We all admit that confidence is sexy, and while it’s easy to say “you should be more confident”, it’s not as easy to do. There’s a reason people are confident or not, and just saying “be more confident” is the most basic and useless advice you could get after “pray the gay away!”
Having said that, there are ways to help boost your confidence and make you feel more comfortable and in control. In a very real way, you can “fake it til you make it” and even acting confident can trick your brain into feeling confident.
So we’ve put together a few tips to help boost your natural confidence levels. You may not instantly become comfortable doing presentations or stripping off (hopefully not during your presentation), but they can help to get you at least part of the way there.
1. Dress to impress
You’ve heard of corporate types having a “power suit”, and for good reason. Combining an outfit that you feel comfortable in and looks great is a delicate balance, and may require some serious shopping hours (damnit). Aim to look presentable and “put together” without adopting a look that doesn’t suit you. Be yourself, just slicker.
2. Do something positive
A simple act of kindness can go a long way to making you feel more confident. Hold the door for someone, buy your co-worker a coffee from Pret, offer your seat to someone on the tube. So often these days we lack simple human interaction, and offering an act of kindness not only makes you feel good about yourself, it will often be very much appreciated (especially for those living in London).
A grateful stranger smiling at you is a great way to start your day off with a boost.
3. Check your resting bitch face
They say that when you smile, the whole world smiles with you, but if you’re not happy we’ll never tell you to fake it. However, if you’re like me, maybe you wear a resting bitch face or a general scowl when you’re out in public or on the tube. Are you genuinely pissed off or are you just used to being a stroppy bitch? And if it’s the latter does it actually make you feel better? If not, why not put on a non-bitch face – at least for the walk from the tube to work – and see how it makes you feel.
4. Set goals and challenge yourself
Giving yourself a straightforward goal to work towards can give you a huge boost of confidence when you finally achieve it. Make it realistic and measurable so that when you achieve it, you can give yourself a well-earned pat on the back. Whether it’s asking that cute guy out from the coffee shop, taking an online course, or finally mastering pull-ups. Set yourself a challenge, work towards it and achieve it and feel INCREDIBLE when you do!
If you’re setting yourself a fitness goal, get yourself a gay PT to help. They can help set realistic yet challenging goals and will then kick your ass until you achieve it and celebrate with you when you do! Which brings us to…
5. Celebrate your achievements
It’s so easy to get caught up in our constant efforts to achieve more and more. Take the time to stop and really celebrate your achievements, whatever they are. You did it! Well done! You’re awesome! You can achieve anything!
6. Stop procrastinating
My God if they had a pill that stopped you from procrastinating… I would have finished this article a long time ago (*quickly skims Instagram*). Check yourself once a day to see what you’re procrastinating doing, and then do it!
Not only will you feel more confident about being bold and making progress, but you’ll also be more excited about what you’re achieving or about to achieve.
7. Relax and do something fun
Stress is the biggest mental health problem in the world today, and it can decimate your self-confidence. So it’s more important than ever to take time out to relax and do something you love.
When you’re properly relaxed you’ll be less emotional and you’ll feel calmer, letting you feel more in control of your life.
So do something tonight that makes you feel good. Meditate, take a long bath and sing along to Mariah Carey, cook a meal for your friends or your partner (or yourself), put on your favourite movie or trash TV show.
Just do what you want and give yourself some time and space to just be you. You’ve earned it.
Keep fit and stay healthy
Staying fit and healthy is a great way to boost your confidence, and if you’re new to the world of fitness you could always get yourself a gay personal trainer.
If that’s not your thing you could also purchase one of our 6-week training programs to help get you started.
And you can also receive weekly workouts for free by subscribing to our newsletter.