How to feel confident in your body and comfortable in your own skin
- Confidence is a key aspect of beauty, in the sense that people don’t notice imperfections when someone is confident about themselves
- We all have insecurities, but there are simple things we can do to aid acceptance of ourselves and own it
Being confident about yourself isn’t easy, but it is something you can learn. The way we perceive ourselves can be heavily influenced by other people’s opinions, what we see and read online, and what society deems to be “beautiful”.
But the truth is, confidence comes from within. If you can be learn to be kinder to yourself and champion your own version of beauty, you will be much happier.
One of the most important things to learn is how to accept what you can change about yourself, and what you cannot. You can change your hairstyle colour and your weight, but you cannot change the shape of your knees or your height. Knowing the difference will help you accept yourself.
You may have some insecurities about your body, but we have some tips on how to feel more confident.
Below are some insecurities that many people may struggle with. By making some simple changes to make you feel more confident about your external appearance, you will feel more positive on the inside, too. What to do if you’re insecure about your...
Hair
Is your hair just not doing what you want it to? Don’t be fooled by the luscious locks you may see on social media – plenty of that is due to extensions, hair dye and a whole lot of styling. It’s more important to find out how best to treat your own hair type, and focus on a healthy scalp and hair.
Experimenting with different hairstyles to suit your hair type and face shape will also make you feel more confident.
There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube – and remember, if you cut it too short, or dye it a colour that doesn’t work, it’ll grow out. It’s only hair.
Our guide to what causes acne and how you can treat it
Face
Not a fan of your features? Instead of focusing on the aspects you don’t like, appreciate what you do like and accentuate those things.
You can draw attention to your preferred facial features with light make-up or by wearing accessories that highlight them, such as glasses to draw focus to your eyes, or a necklace or chain to draw focus away from your forehead.
Your skin is your largest organ, so use the appropriate products for your skin type.
Skin
If you struggle with acne, scars or birthmarks, it’s crucial to remember that outward appearances don’t define us– we are more than what our skin looks like. Remember, too, that your skin is constantly changing. Acne is treatable with medications, scars will fade with time, and birthmarks make you unique!
Skin is our largest organ, and taking care of it means it will be healthy, which can also boost our confidence about how it looks, but that act of self care is also beneficial for us mentally. Apply sunscreen regularly, use gentle products suited for your skin type, and don’t forget to moisturise.
Body
Do you ever feel unhappy because you feel your ankles are too skinny, or your arms are too big? Instead of focusing on what a “perfect” body “should” look like, remember instead what it can do for you. If you can walk, dance, swim, carry things, or stretch, your body is doing what it should be!
Framing goals differently can help, too: rather than saying you want to lose weight or be more muscular, decide instead to be healthier and take small steps to incorporate those changes into your life.
Another tip is to dress for the body you have. Instead of wearing things that are too small or that hide your shape, choose outfits that make the most of your build. Knowing your clothes flatter your figure will help you walk taller and with more confidence.
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Smell
Is body odour an issue for you? It can definitely be embarrassing, but drinking lots of water, taking regular showers, using a good laundry detergent, and trying medicated deodorants can help combat unwanted smells. Ask a trusted friend for their opinion if this is something you’re concerned about.
If you’ve got that under control, consider adding scent. Try layering a scented body wash with a body lotion that has the same fragrance so the smell lasts longer. Avoid overloading strong perfumes, colognes or body sprays; one or two spritzes is enough. You can also spray your clothes so the scent won’t fade as quickly. And never use fragrance to cover up a body smell – address that issue first.