Have you ever felt uncomfortable or unsure about yourself? You probably have, at some point. It's easy to think that our confidence and self-esteem are inextricably linked, but they aren't.
We all feel insecure from time to time, and it can become frustrating when we don't know how to deal with it. Fortunately, building self-confidence doesn't have to be difficult. There are many different ways to overcome insecurity, and I've gathered ten of them below.
STEP 1: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
If you spend too much time around people who give off a negative vibe, you're likely to feel insecure yourself. Insecurity is contagious, and it's important to avoid being around people who put you down.
If you want to feel more confident, it helps to get away from these people and try interacting with people who make you feel good. Meet new people, attend events, read books.
STEP 2: Accept Your Values and Feel Good About Them
Most people go through life without consciously defining their values. They simply do what feels right at the moment. Unfortunately, this often leads to them drifting from their true selves and losing sight of their values along the way.
When you decide to define your values, you'll automatically be building your self-confidence. When you're feeling insecure, you're probably questioning your morals and values. This can be quite upsetting.
STEP 3: Practice Appreciation
One of the most common reasons for insecurity is feeling unappreciated. When you feel disrespected, you can become easily discouraged and lose confidence in yourself.
Appreciation is about making others feel special, even if it's just by saying hi to someone in the hallway or sending a brief text message to a friend.
STEP 4: Give Back
Giving back can have a huge impact on your self-confidence, and it's the kind of thing you can actually implement immediately. You can volunteer for your local library, help a homeless person, make sure your neighbor has access to groceries, or organize a donation drive for your local food bank.
STEP 5: Keep Practicing
As you gain confidence and start making a difference in people's lives, you'll naturally begin to build self-esteem. But there's always room for improvement.
It's important to practice regularly and to keep trying new things. As you gain experience, you'll naturally start to gain more self-confidence.
STEP 6: Surround Yourself With Friends
Having supportive friends can make all the difference in the world. Having friends who are positive influences can make you feel secure and supported.
So make sure you surround yourself with people who inspire you and uplift you. You might need to change your circle of friends, but if you want to feel comfortable and safe, having the right people in your life is a priority.
STEP 7: Start Listening
Listening is an extremely underrated skill. It's one of the easiest ways to build confidence.
Practice makes perfect