Sometimes when we’re feeling low, we beat ourselves up even more by telling ourselves that we shouldn’t feel this way. I want to remind you that everyone feels negative about themselves at some point in life; the key is to avoid letting it eat you alive.
Instead, face the fact that you’re feeling bad about yourself. Then combat that feeling by focusing on the many successes you’ve had so far in life. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re a mom to at least one amazing kid who you’ve raised. I consider that cause enough for celebration.
However, if you’re still struggling to focus on anything positive about yourself, here are some tried and true strategies for increasing your confidence:
Take on a new hobby or learn a new skill. Nothing is as magical for your confidence as conquering a challenge, so why not dive into a new hobby and learn a new skill? If you can master it, you’ll have that amazing feeling that there’s nothing you can’t do if you really try. There are countless options out there, so find something new that’ll challenge you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Set (and stick with) small, attainable goals. Doing this will definitely help increase your confidence. As your confidence grows, you’ll soon find yourself setting (and then achieving) even larger goals. This will have the effect of boosting your confidence even more. It’s a rewarding cycle that starts with meeting those small, attainable goals you’ve set for yourself.
Focus on the thing that makes you unique. Being a mother is truly a privilege, but we all sometimes feel like we’ve lost our identity somewhere along this long and winding parenting journey. I recommend trying to reconnect with what makes you an individual. Celebrate who you are and what you do, and then seek out ways to further enhance your individuality.
Make time to talk with your kids. As you’ve noticed, I’m a huge fan of moms spending quality time with kids. Use this time to ask your kid questions. These conversations with your kid will confirm that you are indeed doing a wonderful job as a mother, and as a person, in general. An added benefit is that these chats will strengthen your mom-kid relationship. That’s a legit win-win in my book.
The Music Mom: Eileen Carey 