How To Build Your Confidence & Chase Your Dreams
Happy Friday!
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As a woman living in this day and age, there have been times when I've fallen prey to the destructive concept of "an ideal woman" or what society thought I should be. At a time when technology is literally at our fingertips, we are being bombarded with images, songs, movies, and other media that influences us and if we're not careful, can define us.
I don't know about you, but there came a point in my life where I said, "Enough is enough." I got tired of my self-worth and happiness being determined by other people and other things. I wanted to be a strong, confident woman that didn't give a s*** what others thought about me. I wanted to not only be happy in my own skin, but feel beautiful in it! I wanted to know how it felt to truly be me...the best version of me.
Changes like this are often easier said than done and I have in no way perfected it yet. I work on it every single day. But as time passes, it becomes easier and easier to see the beauty in myself that God put there and to exude a confidence that can only come from being truly happy with who I am.
So today I'm going to share with you some of the things that I've done (and continue to do) that help me increase my confidence and give me the strength to chase my dreams and live my best life!
First: Love Yourself and Be Yourself!
Before you can gain more confidence in yourself, you have to learn to accept yourself and love yourself. Invest time in bettering who you are as a person and deciding what you want for yourself. This includes taking care of yourself mentally and physically. You can't combat life's battles successfully until you've conquered the ones within you.
A few things I do to practice self-love and increase my self-worth are:
Before you can gain more confidence in yourself, you have to learn to accept yourself and love yourself. Invest time in bettering who you are as a person and deciding what you want for yourself. This includes taking care of yourself mentally and physically. You can't combat life's battles successfully until you've conquered the ones within you.
A few things I do to practice self-love and increase my self-worth are:
- Meditation - I use the Headspace app and couldn't love it more! It only takes three to ten minutes a day and really helps me focus on my body, relax my mind, and feel refreshed for the day
- Mental Goals - I make goals to compliment myself more and complain about myself less.
- Me Time - I always set aside time for myself. Whether it's watching my favorite show, taking a bath, getting a massage, or giving myself a facial. Whatever it is that relaxes you and makes you feel good, do it!
"Stop hating yourself for everything you aren't, and start loving yourself for everything you already are"
Second: Don't Live in Fear or Be Afraid to Fall
Fear comes in many shapes and sizes and is different for every single person. Fear is part of life and something everyone struggles with at some point or another. But you cannot let fear and doubt define you or control your life. Doing that will only stunt your growth and hold you back from reaching your full potential. You've got to find something that gives you hope and motivates you to live life to the fullest. Ditch that heavy cloud of fear that's lingering over you and let the sunshine in!
"What If I Fall? Oh Darling, What If You Fly?"
Third: Choose Happiness and Positivity
I've mentioned this in previous posts, but I am a firm believer that happiness is 100% a choice. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, we can control how we react and whether or not we will still find joy. Be the person that sees the silver lining in every hard, tragic, unfortunate situation. Show others that positivity is not an idea of the past, but is very much alive today.
Life is much more enjoyable, pleasant, and manageable when you realize happiness is a choice. Choose happiness and a lot of other things in your life will fall into place.
Life is much more enjoyable, pleasant, and manageable when you realize happiness is a choice. Choose happiness and a lot of other things in your life will fall into place.
"Being happy is a very personal thing and it really has nothing do to with anyone else"
Fourth: Overcome Trials and Learn From Your Mistakes
Trial and error is one of the main ways that we as humans learn. We're always taught that it's ok to mess up, and it is, as long as we learn from our mistakes. If we let them, our mistakes can teach us a lot and help mold us into better versions of ourselves. Don't let the mistakes you've made in the past weigh you down. Recognize the lesson to be taught and then move on, carrying that knowledge with you. Doing this will help you have more confidence while making future decisions and chasing your dreams!
"The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence"
Fifth: Don't Play the Comparison Game
Ugh, the comparison game. It really is that...a game. It's a mental game that we can easily be sucked into. It's so easy when you don't feel good about yourself or you're feeling down to start wishing you had someone else's life. Maybe you're envious of her hair. Or maybe you wish you had her wardrobe. Or maybe you wish your house was as cute as hers. I am telling you from experience, this only makes you feel worse!
More often than not, the pictures or moments we see on social media are mere glimpses into a staged, "perfect" shot. Maybe the girl with gorgeous hair has a job that she hates. Maybe the woman with all the great clothes has a really sick child. Maybe the gal with the cutest house has self esteem issues. My point? We never know what battles someone else is fighting. Saying that we want to be them would include taking on that "perfect" trait we so envy...but it'd also mean taking on their trials and struggles too. Don't compare apples to oranges. You do you!
More often than not, the pictures or moments we see on social media are mere glimpses into a staged, "perfect" shot. Maybe the girl with gorgeous hair has a job that she hates. Maybe the woman with all the great clothes has a really sick child. Maybe the gal with the cutest house has self esteem issues. My point? We never know what battles someone else is fighting. Saying that we want to be them would include taking on that "perfect" trait we so envy...but it'd also mean taking on their trials and struggles too. Don't compare apples to oranges. You do you!
"Don't compare your life to others. There's no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it's their time."
Sixth: Make Things Happen...Don't Wait
There will never be a perfect time for you to start believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. Good things come to those who hustle. One day or day one, you decide. Ok this sounds like a bunch of cliches put into a paragraph, but they're all true! Get out of your comfort zone, get to work and start making your dreams happen.
There will never be a perfect time for you to start believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. Good things come to those who hustle. One day or day one, you decide. Ok this sounds like a bunch of cliches put into a paragraph, but they're all true! Get out of your comfort zone, get to work and start making your dreams happen.
"Comfort is the enemy of progress."
Seventh: Never Give Up
I feel like one of those dads in the old sports movies that would always tell their sons to never give up on their dreams and keep doing their best. Well maybe there was more wisdom in those old movies then we give credit for. Life in general can be hard at times, and so can chasing your dreams. Believe me I know. It may feel as though some days you're fighting like crazy just to stay afloat. Again, I know. But you have to remember why you started. When things get difficult, remember your goal. Why are you doing what you're doing? How will you feel when you reach that goal? Keep the end in sight and stay the course. Refuse to sink.
"Never give up what you want most for what you want today"
Lastly: Shake It Off
Seriously though, do what T-Swift says and "Shake It Off". There will always be people in your life that are jealous, negative, degrading, mean, you name it. But as they say, haters gonna hate. The sooner you can learn to brush off the negativity and keep on rollin', the better off you'll be. As long as you're happy doing your thing, lovin' yourself, and being kind to others...who cares what people think? Growing up, my dad always taught me that we can only control ourselves, not others. So choose how you will react when in the face of conflict and contentious people. Don't sweat the small stuff!
"Stop letting people who do so little for you, control so much of your mind, feelings and emotions"
I have faith in all of you and know that each of you can be your most fierce, successful, bada** selves! Love yourself, believe in yourself, and have confidence in yourself. After that, chasing your dreams will come easily!
These Liverpool jeans from Leander Boutique...fit like a glove and I couldn't love them more. They never lose their shape, they're the perfect dark denim shade, and they're long actually enough on me! I'm wearing size 8/29. Use code "LEXI" for 15% off. Enjoy!
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