With the entire world at our fingertips, it can be difficult to grow the self-confidence required to avoid comparing yourself to others.

Nevertheless, being confident is a skill that everyone should practice, no matter what point in their life they find themselves. Confidence changes how you interact with others, how others treat you, and how you are perceived, so if you want to become more confident, here are some tips:

– Be kind to yourself and remember practice makes perfect

Confidence isn’t born overnight – it is an attitude that is practiced and repeated until the habit sets in. For this reason, it is important to get your reps in and practice being confident! No matter where you start, the first step is to try.

– Become more self-aware and mindful

Becoming confident requires you to be aware of who you are – the real you. This includes your morals and interests, but also how you respond to situations and handle your emotions. You don’t have to be ashamed of how you feel, but by bringing awareness to these emotions, you can reshape your mindset to feel more accepting and confident in yourself.

– Acknowledge how you communicate with others based on your mood

Many people’s confidence issues stem from anxiety during social situations, and though we can’t control people around us, we can shape our own behaviors. It is beneficial to acknowledge how you tend to communicate with others when you feel happy, sad, scared, or excited. By bringing awareness to these moods, you can accept yourself for who you are and focus on trying to be the best version of yourself.

– Unfollow and unfriend

Too many people are addicted to their social media feeds, and too often the content on their feeds is the root of their confidence problems. Don’t be afraid to unfollow and unfriend anyone on your social media who brings you down. Whether it is an unrealistic model, flashy celebrity, or a “popular” person from high school, if it doesn’t make you feel better or improve your life at all, erase them from your consciousness.

– Engage in positive self-talk

The negative voice in our head that causes us to doubt ourselves and fear can be silenced. The way we think about ourselves largely influences how confident we feel, so by practicing positive self-talk, we can reframe our subconscious to be supportive as we go about our day. A great way to practice positive self-talk is to use affirmations. Try writing in a journal or looking in the mirror and speaking positive affirmations and repeating the process – eventually, you will start to believe it.

– Practice confidence around people you trust

Different people require different situations to feel comfortable and safe – for example, you may think an introvert is shy when really, they prefer to be soft-spoken in public places. When you are getting started on your confidence-building journey, practicing around people you trust is a great place to start. You will feel supported by your social network and the practice will help you replicate these confident actions when you are with less trusting people.

– Get comfortable being uncomfortable

Becoming a more self-confident person takes time, so it is okay to feel afraid or uncomfortable as long as you are moving forward. In fact, you should get comfortable being uncomfortable. Practice talking to strangers, hold the door open for people, and practice general decency. The more you practice these activities, the less scary they become.

– Share your experiences with others

Humans are social creatures, so talking and sharing with others about your life is a great way to connect with people and be reminded that you are not alone. When you are honest about your journey and are authentic about what you are trying to do, you can not only practice feeling confident despite their reactions, but you can also inspire others to do the same.

Confidence is built through mindfulness, practice, and determination. You can break out of your shell and become the person you’ve always wanted to be when you stay true to yourself and don’t let other people’s opinions affect you. For more tips on building self-confidence and becoming your best self, check out Outrun Gravity today!