Get dressed up. Wearing clothes you love and that feel good on you goes a long way to helping you improve your self-confidence. The simple, familiar actions of combing your hair, shaving, and dressing can make you feel secure and confident.
Replace negative thoughts. Be aware when you’re telling yourself something negative and flip the switch. You have the power to change your thoughts and see the positive things about yourself. Learn more about being kind to yourself and overcoming negative self-talk.
Become your own best friend. Enjoy spending time by yourself, doing things you enjoy, and learning about what you like/dislike. Challenge yourself and celebrate your successes. Practising self-compassion is a powerful place to start.
Be kind. Doing good things for other people doesn’t just make the world a better place, it also boosts your mood and helps you feel better. Read more about how acts of kindness benefit both you and others.
Prepare in advance. If something in the future is making you nervous and worried, then getting prepared will help boost your confidence. Practice that speech, visit a venue in advance, and seek advice from someone who’s been there before. Arming yourself with information will help you feel ready for anything!
Stand by your principles. This is part of knowing and trusting yourself. Learn what values and principles you hold dear in your life and strive to live according to them. Acting in a way that aligns with your personal values will give you a confidence kick.
Improve your posture. Stand up straight – it will give you an instant confidence boost. People who hold themselves in a confident and assertive way are seen as confident and magnetic to others.
Celebrate your wins. Sometimes we spend so much time focusing on the next hurdle to cross, we don’t sit back to celebrate how far we’ve come. Do something fun and congratulate yourself on achieving your goal.
Find solutions. Do you find yourself worrying over issues too much? Flip your thinking around to focus on finding solutions. If you can’t find a solution, it’s probably something you can’t control, so there’s no point worrying about it.
Be grateful. Take a look at everything good in your life and be thankful for it. Even if things aren’t going your way, there’s still lots of awesomeness to enjoy. Write a list of five things you’re grateful for. I guarantee it will make you feel happier and more confident.
What are your surefire tricks to feel more confident? If you’d like to talk to someone, Youthline’s free helpline is available 24/7.
Get professional support
If you’re experiencing harm or are worried about someone you care about, there are people at Youthline who can help. Here’s how you can reach out:
Face to Face counselling (Auckland Only)
Talking to a Youthline counsellor online or in person can be helpful. Find out more here.
24/7 National Helpline
Remember, you can contact us anytime – our Helpline is free, private and available 24/7. There’s no need to worry about anyone finding out. Here’s how you can reach out for help:
Call: 0800 37 66 33
Text: 234
Email: talk@youthline.co.nz
Webchat: You can also chat with us online if that’s easier for you.