Confidence can be a struggle no matter who you are, what you look like, or what you do for a living. And women especially can find it challenging to love and accept themselves as they are, rather than comparing themselves to others and finding themselves lacking. It’s an issue that’s only gotten worse in an era when we’re all constantly exposed to an unreal level of perfection via Instagram, printed media and other channels.
Yet, the truth is that each of us is unique and beautiful, a true miracle in our own right.
So if you’re craving a confidence boost to help you love yourself and embrace your natural beauty, flaws and all, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top five tips that can help you build your self-esteem and let your beauty shine, inside and out.
#1 – Laugh
It may sound far too simple to work or a bit odd, but laughter, whether real or the fake it ‘til you make it kind, can not only lift your mood and help you feel good about yourself, it can also brighten the day for those around you.
That’s because science says that your body and brain can’t tell the difference between real and fake laughter, which means either will work to transform your mood and help raise your self-esteem. So laugh, especially when you don’t feel like it, and soon you’ll feel like smiling for real.
#2 - Do more of what you’re good at
With all of the stress you’re under on a daily basis, at home, at the office, and even while running errands, it’s easy to feel like you’re just never enough.
The good news is that you can combat that feeling by taking more time for yourself and doing something you truly excel at. And it doesn’t matter what that is…
Maybe you’re an amazing painter, or you grow the most beautiful garden of flowers, or you might even be a great runner, who’s always wanted to participate in a marathon. Whatever brings you joy and helps you feel good about yourself is something you should be doing more of in your everyday life.
#3 – Keep track of your successes
Small or large, recognizing your wins can help you enhance your self-esteem and see yourself for the incredible woman you truly are.
Try keeping a success journal and keep a list of your accomplishments on a daily basis.
This mindfulness of even your little wins will help you overcome the self-doubt that holds you back and remind you to be kind to yourself during difficult times.
#4 – Share your accomplishments
It’s also important to remember not to keep your accomplishments to yourself, but instead to share them with your friends and loved ones.
Remember, celebrating your successes with the people closest to you and giving them the chance to do the same isn’t bragging. It’s a chance to support each other, so that you each can provide affirmation and get the self-esteem boost you need to live with confidence.
#5 – Give yourself a break
Finally, when you find yourself feeling down about yourself, take a step back and try to look at yourself the way others do. After all, rather than seeing all of the flaws when we look outward at the people around us, we tend to see the good things.
So, instead of judging yourself harshly, try to cut yourself the same slack you would others and treat yourself with kindness.
Healthy self-esteem for a beautiful you
While it can be challenging to keep your confidence high, especially when times are difficult, with these simple tips to boost your self-esteem, you can look at yourself in the mirror each day and say, “I am beautiful and completely miraculous in my uniqueness.”
And when your confidence shines through for the whole world to see, so will your beauty.