confidence

5 Ways to Boost your Confidence

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Being a strong woman in a world full of people ready and willing to push you down can really take a toll on your confidence.  I literally just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert after much procrastination and watching the movie 500 times.  I was inspired by her story, especially her trip to India that led her to regain her confidence.  It is important to remember that we are beautiful, sassy, smart, innovative, movers and shakers of our environment.  But there is that one day that you are feeling just a bit down.  Here are some ideas to pick you up when you're not feeling top-notch.

Dress the way you want to feel

It is amazing what clothes can do to our self-esteem.  Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself, "Damn, I look good"?  Ladies, you can sincerely feel like this all the time.  You know how the saying goes;

"Dress for the job you want"

The same goes for your mood.  Dress for the mood you want to have.  If you want to feel sexy, slip on that thong you know makes you feel like you are being a little naughty and it will exude on the outside and if you want to feel like you can take over the world, put on a power suit.

Drop the negativity

It's sometimes hard to see when people are bringing you down, especially when you're a women.  We all get caught up in the drama and gossip in the world around us.  It's so easy to just get sucked in.  I mean that's why reality TV is so addicting.  We love to revel in someone else's life when its worse than ours.  Well, snap out of it!

I know it can be difficult to get rid of friends who might be bringing us down as well but you have to remember that friends sometimes come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.  If the reason is up and they are bringing you down, it's time to move on.  Exuding confidence is all about YOU, not the other person.  Trust me, I am guilty of being a people pleaser but I know when to drop my losses.  Walk away from the negative talk and get yourself back in stride.

Talk to yourself

That's right, I said it.  Look in the mirror and talk to yourself.  Find a mantra that works for you like, "I am beautiful, no one today is going to bring me down" or "I am going to take over the world".  Whatever it may be, make sure its a positive, reassuring mantra that you are going to say to yourself.  The most important thing about this routine is that you have to do it daily and you have to believe it.  If you don't believe it, repeat it again until you do. Positive self-talk is so powerful

Hit the gym

You don't necessarily have to go to the gym but work out.  Do something.  Get off the couch and get moving.  WebMD says that working out releases endorphins which basically means it releases a chemical that makes us happy.  The same chemical that makes us smile when we hear a baby laugh.  Not only that, but after working out for a little while, you'll feel better about your body, you'll have more energy, and most importantly, you'll be more confident.

Surround yourself with positive people

I recently heard from someone you should surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.  I have always been a strong believer in having friends and significant others who bring you up and not bring you down.  I have been blessed with a great set of friends and every time we're together, it just reassures me and reminds me of how awesome they are smart, beautiful, positive women with the most amazing hearts.  It did take a while to get the negative people out of my life and it was worth it.  Find a mentor, surround yourself with amazing people, and your confidence will be the last thing you worry about.

Keep in mind these are just tips.  If you going through depression, please seek professional help.  From someone who has experienced depression before, it might be hard to get out of your own way when you're feeling down in the dumps.

Stay sassy, confident, and remember you are the most beautiful woman in the world!

Friends, confidence

 

No One Likes the Same Flavor of Ice Cream

imagesIn the mornings, I like indulge myself with talk radio.  I know it's not good for me but I enjoy listening to other people ramble about their opinions except when the topic becomes really shallow, then I change to the station with no commercials and no talking.  The other day, a topic came up that I couldn't really listen to, it actually made me kind of sad that people need to justify themselves with the opinion. I might come off judgmental saying this, however, the topic was whether you get upset when you take the time to make yourself look good and no one compliments you.  In all reality, who cares?!?!  Beauty comes from the inside.  I have learned over the years that if I exude confidence and I know that I am beautiful then others will notice.  As a matter of fact, growing up, my younger sister always made it a competition to have all the boys like her.  I was very awkward and insecure from middle to high school.  She was always the pretty, thin one, popular one (in my eyes).  But one day, something happened... someone liked me over her.  Blasphemy!  Honestly, I was kind of shocked and surprised but that doesn't matter.

In time I learned that the same guys who like me aren't going to like her and vice versa.  I only say that because we are two different people.  We have different likes, we look very different, and have very different personalities.  I am okay with that.  I love nerds (which is very apparent if you were ever to meet the Comedian, he does IT for a living).  Some people used to ask me whether it bothered me if I was overlooked and I used to tell them,

"No one likes the same flavor of ice cream.  They just might not like my flavor."

Topics like the one mentioned on the radio the other just shows how insecure people might be.  They justify it with making it a big deal that they might spend 2 hours getting ready for whatever event they might be going to.  That's great!  Spend that time getting ready if it makes YOU feel beautiful.  At the end of the day, you are responsible for you so take care of yourself.  Make yourself look the way you feel.  There's a saying that goes,

"Dress for the job you want."

That also goes for every day life.  You deserve to feel beautiful inside and out regardless of the opinions are others.  Remember, opinions are like ummmm (trying not to curse) mouths, everyone has one.  :-)