Confidence is something that develops as we grow, as we experience life, falling in love, heartbreak and all the ups and downs. Some people are more confident than others, and some become more confident as time goes on. Wherever you fall in that, it's okay. I never used to be a confident person, I was shy, quiet and introverted and never had the confidence to do anything. I wouldn't say I'm completely confident now, but my confidence is much higher than it once was.

The heart of what I learned is that owning who you are is how you build confidence.

We're constantly told growing up to 'be ourselves', but in a world that also tells you to fit in, it can be challenging to live authentically and express your soul to a judgemental world.

How does owning who you are build confidence?

Confidence is learned. It is a skill like everything else, and the heart of it comes from falling in love with yourself. I speak about self-love a lot because by falling in love with your authentic self, you'll see the world in a brighter light, avoid comparison and feel more confident about being yourself.

Firstly, you need to lean in and figure out who is the authentic character you've been hiding? I think it's easier to follow along with a crowd than be the one to stand out. But your quirks are what makes people love and respect you because only you have them. Why would you want a friend/partner/work pal/family member who is all exactly the same? That would be boring.

Lean into your true self and talk about your passions, wear clothing you adore, stand up for what you believe in and ultimately, push yourself to take risks.

All of these things will help you build that confidence because you will be living a life that feels right to you. When we step away from who we are, we feel anxious and unworthy because we're trying to live up to what we think people will like.

If you spend all of your time learning how to fully express yourself rather than fit in, you'll feel more assured and confident and like you can follow your dreams.

Here's your reminder: owning who you are is the biggest gift you can give yourself.

The world deserves to see your heart, your kindness, your unique talent and that amazing smile.

I hope you enjoyed this post. How have you become more confident?

Thank you for reading <3