Everyone has those moments where they just do not feel good about themselves — whether you didn’t get the job you wanted or you recently moved to a new place and don't know anyone. A lot has changed in my life over the past few months. Some has been out of my control and some has been by choice. It’s easy to be pulled into the craziness of finals or the holiday season. Maybe you're going through something or you’ve just never felt super confident in your life. Everyone can benefit from taking some me time or practicing self love. With that being said, here are 10 ways to feel more confident on a daily basis:
1. Have a mini fashion show in your room
Strut your stuff in your favorite outfit! The other night my future roommate/new college BFF scared the crap out of me while I was marching around my dorm room in my favorite wedges and new matching crop top and pants set.
2. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good
Give the people in your life who make you feel bad about yourself the boot and start hanging out more with the people who build you up. College is a weird place and everyone's trying to find themselves, but in the process, people can put others down because of their own insecurities. Let those people and their negativity go and make plans with your homies who help focus on your strengths. The best types of people are the ones who come into your life and make you see everything that's so great about yourself that went unnoticed because you were so busy focusing on your weaknesses.
3. Find your niche in your town or on campus
This goes along with finding your people! If you're passionate about something, you're going to feel happier surrounded by people who are passionate about the same things.
4. Take time for yourself
Take yourself on a date. Treat yourself to your favorite coffee shop or buy yourself a cute new outfit. You deserve it.
5. Meditate
Practicing mindfulness can really help clear away negative energy or stress that clogs up your life and makes you not like or appreciate yourself.
6. Instead of saying "I'm sorry" say "thank you"
Many times, I have found myself apologizing for complaining or ranting to my friends. By simply saying “thank you for listening” instead of “I'm sorry for complaining so much” can make your feelings seem more valid. And, if someone's really a quality friend they're not going to mind listening to you rant every now and then.
7. Stop comparing yourself to others
Easily said and hard to actually practice and apply to your own life!! But really, everyone's on their own journey in life. That said, just because one person's life seems to be going exactly as planned and you feel like everything is constantly going wrong for you doesn't mean it's always going to feel that way. I mean, if there weren't bad days you would never appreciate the good ones. I find myself scrolling through Instagram thinking “man I wish I looked like that” or “wow, I want to be able to do my makeup like this” or “if only I had that outfit, I would love myself.” Then I think, “Girl, you're beautiful, you're smart...you have so much going for you!” Stop that! Right now! Stop!
8. Remember that everyone is so very flawed
“We are flawed creatures, all of us. Some of us think that means we should fix our flaws. But get rid of my flaws and there would be no one left." -Sarah Vowell, Take the Cannoli
9. Have a solo dance party
Self-explanatory because who the heck doesn't love dancing like an idiot to their favorite tunes? I'm happiest with myself when I don't take everything so seriously.
10. Remember that today is a new day and the mistakes of yesterday are in the past
Today is a good day, and even on the good days, you can feel sad or not like yourself. I'll be the first to admit if I have one bad day I let it stick around and bother me, but mistakes are in the past and you can make it through. Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
