If you can’t think of any yet, then reach out and ask a friend. Celebrate yourself for once.