5 Ways To Feel More Confident

After seeing I FEEL PRETTY and interviewing Amy Schumer about it’s positive message it got me thinking: what makes us feel confident?/ How do we achieve self confidence? Sure, we hear that “confidence is sexy” and it’s the “key to success” or that it will make our lives more fulfilling. But how do we get there?

As someone who has struggled with self-esteem her entire life, I recently made a major change in my self confidence by adding a few things to my daily routine. They’re not 100% fool-proof and it’s possible they may not work for you, but I know that they have helped me obtain a positive self image and overcome that nasty negative inner dialogue.

1. Let Go Of Fear. How is fear relevant to self-confidence? It fuels our insecurities, which can keep us from things that bring us joy. Whether it’s fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, or fear of failure, they all hold us back from being the best versions of ourselves. For years I had let all three of these fears hold me back from blogging. Once I finally let go of that fear and jumped into the unknown open-minded and ready to express my passion, it opened up an entire new world. I let go of my fear of the camera and forced myself to look at my body through the lens of my husband, who was wielding it. I learned to be kind to myself appreciate what I have, and in time learned to love my body for what it is flaws and all. Letting go of fear gave me freedom to be myself and feel confident in my skin!

2. Get Moving. In the words of Elle Woods: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!” When you get moving, your central nervous system and pituitary gland release neurotransmitters known as endorphins, which are known to react with receptors in your brain in a similar way as morphine. They act as analgesics, which means they relieve pain, and trigger positive feelings. Essentially, they make you happy! That’s why regular exercise has been known to improve people’s mood, energy, reduce stress and boost self confidence! I know that when I’m regularly exercising I feel physically at my best, which also makes me feel mentally and emotionally at my best. It helps me stand a little taller and make healthy decisions throughout the day, which is always great for self esteem. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do a full two hour workout every day to get your endorphins going. It can be as simple as taking a 30 minute walk in the morning before work or after you get home in the evening. Ease yourself into it and make it enjoyable by having a friend join you! Once it becomes a habit, you’ll see the improvements it can make to your self confidence.

3. Treat Yo’Self. I purposely wanted this to follow the exercise tip. We all want to eat right, exercise, and be healthy. But don’t forget that it’s ok to treat yo’self every now and then! Whether it’s having a decadent meal, going to the spa for a massage or facial, taking quiet time to yourself, or buying that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing, it’s nice to reward yourself every now and then. Reward systems can help us reach goals and give us an extra pep in our step when we finally reach them.

4. Unclutter Your Life. Nothing makes my stress increase quite like a cluttered house. My stress and level of organization is directly linked to my self confidence. Laundry everywhere, knick knacks laying around, or things just being a general mess can make you feel like you don’t have control of your life. It makes YOU feel like a mess, which sends my confidence straight down the toilet. So take a little bit of time at the end of each day or even take a minute before your leave a room to clean up and put stuff away. Start noting events, plans and to-do’s on a calendar, whether it’s on your phone or in a hand written planner, to keep track of them. You’ll be able to approach your day with more confidence! If things get out of control, make the tie to get re-organized. Having your life uncluttered will help your brain feel uncluttered and lead to a better, more positive state of mind.

outfit details: bikini // similar sunglasses // self tanner // lipstick in ‘garden party’

5. Practice Self-Awareness and Meditation. Meditation and self-awareness is something that I’ve been trying to incorporate more regularly into my day because of all of the amazing benefits I’ve heard about. Studies show that regular meditation reduces anxiety, stress, depression, negative body image and improves mood. I recently downloaded the Omvana app and started taking just 10 to 15 minutes a day (it doesn’t happen every day yet, but I’m getting there!) to listen to a guided meditation. It’s my moment of quiet, almost a treat to myself, and another way to practice self-love by taking care of my mental health. The first mediation I did was for anxiety relief. I had started spiraling out of control and was having an anxiety attack that I just couldn’t move past. So I opened it up, put my headphones in, and laid on the floor in a clean space. I was amazed at how grounded and relaxed I felt afterward! It helped me move past my anxiety and get back on track with a confident outlook on the day. Now I’m hooked! I’ve already seen the benefits by incorporating meditation and self awareness in my daily routine. I can’t wait to see where it takes me!

I hope you found these tips helpful in trying to boost your self-confidence! If you have any questions, please comment below.