C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Here's How to Boost Your Self Confidence Like Never Before
Numerous humans all over the world struggle with maintaining their self confidence. It’s not uncommon to feel sad, angry or hopeless after you experience harsh comments aimed at your appearance, a broken friendship, an end to a marriage, or get a rejection from a job you really wanted. Building your self confidence back up after experiencing a hit may seem impossible at the exact moment you experience it, but it is possible.
Read on to learn four tried and true methods that can boost your self confidence like never before.
Sad Redhead Child
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My earliest self confidence hit came at me when I asked my nursery school friend, Ty, to be my boyfriend. He said no because he didn’t like girls with red hair, he only liked girls with yellow hair.
The hits continued throughout my life. A former talent agent once called me bug-eyed, a former co-worker wouldn’t let me be in a corporate video because of my “creative look” and said I was “not diverse enough” and don’t even get me started about some of the things people have said to me online...
Self Care Isn’t Selfish Quote
My confidence in my job skills took a tremendous hit after I experienced a particular situation where a career superior got very angry with me. It occurred after I asked some thoughtful questions about a project I was asked to work on. Instead of answering my questions, my boss got visibly upset with me, said some very harsh words about my abilities, and stormed off, leaving the situation unresolved.
Spotted Deer In the Woods
My co-worker overheard the event and came to me when he saw how hurt I appeared. In trying to make me laugh, my friend blurted out “Well, at least he can’t eat you.” I laughed when he said it and my mind instantly pictured a lion eating a helpless deer. When I thought of that, I realized it was true. My superior could not, in fact, eat me.
What my ears heard did not harm me physically and I am thankful I am able to choose whether or not I want the words to hurt me. One thing I now tell myself after someone says something critical to me is this: They are just words.
Sad Business Executive
I always try to remember the old saying about sticks and stones and also know that God made me the way I am for a reason. While one person may have a negative thing to say about you and the way you look or your abilities, God (or whatever spiritual being you believe in) always knows you are beautiful and talented because God made you.
Anytime I’m struggling with my confidence, here are some things I do to help stop the struggle:
1- Pray Or Meditate
Man Praying in Blue Shirt
When my boss lashed out at me, I was really caught off guard because I thought we had a great working relationship. To deal with it, I first talked with my husband and friends, and then I talked with God. I spent lots of time writing my prayers in my journal, asking God daily to give me the strength to find the answers about what I should do. Because my boss’ harsh behavior continued, I was guided by God to seek professional business related counseling and eventually exit the job, which I did.
Woman Meditating In Yellow Dress
I also learned to meditate. I found guided meditations on YouTube and started doing short ones every day. I still continue the practice of meditation to this day.
2- Spruce Myself Up
Woman in White Eyeliner and Gold Earrings
When my confidence is low, I like put on a little makeup and dress up. Even if I am just staying at home, it still helps me to feel better. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid and it has proven to be very effective for me.
3- Do Something Silly
Little Girl With Curly Hair Dancing
Watching a funny moving, doing a silly dance, making silly videos for social media or just being around funny or loving people can be a great way to deal with low self confidence. I once spent time around some incredibly funny family members during a family reunion in another city. I never met them before the reunion, but we had a blast getting to know each other. I just remember laughing non-stop during our time together.
Between the silliness, they somehow raised my self-confidence when I didn’t even know it was low. When I returned home, I remember having a feeling like I could accomplish anything. It was refreshing and awesome.
4- Create
Smiling Woman In Sewing Room
Being a creative person, I always turn to creating something when I feel a dip in my self confidence. Whether it be chalk-painting something, renovating a room, or creating a cool headband, it makes me feel better.
Try our easy no sew headband tutorial to make a new and wearable creation. Get the tutorial below or via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
Greenhouse Full of Cacti
If you don’t think of yourself as being a creative person, I know you have some creativity inside your soul somewhere. Try gardening, cooking, putting together a model, or anything where you know you can be a success. You might even want to take some classes on how to sew, or try knitting for the first time. It’s really up to you. One tiny success can lead to bigger successes which raise confidence levels like never before!
When I do one or more of these things for several days in a row, I always feel better. My confidence soars and I have a good day. I allow myself to feel what I need to feel, then I move on.
I encourage you to do the same.
Pray. Do What You Love. Move on.
And for every “mean” thing someone says to you, say something nice to someone else.
Smiling Woman In Glasses
Sending Love and Light to all who need it!
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C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.