Confidence and Self Esteem

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

On this page we cover the following:

1. What is confidence and self-esteem?
2. Tips to boost confidence and self esteem
3. Social media and self esteem
4. How can I appear more confident?
5. Help

What is confidence and self esteem?

Confidence and self-esteem play an important part in how happy we feel about ourselves, and our self worth.

If you have low self-esteem and lack confidence in yourself, it can affect other areas of your life.

Watch this video ‘Confidence And Self-Esteem’. It has practical tips to help you celebrate your uniqueness and be more confident.

To boost your confidence and self-esteem 

• Find opportunities to meet and connect with people.
• Write down things you like about yourself – qualities that others say they like about you. Keep reminding yourself of these things.
• Find an activity or club to join or try a new sport or hobby to find where you shine.
• Surround yourself with positive quotes and read them often.
• Smile at yourself in the mirror. Try to be your own best friend.
• Feel better about yourself by helping others – try volunteering.
• Take a break from social media for a week.

@youngmindsuk

A little reminder for you 💛 #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #BeProud #ForYouPage

♬ Game Over! – Harris Cole

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken!

Social media influences our self-esteem

Watch this video ‘Social Media and Teenage Self-Esteem’ for tips on how to use social media and not let it lower your self-esteem.

Podcast:

Suffolk Children and Families Participation Group (Particip8), have a series of the Mental Health and You podcast. Particip8 is a group of young people who discuss their personal experiences of social media, Social media and mental health – YouTube

Do you know?

Movement is a great way to feel more confident and it's proven to make you feel good!

Read more about the 'Mind and Movement' connection.

How can I appear confident in front of others?

Act like you’re confident – acting like you’re confident can actually make you feel confident.

• Stay positive – be kind to yourself.
• Act like you’re confident – acting like you’re confident can actually make you feel confident.
• Try doing something new (if it’s not risky or bad for you).
• Don’t take things too seriously – confident people are able to laugh at themselves.
• Be decisive – confident people are good at making decisions.
• Keep learning – knowledge gives you power to talk the talk.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – we all do it. It’s how we learn.

Where can I get support?

If you feel like you could do with some support to improve your confidence and self-esteem, you can talk to:

• Kooth – peer support and online chat service for young people.
• Young Minds – Boost your self-esteem advice
• Suffolk Young People’s Health Project 4YP – To speak to a youth worker.