The core of confidence lies in self-trust, not just self-love. While self-love is important, it’s built on a foundation of trusting oneself. When trust is lacking, love often follows suit. Consider the parallels with trusting others in your life. The feelings of anxiety, worry, doubt, and uncertainty that arise from a lack of trust in others mirror those that surface when you don’t trust yourself.

Picture the unease that comes when you can’t rely on someone else, and how it manifests as anxiety, worry, doubt, and insecurity. The same emotions emerge when you don’t trust yourself, but they manifest differently. You’re uneasy about embodying your true self, hesitant to express your genuine feelings, concerned about external opinions, seeking approval, unsure of your place with others, and uneasy in their presence.

These are all signs that you’re not fully embracing, understanding, or validating yourself. If you’ve ever been told to exercise more, join a gym, buy clothes that make you feel great, get a manicure done and do a lot of self-care or maybe even journal some feelings. By all means keep those up as these can complement the process.

But the truth is those are like placing icing on the cake.

The foundational ingredients for confidence are different. Start with:

Practice accepting yourself.

Being mindful to avoid shaming, judging, or bullying yourself for your feelings, appearance, beliefs, desires, and needs.

Forming a strong connection with your choices regarding your thoughts, actions, words, emotions, desires, and needs.

Trusting yourself when you make decisions that align with what’s right for you.

These are the essential components for building authentic confidence.

Begin there 😊

Louise xx