Improve confidence

We all doubt ourselves from time to time. We want to be loved, we want to fit in. We are all different and that is amazing. You are amazing with all that you are. Dare to stick out, dare to shine!

I want to write down a few things that have helped me to feel a bit better about myself. Like I said though everyone doubt themselves from time to time, after all thats a way to learn and improve who you are. If you always walk around thinking you are perfect in every way you will not get that far in life.

• Don't be too hard on yourself!

Stop beating yourself up. A lot of people judge themselves so much more than they would their best friend. Think about yourself as your best friend. What would he/ she say about the situation? Surely your best friend wouldn't tell you over and over how stupid or hopeless you are? Or that you don't look good enough or that you don't deserve the things you want in life. (If that's the case you should probably find a better friend).

What would you tell your best friend if he/she was in your shoes? Be kind, even to yourself, you deserve it! Learn from your mistakes and move on. Don't put them in a big pile and let them define who you are cuz you are not your mistakes.

• Body language

You're body language tells a lot about you. When you feel insecure think about your posture. Stand up tall and hold your head up high. Take a deep breath and think "confidence" it can actually make you feel better about yourself in a blink of an eye. Of course though like with everything in life, practice makes perfect.

• Be thankful

Don't let negativity be your joy killer. The grass is not always greener on the other side. We all have problems to deal with in our lives. If you always focus on the bad things in your life, how will you be able to see the good when it's coming your way? I have often been writing lists about the things in my life that I'm thankful for. Big or small it doesn't matter. Thank you sunshine for shining on me today (even if it was only for 10 minutes). Thank you stranger for the smile you gave me while I was walking down the street. Thank you for taking your time to ask me how I'm feeling today.

I think you get the idea. If you're not into writing lists say it out loud to yourself before going to bed every evening or just think it quietly in your head.

• Remind yourself

Write a little note with a short message to yourself and put it on your mirror in the bathroom so that you can see it everyday, something positive to yourself like:

"I love and respect myself"

"This day will be great I won't let anyone ruin it"

"I am confident and I'm loved"

Then read it everyday in the morning as a reminder. Maybe you don't believe the words you have written down from the start but when you repeat it over and over it will slowly sink in.

Love comes from within. Start loving yourself!

• Dress for success

I'm the kind of person who doesn't really care much about what I'm wearing or what the people around me think about it (it's not their business anyway). I love my wayyy too big sweatpants to go along with a top or a big t-shirt a messy ponytail and no makeup or even yesterday's makeup.

 I'm not saying throw your comfy, worn out, ugly clothes away (I'm gonna keep loving mines, and of course wear them when I feel like it).

Altough when I do get myself ready (especially in the morning when I have the whole day in front of me). I put some nice clothes on, I do my makeup and a nice hairdo. I feel like i get more done in my day and it makes me feel a lot better about myself. By doing that I don't have an excuse for being lazy, I'm already up and ready to deal with what life throws at me!

• Speak up

It's okay to say no, it's okay to take time for yourself and be a bit selfish sometimes. It's only you that's writing the story of your life and you are the main person in your own story! Follow your dreams and listen to yourself and what you want.

• You can't always be on top

Thats totally fine! No one is on top always, we all have good and bad days. That's okay we don't always have to act like super heroes. Be honest about it, let's say you are having a really bad day and a coworker ask you how you are. You don't have to put up a fake smile and be like I'm great thanks. Tell them "thanks for asking I'm not doing great today I'm sorry if I seem a bit off. You don't have to give them a reason why if you don't feel like it. Thats up to you, if you want to talk about it they might be kind and lend an ear.

I normally tell my coworkers without them asking how I feel if I'm having a bad day

"I'm sorry if I'm a bit off today, I'm just having a bad day it's nothing personal just so you guys know".

 Then they know already and they don't have to wonder why I'm being more quiet than normal or if I forget something or whatever it may be. It's okay to feel not okay at times. If it keeps happening often you might want to go talk to someone about it though.