5 simple ways to gain more self-confidence

Nowadays, almost everyone lives on social media and that can be quite confronting: everyone seems to have it so perfect. With perfect figures, perfect relationships, perfect jobs, and perfect vacations. Well, you really know that not everything you see on social media is real, but it can still gnaw at you. Even worse: you might start doubting yourself. Unfortunately, low self-esteem is something many people have to deal with, and it can be quite challenging to tackle. According to Psychology Today, however, there are five simple steps you can take to gradually boost your self-confidence. Absolutely worth trying.

1. Challenge yourself
Think about what you are dissatisfied with. Is it something about your appearance or something in your behavior? Do you want to get fitter or eat healthier, for example? Choose one thing from all those things and challenge yourself in that area. It can also be an irritation or argument with your partner or friends that you really want to express. Focus on that one challenge and try to do everything you can to accomplish it.

2. Don't expect too much in a short time
If you expect huge results right away, you will only end up disappointed. That's why it's important not to expect too much right at that first step. Is your challenge to exercise more? Then don't commit to seven days a week right away, but start small. Baby steps are the secret; as a new athlete, once a week is already quite an achievement, and you should be proud of that.

3. Praise your effort, not the outcome
Let's continue with the example of wanting to exercise more: don't constantly weigh yourself to see if you've lost weight, but praise yourself for the fact that you are sticking with it and doing your best. That is the most important thing.

4. Don't criticize yourself
This is a tough one: getting that angry, unkind voice out of your head. The trick is to become aware that you are thinking negatively about yourself. When you do that, you need to train yourself to stop it immediately. Focus on something else, say out loud that it's okay — that you are okay and that you are doing well. Positive affirmations really help.

5. Seek support
Even though self-confidence is something that must come from within, that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. Be vocal about your challenges, your obstacles, and talk about them with your surroundings. Friends will support you in your challenges, and even if you find it all a bit harder, you can express that to them. You will see that just expressing it often works wonders, let alone if you get a pep talk on top of that.

Source: Psychology Today