Banish Self-Doubt and Re-Enter the World With Confidence
Banish Self-Doubt and Re-Enter the World With Confidence
As the world begins to open up, tentatively, people are facing the prospect of reentry with an array of emotions, from excitement to dread. Even those who are looking forward to reclaiming a little normalcy may also be experiencing a lack of confidence, lingering anxiety, or discontentment with their lives. Some of this might be due to the trauma of lockdown and fear. But it could be that, spending so much time on their own, some people have taken stock of their lives and found themselves wanting to change things. For everyone out there who’s wishing they could turn over a new leaf in life, here are some little things you can do that may make a big difference.
Start by learning mindfulness.
Mindfulness must come with a caveat: it doesn’t work for everyone. Occasionally it can make people more rather than less anxious. But for many, practicing mindfulness is like a reset button. When you practice mindfulness, you stop looking forward to the future or back and the past and instead remain present, calm, and in the moment, aware of your body, your actions, your immediate surroundings. Mindfulness can help you stay focused and peaceful with the task at hand instead of freaking out about what comes next.
Set small goals.
When everything that’s going on seems overwhelming and big changes feel impossible, or far away, you can reclaim ownership of your life by focusing on small goals you want to achieve. It feels good to be able to say that you set a goal and met it. It gives you motivation and confidence to do more. Plus, with each little goal you meet, you get closer to reaching a bigger goal. It might be going a day without smoking, on your path to quitting completely. Or it could be taking a five-minute run, as your first step to running a 5k. Whatever the case, achieving these little goals can be a huge confidence booster.
Find a new hobby.
Doing something different can feel like a needed jolt out of a tired routine. And learning something new is great for your brain. Maybe this is your chance to learn something new you’ve always wanted to try. It could be an art or craft, a new dance style, a type of martial arts, or something like bird-watching that puts you closer to nature. Learning a new hobby doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming, either. It can just be something fun you do as a treat to yourself.
Give yourself breaks for exercise.
When exercise feels like a chore, you are less likely to do it, especially if you are already tired, overwhelmed, or feeling uninspired. But if you think of exercise as taking a fun break to move your body, it can feel like something you want to do. And that means you’ll get the benefits of exercise, including increased mental clarity, more energy, and a healthy boost to your metabolism.
Resolve personality conflicts.
If difficulties in your relationships at home or at work are weighing you down and stressing you out, see if some of these conflicts or issues can be resolved. At work, practice techniques for de-escalating tense situations and resolving misunderstandings through such methods as cooperative communication. Working on difficult relationships at home may require a little extra support, however, including counseling or couples’ therapy. Zenbusiness has more tips here.
Treat yourself to little luxuries.
What makes a thing a treat can be highly subjective. It might be ordering from your favorite takeout. Or a shopping session at your favorite online store. You might want to splurge on a spa day, an overnight getaway, or perhaps on some luxury skincare and makeup products from Platinum Deluxe. Having vibrant, healthy skin can be a tremendous confidence booster when it’s time to socialize again.
Maybe you can’t make massive changes right now. Still, there are plenty of ways you can increase your confidence and gain a new sense of positivity about the world, as you prepare to get back into the swing of things.
