The world is flooded with fake and filtered images of celebrities and supermodels, in addition to magazine covers and an occasional lingerie commercial, all packed with confidence. Imposing an impossible standard of beauty and attractiveness, it is no wonder that so many ladies and gents alike suffer from a lack of self-esteem and are in need of a morale boost in this overly-photoshopped century.
Whether you’re constantly looking for ways to hide in the back rows of every event ever, or you find yourself feeling too self-conscious every now and then, there are numerous ways that can help you gain more confidence in the way you look and feel – it just takes time and dedication to let them do their magic.
Mind your language
Chances are that you’re spending most of your time talking down to yourself, whether in the form of potentially constructive criticism, or blatant insults that you use to express dissatisfaction. While you may feel that these have no effect on your self-image, your words have a profound influence on how you feel in your own skin.
Start by changing your own mind through your choice of words. Focus on the positives and express them as often as possible. And don’t worry, there are zero chances you’ll turn into a narcissist, so just enjoy your qualities, of which we’re certain there are many.
Find your fitness self
The gym is not for everyone, much like dancing or running, so in case you’re not enjoying your current physical activity, by all means, find a replacement that will be more suited to your character. Your exercise regime should be both healthy and empowering, a way to feel good about yourself as you invest time and effort to become better and overcome your limitations.
Care for your skin
You have probably noticed a pattern here: it’s all about self-care. You cannot expect your confidence to bloom unless you treat yourself with the care and respect you deserve, and a part of that attention should be devoted to your skin. Don’t deprive your complexion of basic nourishment and choose moisturising skincare with products that will cherish your pores every day. Always use sunscreen to prevent premature ageing, and of course, your diet will also deeply affect the health of your skin.
Step out of your makeup comfort zone
Instead of focusing on hiding the “flaws” such as your prominent nose or the dark circles under your eyes, why not use makeup to accentuate your most attractive features and celebrate your natural beauty? Try a new shade of lipstick, bring out your lashes with a high-quality mascara, or give the glitter trend a go to introduce some excitement into your routine!
But focus on clothing comfort
In case you’ve been sleeping for the past few months (even years), fashion has undergone a major shift in perspective. Of course, there will always be room for the extravagant and creations that verge on pointlessly unwearable, but the spotlight is now on trends that make you feel comfortable and let you express your true self through your authentic clothing choices. From athleisure divas such as Beyoncé and Rihanna, all the way to man-inspired collections that boast those lumberjack shirts and massive sweaters, you should wear whatever the hell you please.
If you feel comfy in your old hoodie, you’ll join the ranks of the Hadid sisters and many other celebs boasting this sporty look. If you’d prefer a pantsuit, also welcome into the movie star universe, where the likes of Celine Dion and once again, Rihanna, reign supreme.
Be playful with your hair
No matter if you flaunt lengthy locks or if you rock a shortcut, your wonderful mane can do wonders for your confidence in a matter of moments. You can either take the leap of faith and make a major change such as switching to a new hair color, or you can stick to simple hairdo tricks that will have a momentary effect.
Either way, make it an ongoing practice that lets you enjoy your looks and master some new hairstyles to elevate your appearance. You’d be surprised how much a single fishtail braid can make you feel better about seeing your reflection in the mirror!
Ace the learning curve
They say that there’s nothing quite so attractive as intelligence – so use it! One frequently overlooked way you can not only make yourself feel good, but also truly change your self-perception is by constantly striving to learn more. If you’re not the type of just walk into a studio and sign up for dance lessons, start with those handy DIY videos that are all over the Internet. There are literally hundreds of things you can learn to do in the comfort of your home.
Think: origami, trying out new recipes, taking an online course in design, joining a discussion group, or watching educational videos on space travel and physics. Take your pick and tackle the challenges ahead – they will build up your character and give you more reason to appreciate yourself every day!
