6 Tips And Strategies To Build Confidence

Midlife Matters Thought Leader: Julie DeLucca-Collins

It was the middle of January 2020, and I was getting ready to deliver a keynote at an educators’ conference in Atlanta.

Despite being very well-versed in the topic I was speaking on, I felt my palms growing damp with sweat. I looked around the room and wanted to find a friendly face. Sadly, all I saw were curious eyes looking impatient that we still had ten minutes before the start time. 

“You may be dealing with physical changes, emotional upheavals, and a sense that your best years are behind you.” 

I quickly checked with myself to ascertain why I was feeling nervous. 

Self-Confidence:

I took my small compact mirror from my briefcase where my conference notes were and realized as I reflected that having my 50th birthday looming on the horizon made my self-confidence shaky. 

I had felt the unavoidable dread of becoming one year older for the last few months. Unlike other birthdays, the big Five-Oh seemed like a huge milestone. 

What would it mean to be over half a century old? I knew that from what I had seen from my mom; it was a decline in health, independence, energy, and other not-so-appealing things. At that moment, I decided to stop dreading what lay ahead for me in the next few months and beyond. 

As a woman in midlife, it can be easy to feel like you’ve lost your footing. You may be dealing with physical changes, emotional upheavals, and a sense that your best years are behind you. But the truth is that midlife can be a time of incredible growth and empowerment if you tap into your inner strength and build your confidence. 

“Embrace your age and all you’ve learned, and use it to your advantage.”

That January day in 2020 created the foundation for me to enter midlife with the right mindset. It also helped me navigate the challenges of a global pandemic, being laid off from a successful career as a C-Level executive, and launching my own business.

6 Tips And Strategies To Build Confidence:

Here are six strategies I used to help you tap into your inner badass and live confidently.  

1. Embrace Your Age And Experience:

One of the biggest obstacles to confidence in midlife is the belief that you’re past your prime. But the truth is that you have a wealth of experience and wisdom that you can draw on to navigate the challenges of this stage of life. Embrace your age and all you’ve learned, and use it to your advantage.

2. Take Care Of Your Physical Health:

As we age, it’s natural for our bodies to change. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take steps to maintain our health and vitality. Eating a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep are all essential for feeling good in your skin.

3. Cultivate A Positive Mindset:

Our thoughts and attitudes can have a massive impact on our confidence levels. Make a conscious effort to focus on your life’s positive aspects and practice gratitude. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and avoid those who bring you down.

4. Set Goals And Work Towards Them:

Setting goals and working towards achieving them can give you a sense of purpose and direction. It can also boost confidence when you reach a goal you set for yourself.

5. Learn Something New:

Learning something new is a great way to stay engaged and sharpen your mind. It can also be a great confidence boost when you master something new.

“The people you surround yourself with can greatly impact your confidence levels.”

6. Surround Yourself With Supportive People:

Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and avoid those who bring you down. The people you surround yourself with can greatly impact your confidence levels.

Building Confidence As A Woman In Midlife:

I am a work in progress, and some of the things above are not something I claim to be perfect at doing. However, I celebrate every simple step and new habit I work at being consistent with daily. 

Building confidence as a woman in midlife is all about embracing the journey. Having the right tools to help you navigate these uncharted waters. Especially since we are not the midlife women our mothers were. We know that we have choices in defining this stage of life. 

Celebrating our age and experience, taking care of our physical and mental health, cultivating a positive mindset, setting goals and working towards them, learning something new, and surrounding ourselves with supportive people like our Kuel Life Community members. 

Confidence Can Be Developed:

Remember, confidence is not something you’re born with; it’s something you can develop and nurture over time. With the right mindset and strategies, you can tap into your inner strength and build the confidence you need to thrive in midlife and beyond. 

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