Rediscover your confidence

You're not alone if you've found your sizzle is a little more fizzle these days. Here's how to give yourself a boost.

- JO HARTLEY

Like running water, good friends, and enough milk in the fridge, self-confidence is one of those things you take for granted until it's gone. At which point, it can quickly and negatively impact your lifestyle and health. “We are talking about self-esteem when talking about self-confidence. This is knowing that we are enough, irrespective of whatever anyone else says of thinks of us,” says Diane Young, a psychotherapist, and addiction and trauma specialist at South Pacific Private. As you slowly emerge from the past two years, with many of us having experienced isolation, increased domestic pressures, and even job loss, you may notice your appetite for moving outside your comfort zone has diminished. Or that you're overthinking everything. Or you just can't shake the 'blah' feeling. These are all signs of confidence that has taken a hit. “Our inner thoughts about ourselves deeply impact our physical and emotional wellbeing,” notes Diane. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to get your mojo back. And here's why it's worth the effort: Confidence doesn't just make you feel all warm and fuzzy ... it also allows you to take the risks necessary to make tangible improvements in your life. So c'mon, spread your wings again ... or at the very least, flutter them a little.

Reconnect with others

It's the chicken and the egg - we need meaningful connections to have confidence, and yet we need the confidence to go out and connect meaningfully with people.

“Connection plays a huge role in mental health and developing confidence,” says psychologist David Godden. “As humans, we're social, not solitary creatures. We need to have a purpose, and part of that is having places to be and people to see.”