Ways of overcoming low-self confidence

Insecurity is really debilitating. Characterized by the thought that you just aren’t good enough, it can completely take over your life. You feel worthless, and you stop taking risks.
And the problem is that it’s so easy to get locked into a viscous cycle where negativity starts to breed more negativity. With no easy way out, you miss out on many opportunities.
Fortunately, confidence isn’t the sole reserve of a few naturally confident people.
Are you struggling with insecurity and you don’t know how to overcome it, then follow these tips I believe it would go a long way to help.

1. Be mindful.
   We can’t change something if we don’t recognize that there is something to change. By simply becoming aware of our negative self-talk, we begin to distance ourselves from the feelings it brings up. This enables us to identify with them less. Without this awareness, we can easily fall into the trap of believing our self-limiting talk. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that — thoughts.
   As soon as you find yourself going down the path of self-criticism, gently note what is happening, be curious about it, and remind yourself, “These are thoughts, not facts.”

2. Change the story.
   We all have a narrative or a story we’ve created about ourselves that shapes our self-perceptions, upon which our core self-image is based. If we want to change that story, we have to understand where it came from and where we received the messages we tell ourselves. Whose voices are we internalizing?

3. Stand in front your mirror and appreciate yourself for 2 minutes
   Studies have shown that appreciating oneself in front of a mirror makes a huge difference. Here’s what you would do. Ask. Yourself questions like this “what am I really good at” then appreciate yourself for those good attributes. Do this daily and you would notice a difference.

4. Try and be kinder towards people around you and those you are in relationship with

5. Step out of your comfort zone: Try doing something you have not done before. When you challenge yourself in big or small way, your opinion about yourself changes. You may not have done whatever you did in a spectacular or great way but you at least tried instead of sitting on your hands and doing nothing.

6. Do not compare yourself with others: When you compare yourself with other, you are doing harm to yourself. The fact is that there’s always someone who’s better than you at something in this world and so comparison is destructive rather compare yourself with yourself.

7. Exercise: Studies have shown that exercise boosts self-confidence and improves mental health