Life is beautiful, yes, but there are times when it gets us down and even kicks us while we’re down. We’ve all been there – whether it’s trouble at work, a breakup or a traumatic experience you’re going (or have gone through), all of these things are like bullets to our self-confidence. When something kicks you down, you start questioning your worth. When self-doubt creeps in, your first instinct is to just give in to it, and this is a voice you need to stop listening to. What you really need is to listen to that voice that tells you to stop hiding under the covers, get up and reclaim your confidence. You are beautiful, kind, smart, witty, capable, but you need to remind yourself of that and get your mojo back. Take baby steps, seven of them, and once you’re done, what you’ll discover is what was there all along – a wonderful person, a force to be reckoned with, so let’s start today.
Shake it off
If Taylor Swift could survive this year and come back stronger than ever, so can you. Jokes aside and truth time – everyone, even supermodels have insecurities about their appearance, and sometimes these insecurities bubble up when you’re, let’s say, going through a breakup. The first thing that pops into your mind is that you’re not attractive enough. It happens to all of us. The first thing you need to do is look in the mirror and list all the things you love about yourself. The second is to hit the gym. Exercising isn’t only a great way to get in shape, but also serves a wonderful stress relief and confidence booster. Even if there is absolutely nothing wrong with your figure, exercising is great for regaining emotional and mental balance and get rid of negative energy.
The effective cliché
Clichés exist for a reason – more often than not they’re true. Coco Chanel once said: “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life”, and that quote now even has research that backs it up. As Elite Daily says: “Hair represents the intimacy of the last relationship, and keeping it in the same post-breakup not only keeps her mentally stagnant in the relationship but far more vulnerable to a relationship relapse.” So, make an appointment and make a change. It doesn’t even have to be a drastic cut, and it can also be a change of color. Shed your old self and welcome the change, plus, every time a woman leaves a hair salon, she feels like the street is her runway and all eyes are on her; it’s almost intoxicatingly empowering.
Don’t buy into the myth
When in self-doubt, people tend to compare themselves to others more than ever. This type of behavior is highly counterproductive, not to mention that other people’s lives aren’t as great as they seem on the outside. Sure, they may post a perfect Instagram photo of their wonderful vacation or an amazing selfie, but from the perfect angle, everything looks better than it is. Take a detox from social media and stop comparing your life to the staged Insta-lives of others. That life is as much a myth as the one about Bigfoot.
Accept it and believe it
When someone compliments you, don’t disagree. First of all, you come off as insecure, and second of all, the person wouldn’t pay you a compliment if they didn’t really mean it. Say a simple ‘thank you’ and then take into consideration what the person said and start believing it. You are amazing, and if everyone around you can see it, you should begin to see it too. Never belittle yourself or say negative things about yourself in front of others or yourself. Words are powerful, and if you say it, you’ll believe it
Get a hobby
Idle hands are the devil’s playground, and if your days are empty you’re probably more inclined towards wallowing and self-pity. Well, it’s time to get busy and get a hobby. It doesn’t have to be anything major, just focus on something you like and you thing you would be good at. It will get the creative juices flowing, you’ll feel like your day is fuller and your life richer.
Step up your wardrobe game
Yes, it’s time for the most fun part of all – shopping. Get some new stylish clothes and you’ll feel like a brand new person. Make an effort to dress nice, take your time planning your outfits and then step out of your house with your best look forward and your head held high. It may seem superficial, but stepping into new clothes truly has a ‘shedding your old skin’ effect, and it has the power of making you feel brand new.
Random acts of kindness
There is something incredibly uplifting in performing random acts of kindness. They don’t even have to be big to be effective. Smile at a stranger, let someone cut in front of you at the grocery store, help an elderly person cross the street. You will feel and be a much better person, and if karma is real, and it is, it will come back and reward you in the same way.