How to build Confidence and Self-Esteem?

Self-Confidence Vs. Self-Esteem

Self-confidence is the ability to trust (or have confidence) in yourself. In other words, it means how confident you are to accomplish something. For example, if you have practised well for a sports tournament or your upcoming examinations/interviews, you’ll have more confidence in your ability to succeed.

Self-esteem, on the other hand, is the ability to place value in yourself, and believe in your overall worth as a human being. If you have high self-esteem you do not fear failure or rejection because you know that your worth is not dependent on those things.

Relation between High Self-Esteem & Anxiety

Having high self-esteem is generally associated with lower levels of anxiety. Here's how high self-esteem can help reduce anxiety:

1. People with high self-esteem have increased confidence in their abilities and decisions which can reduce anxiety associated with uncertainty & fear of failure.

2. It enables individuals to cope better and more effectively with life's challenges. This can help reduce anxiety at time of difficulties.

3. People with high self-esteem are more resilient and their belief in their abilities help them navigate through challenges with less anxiety.

Individuals with high self-esteem are better at maintaining healthy relationships. This ability reduces interpersonal stressors, contributing to lower levels of anxiety.

5. High self-esteem often leads to a more positive self-image, making social interactions less intimidating. This can reduce social anxiety, allowing individuals to engage with others more comfortably.

6. People with high self-esteem are more secure in their self-worth and have less fear of rejection. This reduces anxiety related to social interactions & judgement from others.

Tips to Improve Confidence and Self-Esteem

Here are a few things that you can start incorporating in your lives today to know how to improve self-esteem and confidence in yourself.

1. Stop comparing yourself to others

No two people are alike, so there are no grounds for comparison. Your interests and your passions are unique to you. So, do what you love and love yourself for what you do instead of beating yourself up for the mistakes that you make.

2. Take it slowly and one step at a time

Get into the habit of doing little things every day as no change will come overnight. And believing that it can happen overnight can cause major frustration. Don’t get disheartened and keep moving forward, even if you are having a bad day.

3. Exit your comfort zone

Stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to grow. Try with smaller things like smiling at a stranger or trying new food, and once you have done this you will gain the confidence to try bigger things.

4. Be around people who believe in you

Try to surround yourself with people who are confident in you as we are often (or always) our own worst critics. Stay close to those who build you up and believe in you and say goodbye to the people who diminish you or put you down.

5. Do things that you enjoy and that makes you happy

Doing something that you love is good for the soul as feeling good makes it easier to be confident in yourself and your choices. It can either be exercising, making art, or spending time outside.

6. Accept and Love yourself

Embracing and loving yourself for who you are will help you build your self-esteem. But this cannot happen overnight. Spend time getting to know yourself and remember that whoever you are is perfectly ok and your value does not depend on what others think of you.

7. Stand up for yourself

It’s a circle: when you have high self-esteem, you stand up for yourself. And when you stand up for yourself, you strengthen your self-esteem. Make sure you are being treated the way you deserve to be treated, prioritise your own value, and you will start believing it.

8. Accept compliments

One way to boost your self-esteem is by learning to accept compliments from others rather than making it feel you awkward. This is because, as you start accepting compliments, your self-esteem will grow, which will then make it easier to accept more compliments.

9. Keep a journal

By writing down and reflecting on the events of the day, journaling builds both, self-confidence and self-esteem. This is because by writing down your thoughts and exploring your emotions, you are giving yourself a judgement-free zone and also taking time to reflect on your own experiences.

10. Practice self-love

You need to love yourself and being kind to yourself is very important. When you practice self-compassion, you create a safe space where you feel comfortable to try new things and make mistakes. This helps to build confidence and trust within yourself.