5 Genius Tips For Building Self-Confidence To Make You Feel Unstoppable
How to feel like you’re at the top of your game.
While most of us can use a little more self-confidence, it’s not the easiest to come by. After all, you can’t just decide to have more of it and suddenly walk with your head a little higher, feeling a little more comfortable in your skin. (Or maybe you can, in which case, please share your secrets.) For many, it instead tends to be more of a gradual process, with under-the-radar decisions and a shift in attitude that eventually leaves you feeling yourself. An extra bonus? That uptick in confidence can have a positive ripple effect through the rest of your life, whether for dating, your job, or your friends and fam.
But how do you actually boost your self-confidence, dialing up your 10 to a 20? Turns out, it’s all about prioritizing yourself, setting (and sticking with) boundaries, and going in with the right attitude. Here, we’re sharing the best tricks for going big when it comes to your self-esteem. The best part? It’s easier than you might think.
Reserve Time For Yourself
It helps to remember that the most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself — and we’re talking mind and body. That’s where setting aside time to care for yourself — think a regular wax reservation at European Wax Center, a meditation habit, or brow-grooming routine — can go a long way.
Even if you never feel fresher than when you get your monthly wax (EWC offers more than 25 different services!), you can keep that vibe (and the results) going with their large selection of face and body products. You can choose from their Ingrown Hair Serum, which nixes ingrown hairs and soothes irritation with a blend of glycolic acid and lavender and tea tree oils. Or, their Ingrown Hair Wipes, which gently exfoliates skin using salicylic and glycolic acids to keep things smooth and bump-free in a single swipe. We’re also partial to their Face & Body Detoxifying Mask and Face & Body Exfoliating Gel which also aid in smoother, brighter, and more refreshed-looking skin.
FYI: This can also mean TLC in your daily makeup routine, too. With the EWC GROOM line, you can make sure everything down to your arches is on point. (For instant polish, try their Define & Tame Brow Kit.) Taking care of yourself sends the message that you’re important — a key confidence booster.
Know When To Draw The Line
One helpful way to instill more trust in yourself? Know what’s not working for you — and how to say no to it. Whether it’s your best frenemy or a coworker who loves to borrow credit for your ideas, putting a little distance between things that don’t serve you will leave that much more space for the activities, people, and habits that do.
Look On The Bright Side
Positive thinking can sound a little woo-woo, and if that’s not your bag, good news: Science backs up its power, too. Research has found that taking a negative approach to solving problems can do a number on your self-compassion, extraversion, and responsibility — which, in turn, can lead to a lack of self-confidence. But going in with a positive approach, like being constructive and optimistic as you get started, can actually have the opposite effect. Next time you’re stressing before a public-speaking gig or job interview, be thorough with your prep and assume everything will go smoothly.
Log Out Of Social Media
Not-so-fun fact: It’s not social media that’s the problem, per se. Rather, it’s the built-in habit to compare what you’re doing with what everyone else is doing. Studies have found that social comparison — that is, comparing yourself to other people — can contribute to feelings of envy. And envy can mess with your self-esteem, ultimately bringing down your self-confidence. So, while social media may be great in moderation, don't forget to unplug — and remember that what you're seeing is a super-curated, highly edited version of real life.
Think Of The Good Things
Practicing gratitude is the real deal, with ample scientific evidence to back up its stress-reducing, confidence-boosting chops. And it makes sense: When you consider all the good things you appreciate in your life, be it your fam, your work wife, or your new dog, it can make you feel more confident in who you are as a person. And if that doesn’t put a pep in your step, we’re not sure what will.
