By Sheila Olson
There are times in life when we find ourselves feeling less sure of ourselves and our situations than we would like. Fortunately, there are ways to remedy this. Nuts for Fashion outlines three areas to focus on as you strive to increase your confidence as a designer.
Health and Well-Being
The first step in feeling confident in your abilities is to feel good physically. If you know your body is capable of handling life’s daily challenges, then you are more likely to feel prepared to handle whatever comes up. Healthline advises making healthy eating a habit. Slowly swap unhealthy foods for more nutritious alternatives. If you don’t already do so, you need to start exercising. As with building a healthy diet, start out slowly.
Believe it or not, getting a pet can have several positive impacts on your health and well-being. For one, it can provide you with companionship and a sense of purpose. Caring for a pet can also help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. In addition, pets can encourage you to be more active, which can lead to improved cardiovascular health. When choosing a pet, it's important to do your research and choose an animal that is compatible with your lifestyle. Once you've found the perfect pet, you'll need to stock up on supplies. Reading online reviews can help you find trustworthy products for your new furry friend (click here if you’re looking for a good example). With a little planning and preparation, getting a pet can be a rewarding experience that comes with numerous benefits for your physical and mental health.
Social Life
Your support network is crucial for self-confidence. Everyone needs help sometimes, and it is good to know you have friends and family who are there for you. As with everything else in life, relationships need to be nurtured. Engage in fun activities with those you love. Play games, go out to eat or even take a trip together. When people get busy, time with friends is often the first area to be scaled back. This isolation, however, can have a negative impact on your confidence. Schedule time with friends, and take those commitments seriously.
If you feel like your social circle is too small, or if you are spending time with toxic individuals, work on making new friends. This can be tricky as an adult, but there are ways to do it. Ask your current friends for recommendations. Download a friendship app or join a local MeetUp.
Work and Finances
As a designer, finding yourself struggling to pay your bills and afford basic necessities can negatively impact your confidence. If you are in this situation, there are two ways to solve it: spend less or earn more. If you need to spend less, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests making a budget and sticking to it. This is easier said than done, but there are a variety of tools to help you. There are budgeting apps to help you track your spending, or you can keep track using an old-school spiral notebook. Refinancing your mortgage may help you retool your budget. By doing so, you may be able to lower your monthly payment or cash out equity to pay off other bills.
If you need to make more money, consider going back to college online to advance your education and improve your skills. Learning itself is good for your self-confidence, and the knowledge and skills you acquire can help you earn a promotion or find a new job. These programs provide flexibility so that you can further your education while still working and enjoying your family and social life.
Of course, one surefire way to increase your income is to start a business. Many individuals, including designers, work on a side business while also keeping their full-time or part-time job. This allows you to supplement your regular income with business income. The first step to launching a business is to research the steps it takes to do so – this ZenBusiness guide on how to start a company is a great starting point. Then you’ll want to create a business plan. This plan details the product or service you will sell, the structure of your company, and your financial projections. As you grow your brand, your profits should increase, helping you feel more confident in your entrepreneurial skills.
Self-confidence depends on a variety of factors. By focusing on your health, social life, your financial situation, and even starting your own business, you are covering the basics and building a foundation for greater confidence.