The famous Dr. Seuss so eloquently once said, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” And while Dr. Seuss was a children’s author, he was surely on to something when he said these insightful words.
What makes someone confident? Is it the way in which they present themselves, how they talk, dress, act? Is it their actions and their extensive decision making in their everyday lives? Whether we are conscious of it or not, we, as individuals, have a purpose here on earth to make our mark in some way or another. Some people choose to be a follower within a herd, while others choose to make their own way.
In my last article, I talked about the importance of creating and sustaining meaningful relationships with the people in your life. However, it is of equal importance to also be at peace with yourself and have the confidence to stray from things in your life that no longer serve you. The media, our friends, family, and other influencers have instilled in young women this idea of “needing” something else in order to complete our lives. Whether that be a significant other, a friend group, a certain body type, or even a desirable bank account balance, none of these factors make us who we are- we are responsible for feeding our minds and bodies the necessary nutrients to create a prosperous garden full of innovation, success, and abundance within ourselves. Being okay with being alone is one of life’s most valuable lessons. In fact, it can be quite invigorating and powerful to feel as though you can conquer any situation based solely on the fact that you are you- a strong, wise, and self-sufficient woman who can carry on through life’s obstacles with the utmost grace.
Granted, it can be difficult at times to remain confident and self-assured. However, I have learned that a shortcut to having confidence, is to first fake confidence. And while that seems unconventional, it truly does work. If you pretend to be confident on the exterior, even if you don’t feel that way inside, it would be very difficult for someone to detect that you are faking anything at all. Once you radiate what it is that you want to be, eventually you will just be.
Once you feel that spark of confidence and truly believe that you are capable of so much more than you had ever imagined, you will attract the right people and opportunities into your life. Any other outside influences that become a part of your life will be merely an asset, not the completion, of your overall self-worth. Recognizing who you are and what you have accomplished and, in turn, having trust within yourself to go after what it is you want is the ultimate victory. As Helen Keller once said, “Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.”