Unleashing Your Inner Strength
Lacking confidence is obvious, and it manifests in various ways. Everything and everybody around you senses that energy, those low vibrations. When my confidence was at its lowest, I experienced worse anxiety; I was a people pleaser, and I wasn’t fulfilled living the life I was living. It became clear to me that this internal struggle was having a significant impact on my overall well-being.
Anxiety in the workplace was not only due to the illness itself, but it also stemmed from my lack of confidence. I didn't feel capable of completing the required tasks within my role, which only added to my stress. I constantly thought people were watching and silently judging me, creating a cycle of self-doubt. However, when I started to shift this mindset by choosing to believe in myself, I slowly built the confidence to not care who was looking, thinking, or talking about me.
However, I found myself becoming too comfortable once I felt confident completing certain tasks within a role. I started to become stagnant, and I resented the change because that meant I would have to go through the uncomfortable part of growth all over again. But even if I strayed away from the unknown, life would eventually drag me through it regardless. That being said, I had to learn how to work through situations when I didn’t feel confident. Recently, I have undergone many uncomfortable yet transformative stages in my life. Each experience taught me valuable lessons about resilience. Despite my fear of change, I had to continue moving forward, even when the path was unclear. To this day, whether I have the confidence or not, I am faking it. I turn off facial expressions and give it my all. If people don’t sense that I am stressed, they see confidence; they see I have it all together, even when I don't. I promise you, this works wonders.
Many of my coworkers mentioned how I look as if I have it all together. Little do they know, I was sweating from the inside out, my mind and heart racing, hands shaking, but I just kept moving. I had no choice but to keep going. I was bartending, and if I were to stop, I would go underwater. The tickets would keep printing, customers would walk up to the bar while others wanted to cash out, and it would become chaos. Therefore, no matter how stressed I am, I will fake it till I make it. I will put on my confidence cap and keep going until I am done. That’s what we have to do with every aspect of our lives. Face it with everything you've got, no matter how scared you are. It's a powerful mindset that can carry you through even the toughest moments.
Confidence means trusting yourself. Trusting that you have the ability to do the impossible, trusting that you look absolutely stunning every time you walk out the door, and trusting that, deep down, you are a genuine, sweet person who has everyone's best interests at heart. You have to have enough confidence that nobody can tell you otherwise. You must believe in yourself to the point that nobody can affect you. You know who you are—your mindset, your values, your personal beliefs; nobody can alter that. No matter what people may say about you, you know who you are. Stay confident, and they won’t doubt you.
In the journey toward self-confidence, it's essential to acknowledge that growth often comes from discomfort and facing new challenges. Embracing change, even when it feels daunting, can lead to profound personal and professional development. Confidence is not about never feeling fear or doubt; it's about moving forward despite them. Remember, confidence is a powerful tool that can transform your life. It impacts not only how you view yourself but also how others perceive you. By choosing to wear your "confidence cap" each day, you empower yourself to face the world with courage and authenticity.
