A lot of people assume that, just because I'm a fashion blogger and I post pictures of myself on the daily, I'm this super confident person. Confidence is something that I feel every person struggles with, but I can honestly say that now I'm in my 30's I feel more confident than ever. However, it didn't just happen overnight. It's something I have to work on all the time. I think there are a lot of things that we can do for ourselves daily that can help boost our confidence. It's not about looking towards others for compliments, it's about loving yourself and all of yourself (even your flaws). It's also about treating yourself right and doing things to make yourself happy. Read on after the jump for ways to help you feel more confident in your own skin.
1.) Love your body. Loving your body doesn't just mean embracing your flaws, it's about taking care of your body - inside and out. It's up to us to care for our bodies so that we can perform our best. That means feeding it, exercising it and caring for it. Once you make your needs a priority (which can be especially hard to do when you're a parent because you're always thinking about your kids before yourself) you will feel healthier, happier and more grounded. Remember, the most beautiful and confident women are those that embrace what makes them unique. So put on that outfit that makes you feel your very best in and strut yourself, girl!
2.) Find a passion/hobby/career that you LOVE. Let's face it, if you're completely unhappy with your job and you dread going to it everyday, then why continue it? We only live once and Life is WAY TOO SHORT to not go after the things that you want. Always strive for happiness in whatever you do. If you find yourself in a rut or you need something to call your own, then start a hobby. That's exactly what I did 6 years ago when I started this blog. I had a full time job that I really loved, but it was far from the fashion world and fashion was always a huge passion of mine. Starting the blog helped get my creative juices flowing and I was able to share my passion with others.
3.) Find what you makes you authentic and real and embrace it. Everyone has qualities that make them unique. Instead of counting all of your flaws, make a list of what makes you beautiful to YOU and what your strengths are -- and not just physical. Whatever it is, be true to yourself and you will automatically feel more attractive and confident.
4.) Rid yourself of negative people in your life. It's taken me awhile to do this, but it's so important to surround yourself with people who not only respect you (as you do them) but people who are positive lights in your life. Any negativity will only bring you down and ain't no body go time for that. ;)
5.) Celebrate each Birthday instead of cringing at another year passing. When I was a teenager I looked at age 25 and thought, "wow that's old" and when I was 25 I looked at turning 30 as "really getting old". I'm 31 now and realize that I still have so many years ahead of me and even though my mind and body have changed through the years, I feel like I'm a better version of myself and I continue to get better with each year passing -- kinda like a fine wine. ;) Just look back and remember how far you've come in life and what you've accomplished. Be proud of yourself and remember that you're so much wiser now than your old teen or 25 year-old self was.
6.) Don't try to impress others. This is something I wish my 31 year-old self could turn back time to tell my teenager self, but it's also something I still struggle with being a blogger. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I started my blog for ME, no one else, so I need to stop worrying about whether my readers will like one picture over the next or whatever -- if I like it, I need to do it. If you spend time worrying about what others think of you, and trying to be a certain way that just isn't your true self, then you're only exuding false confidence and you're going to miss out on what truly makes you happy. Appreciate yourself instead of looking for others to appreciate you.
7.) Don't speak ill of yourself to others and stop being your own worst critic. If you're trying to gain or exude more confidence the last thing you need to be doing it talking negatively about yourself or pointing out your flaws to others. No one wants to talk to a Debbie Downer. And when it comes to being your own worst critic -- Let's face it, we're all guilty of this. I especially find myself putting a large amount of pressure to be great at everything. There's nothing wrong with wanting to strive to be the best version of yourself, but to strive for perfection is just not realistic and quite frankly, it's unhealthy. Remember, no one is perfect.
8.) Reward yourself. You have to give yourself credit for accomplishments -- big or small. If you finished a class at the gym that you were dreading, or you were recognized at your job or in school for a special achievement -- whatever it is, it's important to pat yourself on the back and treat yourself to the things that are "treats" to you in life. Whether you're treating yourself with a tall glass of wine at the end of a busy day, indulging on some unhealthy, but so delicious take-out, or relaxing in a nice bubble bath. Everyone needs to give themselves some "Me" time and enjoy the things that make you feel good. One of my fave ways to treat myself is to take a long, hot bubble bath (wine included). I love to break out all the beauty products too, so I really feel like I'm at the spa at home. That means bath salts or bath bombs, lighting candles and/or incense, and a sheet mask. Lately I've incorporated a new "bath-time fave" into the mix and you might recognize it from this post HERE -- it's the JERGENS® Wet Skin™ Moisturizer. It's great because you can apply it to wet skin (when your skin soaks up moisture the most) and you don't have to wash or dry it off. Your skin just soaks up the moisturizer and what's left is smooth and soft skin -- no oily residue! Plus, let's face it, y'all -- dry, scaly skin is not cute and when you want to look and feel your best (which is necessary for boosting confidence) having nice-looking skin is just as important as that sexy lil dress or those fun heels. This wet moisturizer absorbs into the skin 2x faster than regular lotion and leaves you with 24 hour soft skin. Since it works better than my regular lotion and since I can do it in the shower or right before I get out of the bath, it cuts my routine down so that means I can spend more time enjoying my hot bath or shower.
Check out the JERGENS® website to see the rest of the JERGENS® Wet Skin™ Moisturizers varieties!
What are things that you do to help boost your confidence? Also, have you tried the Jergens Wet Moisturizer yet? If so, what did you think? Leave me a comment below! I always love hearing from y'all!!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by JERGENS®, but all opinions are my own.
Beautiful outfit, so vibrant, glamorous and so you! :) I'm totally loving the print of that dress!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips on feeling more confident, you wrote it all beautifully and so true! I'd say that 1,4,6 and 7 are the most important ones.
http://lartoffashion.com
Loved reading this post. Great advise! & You look stunning in this dress!
ReplyDeletexO - Steph
www.urbanblonde.com
this was such a great post and I absolutely love the look!
ReplyDeletewww.stylenpoise.com
Excellent post. I love the dress. I truly enjoy Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer; it totally surprised me how well it works.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the advice about not speaking ill of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get a sample of Jergins wet skin moisturizer
ReplyDelete