Whether you don’t think you have any confidence or if you just need a little boost, I gotchu, girl. Here are five quick little tips to help you feel more confident and ready to take on the world.
— Listen to your favorite songs. I don’t know about you, but if I’m in a bad mood or just feeling down, music always helps me feel better. When I’m in a happy mood, I smile and laugh more, which in turn makes me feel more confident. Confidence is really just putting your happiness out into the world (whether it’s sincere at the time or not). Channel your inner Rihanna, Beyonce, Spice Girls, whoever, and go run the world. I’d recommend making a playlist on Spotify with your favorite songs, and rocking out as much as possible.
— Wear an outfit you love. Most of the time in the mornings, I just grab the first shirt and pair of jeans I find in a basket in my closet. But if I ever wake up early (or, when my alarms first start going off in the morning), I love planning out my outfit and picking out a necklace or earrings to match. When I’m lookin’ snazzy, I feel like I have some extra pep in my step. I know it’s not always possible to wear your favorite things, depending on your job and schedule. But try to do this whenever you can, and you’ll notice your confidence increase a bit each time.
— Smile. Sometimes you just have to fake it til you make it! I’m not saying to smile all the time, though, especially during a sad situation. But if I’m ever feeling just blah, it helps when I smile or laugh because it tricks my brain and eventually I do feel happier (and, in turn, more confident).
— Look up and walk tall. Practice walking with your shoulders back and your head up. Again, fake it til you make it! Walking confidently has a way of tricking you (and others!) into thinking you’re confident. And the more you do it, the more it becomes a natural habit. It seems like silly, but I swear it works. I first heard about this tip in Oprah or some other women’s magazine back in high school, and I laughed when I read it. Who knows, you may discover some untapped swagger that you’ve had all along.
— Don’t judge others. This may seem random on this list compared to the other items, but I feel it’s the most important. I notice when I’m feeling confident, I look at others and immediately think of compliments about their appearance. When I’m feeling down on myself, I find myself picking apart other people. When I do that, I notice I also start to pick myself apart, and it’s an endless cycle. Project happiness and understanding out into the world, and you’ll get the same in return.