“Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered, just like any other skill.” This quote from lifestyle guru Barrie Davenport is the secret to improving your self-esteem. Discovering how to regain self-confidence can be challenging, but you can do it once you learn how.
How to Regain Self-Confidence
Sometimes self-confidence can be hard to come by. After all, who hasn’t been knocked down a peg or two by life every now and then? The end of a romantic relationship, unexpectedly losing a job, or even just failing to meet your daily goals can all have an effect on your confidence in yourself.
If you’re feeling down on yourself, you might be happy to know that you aren’t alone. It is estimated that a staggering 85 percent of Americans struggle with low self-confidence, and many of them are seniors. Those entering their golden years can find themselves grappling with this issue as they come to terms with the shifts in identity caused by the aging process.
This may sound dire, but don’t worry. The good news about self-confidence is that you can always build yourself back up again. Like Barrie Davenport notes above, self-confidence is not an innate quality, but a skill that people have to use and develop. If you haven’t had to do it in a while, you might need a little more practice. Make a plan for how to regain self-confidence with these tips from the experts.
Reject Ageism
As you may have already guessed, ageism can be a significant source of low self-esteem for seniors. The societal idea that seniors can’t accomplish things because of their age is unfortunately pervasive, and it’s an easy message to internalize if you aren’t careful. Make a conscious effort to reject ageism in everyday conversations and interactions. Seek out stories about seniors achieving great things, and positive depictions of seniors in movies and TV shows. The more time you spend focused on positivity around aging, the easier it will be to deflect ageist comments and ideas.
Put Effort into Your Appearance
Maintaining your appearance is a great way to build up your self-confidence. When you look in the mirror and like what you see, your self-esteem gets a boost as a result. Putting time and care into your appearance is good for your health, and it’s also a good way to remind yourself that you’re worth the time and effort it takes to show your best face to the world. Get dressed like you’re going to work every day, and take selfies to share with friends and family. Get in the habit of looking in the mirror and finding at least one thing to love about your appearance every day.
Challenge Yourself
One of the best ways to improve your self-confidence is to achieve something. Mastering a new skill, conquering a physical challenge, or even just developing a new healthy habit can help you remember that you’re capable of accomplishing great things. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at your bucket list. Is there a language you’ve always wanted to learn? Have you always wanted to write a novel or paint a portrait? Let your interests lead you to your next achievement, and embrace being a beginner. Make mistakes, have fun, and see how your self-esteem grows as a result.
Stay Connected
When you’re trying to improve your self-confidence, you’ll have the most success if you have the right cheerleaders in your corner. Personal connections help lower your risks of depression and anxiety and can help reinforce your growing self-confidence. If you aren’t sure how to get started in connecting to others, consider volunteering or joining a class that will provide some structure and assistance. If you already have some good friends, be sure to reach out to them regularly. The more time you spend with people who see the value in you, the more you’ll be able to see it in yourself.
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Learning how to regain self-confidence can feel like an impossible task, but you can do it. Think about the suggestions above, and consider how you can make them work for you. What can you do today to improve your self-confidence tomorrow?
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