Rediscover Your Confidence
You’re not alone if your sizzle feels a little more like fizzle. Here’s how to give yourself a boost
Reconnect with Others
Confidence doesn’t grow in isolation. We need meaningful connection to feel grounded - yet it often takes confidence to reach out in the first place. It’s a bit of a loop. Research shows that connection plays a huge role in both mental health and confidence. Humans are wired to belong; we thrive on purpose, routine, and community.
If you’ve been keeping to yourself, start small. Organise a coffee or a walk with a friend once a week. Having something in the diary - and someone expecting you - helps you step out the door with intention. Avoid overcommitting; one good catch-up is better than a crowded calendar that drains you.
If you’re ready for a little more, consider joining a local group, sports club, or volunteering with an organisation that matters to you. These small acts of connection can reignite your sense of purpose and remind you that you’re part of something bigger - and that acknowledgment from others naturally strengthens your confidence.
Stand Like You Mean It
You’ve heard “fake it till you make it,” but this isn’t pretending - it’s posture psychology. Standing tall with shoulders back and chin lifted sends signals to your brain that you’re in control. Studies show these “power poses” lower stress hormones and lift self-assurance.
Why not try it? Before a social event or meeting, take two minutes: plant your feet firmly, open your chest, breathe deeply, and feel that shift. Confidence isn’t just what you think - it’s how you hold yourself.
Reflect and Rebuild
Confidence doesn’t grow from perfection; it grows from reflection. Take a moment to ask:
What did I learn?
What strengths have I gained?
What can I let go of?
This quiet check-in reminds you of how far you’ve come and what truly matters. When you set goals that align with your values, you naturally stand taller because you’re living life on your own terms.
Practice Self-Compassion
This one’s especially important when confidence wobbles around body image. Letting go of judgement and being kind to yourself is not weakness - it’s the strongest move you can make. Self-compassion helps untangle your self-worth from your appearance.
Try this: when that inner critic speaks up, ask, Would I say this to a loved one? If not, rephrase it the way you would for them. You deserve the same grace you give others.
Reframe the Voice in Your Head
That little gremlin whispering “you’re not enough” - give it a name. Something harmless, even a bit silly. (“Oh, that’s just Achlys again, trying to stir up fog.”) Then question it: Is this thought useful? What’s the evidence?
You can’t stop every negative thought, but you can choose which ones get airtime. Start your morning by listing one thing you’re grateful for — it’s a small act that sets the tone for the day.
References
Takayama, A., & Sekiya, H. (2023). Effects of various sitting and standing postures on arousal and valence. PLoS ONE, 18(6), e0286720. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286720
Stapleton, P. B., Crighton, G. J., Carter, B., & Pidgeon, A. M. (2017). Self-esteem and body image in females: The mediating role of self-compassion and appearance contingent self-worth. The Humanistic Psychologist, 45(3), 238-257. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000059
Raque, T. L., et al. (2023). Pathways by which self-compassion may improve women’s body image by increasing mindfulness and decreasing the negative ways of relating to one’s body. Behavioral Sciences, 13(11), 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110939
Time to reconnect with You
Confidence isn’t about bravado; it’s about alignment - body, mind, and purpose moving in the same direction. The more you stretch that fabric, the more freedom you’ll feel in it.
In my clinic, I see this shift happen often. When people nourish their bodies, balance their hormones, and tune in to what truly matters, that spark comes back - quietly at first, then all at once.
If you’re ready to rebuild your confidence from the inside out, I offer tailored naturopathic and nutrition consultations to help you find your balance again. Or, if you prefer learning alongside others, you can join one of my group sessions for practical tools and genuine connection.
However you begin, start today. Stretch that fabric. You might be surprised by just how much give it really has.