I've struggled with self-confidence most of my life, let's just say 5-30 years old. But I made it a mission as I grew in my faith to really see myself as God sees me. The journey has been a tough one and I still struggle from time to time, especially when I started to get stress acne. When I tell you that was painful inside and out! But never the less I always come back to these 8 Tips to boost and lay the foundation of my self confidence.
“It was when I realized I needed to stop trying to be somebody else and be myself, I actually started to own, accept and love what I had.” – Tracee Ellis Ross
Here are 4 Ways to Boost Your Confidence:
Make Your Favorite Picture of Yourself your Lock Screen
This is a constant reminder of just how beautiful you are. If you're like me you look at your phone a million times a day so you get to be reminded of you beautiful you are that many times! This visual on repeat helps us to see what others see because we all know the mirror can be a hater sometimes lol.
Take Time for Self-Care
Self care is care provided “for you, by you.” It’s about identifying your own needs and taking steps to meet them. It is taking the time to do some of the activities that nurture you. Self care is about taking proper care of yourself and treating yourself as kindly as you treat others. So take that time for yourself so that you can go into the world rejuvenated.
Turn on Your Anthem
When I'm feeling downa nd need a pick me up I turn on one of anthems or a couple depending on how much of a boost I need! My spiritual anthem is Lauren Diagle - Everything. My worldly anthems are both from Lizzo - "Juice" and "Good as Hell" they remind me "I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100% that B."
When I turn on my anthem I have a little more pep in my step, sway in my hips and even more roll in my neck! I created an Anthem Playlist to help you too!
Anthem Playlists
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LTmGQN
Apple: https://apple.co/3bVlnvh
Shift Your Body Language
Posture and eye contact are such a huge part of confidence. When you are hunched over and not making eye contact you close yourself off to the world around you. But when you roll shoulders back, sit up straight and make eye contact you are more open and seem more confident, even if you are faking it til you make it!
4 Ways to Lay the Foundation of Your Self Confidence:
Go to the Bible and See What God Says About You
This is the first part of the foundation. Find several go-to scriptures on what God says about you. Bookmark them, write them down, post them where you can see them often. This will be a reminder of how precious, lovely and beautiful you are in God's eyes. And above all else that you are chosen and loved by Him!
A few of my go tos are:
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalms 46:5 NIV
“For he chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and unblemished in his sight. In love” Ephesians 1:4
“She wraps herself in strength, might, and power in all her works.” Proverbs 31:17 TPT
These scriptures remind me that God is with me, He has chosen me and I am powerfulful!
Change Your Mindset and Speak Up Against Negative Thoughts
We all have negative thoughts that creep in and they usually lead to another and another and another. Stop those thoughts dead in their tracks! Our minds always look for the things we think or say so if we dwell on the negative that's what our mind will point out. You may have to speak these out loud or you may be able to just think them. But remember the power of life and death lies in the tongue.
Thought: I'm Not Good Enough
You: I Am Good Enough
Thought: You can't do that
You: I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me!
Get to the Root of the Insecurity
All of our insecurities start from somewhere so we must address the root and kill it at the source. Most times we put a band-aid on a wound that need stitches and wonder why it keeps bleeding. Once you know the root you can start to heal the wound it's caused. This will take work, time, patience and perseverance but it's worth it in the end.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Everyone compares their right now to someone else's. When in reality your right now may be their day 1 instead of 100. The best advice I got when I first started blogging was to take the bloggers I admired and find their first post, that's where you "compare." It's not a level playing field otherwise. Once I saw their first posts I realized we were about at the same place. But even though we started about the same I had to remind myself we don't have the same journey. Your journey is unique to you and you won't be able to live it fully or enjoy it if you're trying to be on someone else's.
I pray that these tips were helpful for you and that they start to boost your confidence today. May this be the start of a healthier relationship with yourself and in turn with others.