It’s not simple to be confident – but you can do it!

Confidence isn’t necessarily something you are born with, but a quality that can develop over time. Some people are risk-takers in life, while others are fearful of trying new things. It depends on your personality. Regardless of whether you like to try new things or you are more of the cautious type, you can work toward being self-assured. Being confident in yourself is a goal. You may struggle with self-esteem and worry that you’re “not enough.” If you have depression, you might struggle with these intrusive thoughts even more. But there are ways to boost your confidence that you have control over. Here are some simple ways to help yourself feel good.

Wearing: Asos jacket, trousers & jumper.

Daily affirmations

One way to increase your self-love is to practice talking to yourself with compassion. We are comfortable being kind to others, but treating yourself kindly can be more challenging. People talk about self-love, but it’s not as simple as “love yourself.” When people tell others to love themselves, it’s less about self-love and more about acceptance. Everyone has flaws, and we need to be gentle when we speak to ourselves. Here are some daily affirmations that you can use to boost your self-confidence:

• I love and accept myself
• I am doing the best that I can at this moment
• One step at a time
• I accomplished _____.
• I am a good friend

There are a few statements that will remind you to value yourself. You can make up affirmations to say aloud, and even write them down on post-it notes. Put them in your bathroom room or the fridge; as long as you have a constant reminder to appreciate yourself, that is what matters.

Challenge yourself

Life is more exciting when you try new things. When you accomplish something that you’re afraid to do, it can make you feel good. You might be afraid to go to a social event, or ask someone on a date. Maybe you’re scared to try rock climbing, and you want to see if you can conquer your fear of heights. Push yourself and do something that is out of your comfort zone. It could be something small like trying a new food you’re nervous to eat. It’s okay to try new things. When you move a bit outside of what you know, it can build confidence.

Dress to express yourself

Being confident can sometimes come from the outside. How to present yourself to the world can contribute to how you feel on the inside. Fashion is a great way to express your personality. Everyone has a personal style, and you can experiment with yours. Go check out a local thrift store and choose an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. If vintage isn’t your thing, check out a store that resonates with your style. Or, go through your closet and try on some different accessories. Even wearing a cute scarf can make you feel confident.

Help someone else

If you’re feeling down about yourself, one thing that can make you feel good is to help another person. You can give a friend advice who is having a hard time. When you help someone, you care about, and it’s validating. It will make you feel good about yourself and boost your confidence.

Working on confidence in therapy

Therapy is a place where you can work on your issues with self-esteem. A mental health professional can help you address any problems you have with confidence. Your confidence may be suffering because you have experienced trauma. If you suffer from anxiety, you might second guess yourself. A therapist understands these issues and wants to support you while you are exploring issues with self-esteem.

Guest Post from Marie Miguel

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.