Embarrassment and anxiety are staple characteristics for most people in the ego-driven society we live in. With the rising phenomenon of social media causing us instant comparison at the click of a button on a daily basis, it’s no reason we feel so embarrassed all of the time.
As more and more social media apps are evolving, it may seem that we’re on a downward slope towards taking our anxiety levels to their absolute peak. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are certain things we can do to help ourselves, so that we don’t feel complete embarrassment all of the time, at least. During this article, we will go through a few different tips and tricks in which we can help ourselves to feel more confident.
Address The Situation
The first point of the call is to address what’s actually causing the anxiety and embarrassment. Usually, when you feel embarrassed or shy – there’s a reason behind this. If it’s a physicality that you can’t change, you simply need to work on living with it with confidence. If it’s something that you can change, then fix the situation. For example, if it’s excessive facial hair you struggle with as a woman, you can invest in laser hair removal. To pay for this upfront is costly, however, if your hirsutism is causing you embarrassment daily, then this procedure may be worth it for you.
Similarly, it may be tooth related. Sometimes, for whatever reason, not all of us got braces when we were younger to fix our crooked teeth. Now and then they fix themselves in adulthood, but for a percentage of us, they don’t. If your teeth are bothering you each day and causing you embarrassment, then it’s time to fix the issue. Luckily, there are many kinds of discreet braces that exist for adults, making the process of getting braces more bearable. The best option on the market for adults at the moment is invisible braces. These are a much better option to opt for as an adult rather than normal braces, as they’re extremely discreet. No one will even know you’re wearing them! If you’re reading this and are constantly embarrassed by your crooked teeth – this is your sign to get invisible braces!
Dress For Success
What you wear can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself. If you dress in clothes that make you feel good, you’ll be more likely to feel confident in yourself. Choose clothes that make you feel comfortable and stylish, and avoid anything that makes you feel self-conscious or frumpy.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
If you want to feel more confident, it’s important to start speaking kindly to yourself. Every time you have a negative thought about yourself, try to counter it with a positive one. For example, if you’re thinking “I’m so fat,” try to replace it with “I’m healthy and beautiful.”
Over time, these affirmations set powerful beliefs that change the way you think about yourself in a constructive manner that leads to improved self-esteem. If you’re not doing positive self-talk already, then it’s time to start. The internet has a wide range of resources on how to do positive self-talk if you’re new to this technique. In six months’ time, you could be a different person!
Set Realistic Goals
Part of feeling better about yourself is knowing that you can achieve your goals. So, make sure to set goals that are achievable and realistic. This way, you’ll have the confidence boost of achieving them, and you won’t be setting yourself up for disappointment. Similarly, by setting small goals, you’re less likely to feel imposter syndrome in work-led situations. Imposter syndrome is a psychological condition in which people doubt their accomplishments and feel like they are frauds. For those of you that feel embarrassed regularly, imposter syndrome can be a real setback for you, especially in the workplace. For this reason, it’s best to start small and take it little by little. Over time as your small wins become more evident, you’ll see how you are capable and can set your mind to do anything.
Challenge Yourself
One of the best ways to feel more confident is to challenge yourself on a regular basis. Trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone will help you feel good about yourself and your abilities. For example, you may be too scared to go out for dinner by yourself. So start small, first start with a self-coffee date before challenging yourself to go for a sit-down meal alone. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Once your first mini-challenge, you can do anything you set your mind to!
Surround Yourself With Supportive People
The people you surround yourself with can have a big impact on how you feel about yourself. If you’re around people who are constantly putting you down, it can dampen your self-worth. The phrase misery loves company exists for a reason. If you feel your current circle isn’t matching your energy or how you wish to be, find those good vibes people that can impact you and your confidence more positively.
Overall, there are many things you can do to help yourself so that you feel more confident and less embarrassed. If it’s something you can physically change that’s dampening your self-worth, change it! If you’re wanting a promotion in the workplace but your imposter syndrome is holding you back, set yourself some realistic goals to work towards as your confidence builds. And if the people in your life aren’t supporting you or matching you on the energy you need and deserve, change your circle. You only get one life, so you deserve to live it as freely as possible.
