5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence

Here at bloom, our goal is to make products that make you feel empowered and create a safe space where you can find encouragement. We are here to share in that journey with you. Behind the scenes, we face the same every day struggles that most encounter. Let me start off by introducing myself, my name is Taylor and I recently started an internship here at bloom. Similarly to many, I have struggled with insecurities and a lack of confidence. I'm here to tell you, it’s natural. But when we let those insecurities take over our minds and flood the thoughts that make us who we are, it can be detrimental to our self-worth and confidence.

Confidence is beautiful and it is one of the most important aspects of life that you can possess. Here are 5 tips to boost your self-confidence this year.

1. Be Okay With Imperfection  

“Comparison is the thief of joy,” - Theodore Roosevelt

Comparison is a dangerous weapon that overcomes a lot of minds, especially with the increased use of social media. Social media is a tool that allows people to express themselves and connect with others. Oftentimes, it is misused as a source of comparison to doubt our appearances, lifestyle, and accomplishments. Here’s the catch: people showcase the very best aspects of their lives, or their “highlight reels,” on social media. The emphasis is placed on the “best” version of ourselves rather than the “real” version ourselves. Ultimately, we are stuck scrolling endlessly on social media, comparing our lives to someone else’s seemingly “perfect” life.  Stop comparing yourself to others! You are unique in your own way, you are beautiful in your own way, and you are strong in your own way! You never know what someone else is going through or struggling with. No one's life is perfect. Don’t swap your own happiness with wishing for someone else’s! This is easier said than done, so let’s start small.

Tip: Reduce your time on social media. Focus your energy towards things on your to do list and the things that make you happy. The average person spends 2 hours and 33 minutes on social media per day! That’s 912 hours AKA 38 full 24 hour days of the year spent mindlessly scrolling. Have you ever said you wished you had more time? There it is! What else could you be doing with that time?

Tip: Follow only brands or people that empower you to be strong, confident, and beautiful inside and out. Unfollow any brands or people that make you feel “less than.” 

Challenge: Join our February Challenge! 

 2. Surround Yourself With Positivity

Who are you surrounding yourself with? Notice how you feel when you are hanging out with different friends or family members (virtual and in person.) Which people lift you up? Which ones focus their energy on the positives and finding the good in every situation?

Exercise: Write a list of the top 10 people you spend your time with and write a list of adjectives or feelings associated with that person. Remember, you are a reflection of the people you spend the most time with! (Example: Mom - loved, cared for, calm, safe.) Take a look at your list and identify the people that make you feel the best. Keep those friends close and watch how they help you find strengths that encourage you to bloom. Once you find those strengths, triple down on them! Choose to focus your energy on being surrounded by people that inspire you to grow into your happiest self. 

Tip: If you want to attract other kind and amazing people, be that person for someone else! An easy way to begin is by passing along our Act of Kindness Cards. 

 

3. Trust Yourself

The key to trusting and believing in yourself is to first understand that it is okay to have self-doubt. Self-doubt does not define you, nor what you are capable of accomplishing.  Welcome self-doubt with open arms but learn to keep going. 

Tip: Start by identifying - what are your biggest self-doubts? What are you afraid of doing?

Challenge: Do one thing every day that scares you. No matter the scale, learn to trust yourself and overcome that fear.

Exercise: Repeat this positive affirmation: “I trust myself to make good decisions. I am confident in who I am.” 

4. Practice Self-Care

Self-care looks different for everyone, but is just as important no matter who you are. Self-care practices can often be found in our habits. Start by changing a small habit. Not ready to make a change, or don’t know where to start? Start small by tidying up your room every morning when you wake up or before you go to bed every night. This will help your mental clarity and help you feel a sense of accomplishment every morning and night. This is something I started doing and I’ve noticed is making a big change. Setting an attainable and minor goal daily allows little joys throughout the week that will brighten your mood!

Here are some tips from the  women at bloom on how they personally practice self care: 

Taylor: Connect with your inner bliss and do more of what makes you happy! I decided to get a hobby - I am going to spend more time cooking, baking, and sharing my recipes with others. This is something that always makes me feel happy and accomplished. 

Lauren: Start each day with a little bit of movement! This helps me take time for just me and center my thoughts and intentions for the day. I recommend starting small with this 10 Minute Morning Yoga Challenge. I also love to journal and I have a specific positive affirmations journal that I try to write in daily. My goal is to fill up an entire page of positive affirmations. I always feel so much lighter and happier after I do this! 

Michelle: I make sure I schedule out at least a few hours a week to spend time with myself, my son, and my husband.

1. alone (my husband takes the baby to his parents to visit and I have the house to myself for a few hours)
2. with just my son (while my husband is out running errands, etc.)
3. with just my husband (baby is sleeping or at grandmas, no phones, etc.). 95% of the time we're all home together, which I absolutely love, but I've found all of these interaction 'combos' "fill my cup" in different ways and allow me to connect more deeply.

Kaylyn: Put your phone down! I am so guilty of trying to please everyone and get back to everyone right away. This is not necessary. It can wait. I have started leaving my phone in my purse when I get home and I don’t take it out until I go to bed. I want to be present when I get home with my fiancé, for dinner, and for our time together in the evening. This leaves me with a clearer mind, in a happier, more relaxed state and refreshed after a full day of screen time at work.

Jenn: Create. You don’t have to be an artist to do something creative; draw, write, paint, play music, dance, etc. Some other self care aspects I recommend are doing at home facials or getting your nails done. It’s okay to pamper yourself once in a while!

Mackenzie: Write an activity down for just you every day on your to do list. Literally schedule yourself into your day. Balance your time given to others with time given yourself. Every time you say yes to someone else, you're also saying no to an opportunity for yourself. Journal, read, take a walk, call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while; just do something that makes you genuinely happy for the sake of pure enjoyment.

5. Live Graciously and Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is the readiness to show appreciation and display kindness. Count your blessings and live with a gracious heart. Say thanks to the barista making your coffee, be generous to the person checking you out in line, and be authentic everyday to yourself! If you woke up tomorrow morning with only the things you were thankful for tonight, what and who would surround you at the start of each new day? 

There is nothing more important than investing time into yourself. We would love to follow along with you during your journey. Comment below some ways you plan on boosting your confidence this year!

xoxo, 

Taylor