Don’t just go through the motions. Journaling is more effective if you make a strong decision to become happier and more grateful for your positive attributes. Go for quality over quantity. Journal in deep detail about a few things rather than making a superficial laundry list about many attributes. Make it as personal to you as possible. Consider specific situations and relationships that have been positively impacted by these qualities of yours to see how you benefit from these traits in your daily life. Reflect on how your life would be if you suddenly did not have your positive attributes. This makes gratitude come quite easily.
Make sure that you have a good support system of friends and loved ones. There’s nothing more effective than social support to make you feel strong, capable, and beautiful.
Flattering lighting, like white-coated incandescent bulbs, will set a mood of soft, elegant light that makes you and your surroundings look more appealing overall. Consider the placement of your light fixtures as well. Light that reaches your face from all directions makes it more difficult to see lines and shadows. So, for example, you’ll want to replace overhead fixtures in your bathroom with lighting on either side of your mirror. [4] X Research source
Also, try writing confidence-boosters on post-it notes, on fridge magnets, or even on the bathroom mirror with eyeliner. Putting small reminders in places where they’re bound to be seen frequently will keep you in-tune with the sort of thinking that fosters optimism.
Try also to keep your shoulders back and your chest ever so slightly open forward. Doing this will make you look self-assured, taller, and even slimmer.
Make sure you only get a pet if you have the means to take care of it actively. Pets require a good deal of responsibility and daily attention, but the benefits are enormous.
Try to exercise in ways that increase your flexibility. This way you will learn to see your body as something that is always evolving and changing.
Remember that taking good care of your teeth is a great way to increase confidence in your smile. Brush and floss regularly, and reduce your risk of tooth decay by rinsing your mouth out after eating or drinking sugary foods.
For example, if writing is your forte, craft poems and prose in your spare time. If you’re brilliant at sports, join a team that plays on the weekends so that you’ll always get your healthy dose of competition.
Because balance is key, treating yourself is also a part of eating well. If you’re tempted by the occasional ice cream cone or pastry, don’t deny yourself outright–this is where moderation comes in. Treating yourself will help you remember that how you treat yourself is a big part of the self-confidence that makes you radiant.
Progressive muscle relaxation Yoga Intentional breathing
Especially for women, wearing well-fitting clothing can change your perception of yourself for the better, increasing your confidence related to emotional management, social skills, and work-related tasks. [12] X Research source Kwon, Yoon-Hee. “Feeling toward one’s clothing and self-perception of emotion, sociability, and work competency. " Journal of Social Behavior & Personality (1994).
Going further, try to give challenge that little voice by silently answering it with the things you like most about yourself. Tell it why others might find you desirable–maybe you have luscious lips or tell the funniest jokes. Soon you’ll learn to see that qualities of your appearance and of your character are what make you attractive.
Stop judging yourself by taking your focus off of your appearance. Give yourself and the mirror a little time apart! People who view their image negatively tend to zoom in on their characteristics and flaws, and self-focus tends to also bring with it more self-criticism. [17] X Research source
Make an effort to focus on your achievements rather than your deficiencies. This means spending time taking stock of all of the unique things that you bring to the table. Whenever you are tempted to compare yourself to others, try appreciating them instead of approaching with envy. Marvel in your differences and think about how boring life would be if everyone had the same gifts. Besides, when you compare yourself to others, you are really comparing your insides to someone else’s outsides. This means that you’re bound to be disappointed–you have more knowledge about yourself, especially of the nasty little secrets that tend to be kept private.
If you wait too long, the acknowledgment can be confusing, too soon and you could be interrupting the speaker. Or, go above and beyond just acknowledging the compliment by elaborating on it or using it to open a new conversation. You can also share the wealth by giving an uplifting comment in return. [20] X Research source
