Alright, let’s talk about two things that can make or break how we feel about ourselves and how we show up in the world:
self-esteem vs. self-confidence.
They might sound like the same thing, but trust me, they’re different in some pretty important ways, and we need both to really thrive and be our best selves.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the world of self-confidence vs. self-esteem. We’ll explore what they really mean, how they differ, and why they both matter for our overall well-being and success. I’ll share some personal stories and insights along the way, as well as practical tips for boosting your own self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Introduction
- Self-confidence vs. self-esteem
- The “Watch Me Shine” Cycle
- The ”Well, That Didn’t Go As Planned” Cycle
- Conclusion
Introduction
Picture this: You’re getting ready for a big job interview. You’ve spent hours preparing, researching the company, and practicing your answers. As you’re putting on your best outfit and looking in the mirror, you can’t help but feel a mix of emotions.
On one hand, you feel confident in your abilities and know you’d be a great fit for the role. This is your self-confidence speaking – the belief in your skills and capacity to handle specific tasks or situations.
But on the other hand, you start to doubt yourself, wondering if you’re truly good enough and if the interviewer will see your value. This is where your self-esteem comes into play – your overall sense of self-worth and value as a person.
I’m pretty sure that even the most self-aware and confident one of you has been in the situation of doubting themselves or wishing they had more guts to do the thing. I feel like the most powerful thing is to know who you are, what you bring to the table, where you lack, and be able to stand for it and embody it fully.
I know I’ve been in this situation before. Even though I was born pretty confident and have been working on my confidence throughout my whole life, I’ve found myself drowning in self-doubt way too many times to count.
But you know what?
I feel like it’s actually valuable to experience these feelings so that we can work on them, grow, and come out feeling something better as a result. And let’s be real, as a total sucker for inner work, I honestly welcome these challenging feelings with open arms. They’re like a big, flashing sign telling me it’s time to level up my self-love game!
To sum up what we’re going to talk about:
You can absolutely work on boosting both your self-esteem and self-confidence, and girl, you 100% should!
Trust me, it’s a game-changer. When you feel good about yourself and believe in your abilities, it’s like everything just falls into place. You’ll be a happier version of yourself, stress less, and have this amazing clarity in your life. Plus, everything you do and say will feel so much easier and more natural. It’s like you’re just flowing through life, radiating confidence and positivity. So, let’s dive in and figure out how to give your self-esteem and self-confidence a major boost!
Self-confidence vs. self-esteem
Self-confidence is the belief in your abilities, skills, and judgment. It’s about trusting yourself to handle challenges and achieve your goals.
Self-esteem, on the other hand, is your overall sense of self-worth and value as a person. It’s the way you see and feel about yourself, regardless of your achievements or external validation.
Now, I know what you might be thinking.
“But wait, isn’t having high self-confidence and self-esteem just about being arrogant or narcissistic?” Absolutely not! In fact, true self-confidence and self-esteem come from a place of humility, self-awareness, and a growth mindset.
Simply explained:
When you have healthy self-confidence, you’re not afraid to take risks, learn from failures, and keep pushing forward. You know that your worth isn’t tied to your successes or failures, but rather to your character and resilience. And when you have healthy self-esteem, you’re able to love and accept yourself unconditionally, flaws and all. You don’t need constant external validation or comparison to feel good about who you are.
Truth to be told
Building and maintaining self-confidence and self-esteem, as you’ve probably already guessed, is a lifelong journey.
Just like any other aspect of your self-development strategy, maintaining your self-esteem and confidence is something that you’ll need to work on consistently throughout your entire life.
It’s not a one-and-done deal, girl!
Life will keep throwing new challenges and experiences your way, and each one is an opportunity to either strengthen or shake your sense of self.
That’s why it’s so crucial to have a solid set of tools and techniques in your back pocket, ready to whip out whenever you need a little boost. And trust me, we all need a boost from time to time! It’s totally normal to have moments where you feel a little unsure of yourself or your abilities.
The key is to recognise those moments for what they are—temporary blips on the radar—and then take action to get yourself back on track.
You’ve got this!
Don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself struggling with self-doubt or low self-esteem from time to time.
It doesn’t mean you’re failing at personal growth or that you’re not making progress. It just means you’re human, and you’re doing the best you can with what you’ve got.
And that, my friend, is something to be proud of!
Keep showing up for yourself, keep doing the work, and keep believing in your own inherent worth and potential. You’ve got this!
One of the most powerful tools to grab when you need a cheer-up are books. I love books, especially those that will give you the much-needed confidence boost that you are awaiting.
Tips from my personal library:
You Are a Badass series by Jen Sincero
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The “Watch Me Shine” Cycle
Or how it could be called The Positive Effect of Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence Alignment. They compliment each other quite well indeed.
You do well in one thing, and it makes you feel more confident.
That boost in confidence makes you feel better about yourself overall.
And the cool thing is, this good feeling doesn’t just stay in one part of your life. It spreads out, affecting other areas too. Before you know it, you’re growing and improving in ways you didn’t expect. It’s pretty amazing how it all connects and builds on itself.
Tips to keep the spiral going:
- Celebrate your wins, no matter how small.
- Keep a “success journal” to remind yourself of your achievements.
- Set progressive goals that build on each other.
- Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your growth.
- Practice self-compassion when facing setbacks.
- Regularly step out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself.
The ”Well, That Didn’t Go As Planned” Cycle
I’m quite sure you’ve had one of those days.
You know the type – your alarm goes off late, you miss the bus you absolutely needed to catch, and then you spill coffee all over yourself on the way to work. And all this before the day has even properly started!
It’s like the universe is conspiring against you, right? These things might seem small, but they can really mess with your self-esteem and confidence.
Here’s the thing though – the day will be the way you allow it to be.
If in your head you can’t think about anything worse, it won’t be a good day. But if you embody the chaos, that let’s be honest, you know won’t last forever, you’re good to go and have a good day.
It’s all about perspective and how you choose to approach the challenges thrown your way.
If you find yourself way too often being pushed out of your “good day” mode into “this sucks” mode by things, no matter how big or small, and you’re not okay with that, here’s what helps:
- Pause and breathe: Take a moment to step back from the situation and take a few deep breaths. Question to ask: Is this really that big of a deal or it can be dealt with some other way?
- Practice perspective shifting: Ask yourself, “Will this matter in a week? A month? A year?” Often, the answer is no, which can help reduce the impact of small setbacks.
- Use positive self-talk: Replace negative thoughts with encouraging ones. Instead of “I always mess up,” try “I’m learning and improving every day.”
- Create a ‘good vibes’ toolkit: Prepare a list of things that instantly boost your mood – favorite songs, funny videos, or inspiring quotes. Use these when you need a quick pick-me-up.
- Develop a resilience mantra: Create a short, powerful phrase to repeat when things go wrong, like “I’ve got this” or “This too shall pass.”
- Engage in mood-boosting activities: Have a list of activities that reliably improve your mood, like exercise, creative hobbies, or spending time in nature.
Conclusion
So you can find some advice and tools about boosting your self-confidence and self-esteem in this article right?
Look, at the end of the day, it all comes down to you. You’ve got to be the one to take that first step. Remember, change starts from within. If you really want something, you can make it happen.
It’s not always easy, and yeah, there’ll be days when you doubt yourself. But that’s okay. We all have those moments. The key is to keep pushing forward, even when it feels tough.
Think about it this way: confidence isn’t just something you’re born with. It’s like a muscle – the more you work on it, the stronger it gets.
Here’s the thing – when you start believing in yourself, amazing things can happen. You’ll find the courage to chase after what you really want, whether that’s a new job, a relationship, or just being happier with who you are.
So go on, give it a shot. You’ve got this, friend.
Remember, you’re capable of more than you think. Now get out there and show the world what you’re made of!
This post was all about the crucial differences between self-confidence and self-esteem, highlighting their unique roles in personal growth and success. We explored how these two concepts interact, creating both positive and challenging cycles in our lives, and provided practical tips for boosting both. Ultimately, the article emphasizes the importance of nurturing both self-confidence and self-esteem as part of a lifelong journey towards becoming our best selves.
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