Being a teenager can be challenging.
Teenagers are confronted with complex issues, and learning how to overcome them can tamper with their self-confidence.
According to Reachout, it is estimated that up to half of adolescents will struggle with low confidence levels during their early teenage years.
What is self-confidence?
Self-confidence is the belief of trust in your abilities, qualities, and judgment. Self-confidence is believing in yourself. Having faith in yourself to be what you aspire to become.
Every teenager should develop self-confidence. This is important because self-confidence will show in your dealings with people, in your school performance and anywhere else you find yourself.
If you are a teenager battling low self-confidence, don't beat yourself up. You can build this. It usually takes 8-12 weeks to make a habit, and all you have to do is take it one day at a time.
Here are some helpful things to do to build your self-confidence as a teen.
5 ways to develop self-confidence
1. Practise positive self-talk
Positive self-talk simply means talking positively about yourself. It is all about saying kind words to ourselves.
Positive self-talk can help reduce stress, and anxiety and certainly boost your self-confidence.
Here's what you should do; when those creeping little negative thoughts get into your head, change them to positive ones.
Form a habit of saying positive affirmations every day, preferably in the early mornings.
Here are some examples:
I am perfect just the way I am
I am enough
I stand up for what I believe in
I have courage and confidence
I can control what I believe in
I am open and ready to learn
I only compare myself to myself
Today is going to be an awesome day
I believe in myself and my abilities
My mistakes help me learn and grow.
2. Associate with those that treat you well
Developing your self-confidence also involves associating with people that treat you well and make you feel better about yourself.
Confident people understand when to leave anything that makes them feel bad including relationships.
You can't continue being in the company of those that look down on you, talk down on your achievements and expect your confidence to remain intact. Instead of boosting your confidence, it reduces it to a minimum. Confident people don't stay around
When you realize that your association brings you down instead of bringing you up, you either reduce your contact with such people or cut them off completely.
3. Avoid comparing yourself to others
Everyone is guilty of comparison.
At some point, we have wanted to either feel like we should act, dress, or behave like someone else.
Be aware that too much comparison can lead to unhappiness and low self-confidence. When you constantly compare yourself to others, you are prone to negative thoughts.
To build your self-confidence, you have to stop comparing yourself with others. Focus on being better, and teach your mind to look away from comparisons.
4. Focus on your strengths
When you focus on too many things, you will not attain your best results. When this happens, you feel like you aren’t good enough or doing enough and this can tamper with your self-confidence.
Stop focusing on your weaknesses and focus on your strengths. Focus on what you know you do best. Doing this will help you do the best work and achieve the best results.
When you focus more on your strengths, you become more confident, energetic, and happy.
5. Help people
There’s a positive feeling you get when you help someone, especially strangers. These positive feeling impacts your self-image thereby building your self-confidence.
It costs nothing to show kindness. Give a lending hand to those in need. You can also be a volunteer for an organization.
There are huge rewards attached when you are a blessing to people.
Let's recap
Developing self-confidence helps tremendously increase your self-worth, reduce anxiety, and have healthier relationships.
5 ways to develop your self-confidence:
Practice positive self-talk
Associate with those that treat you well
Avoid comparing yourself to others
Focus on your strengths
Help people especially strangers
Cheers to your growth!