Discover why confidence is key and discover practical strategies, mindset tips and support to boost self-esteem and wellbeing.
What do women with resilience, self-belief and courage all have in common? The answer is confidence. When someone exudes a quiet sense of confidence it is both infectious and inspiring. It builds the foundation for success and helps you to overcome challenges, enhance wellbeing and strive for life goals.
Yet, many women lack confidence – and the sense of self-worth that accompanies it. This can have a negative effect on our mental health, leaving us feeling anxious and stressed, with low self-esteem and poor decision making.
So with International Women’s Day shining the spotlight on women’s health, we consider how we can use confidence building strategies in a holistic and achievable way. And examine how and why women’s confidence and self-care really is key when it comes to mental wellbeing.
Why Confidence is a Form of Self-Care
For a long time the line between confidence and arrogance has been blurred. To be confident, is not being arrogant. Confidence is a belief in yourself and your abilities – perhaps think of it like a protective shield. Giving you the strength to say no to situations that are not in your best interest. To set boundaries and rely on yourself instead of others for validation.
In this way confidence acts as a barrier to anxiety and stress. And it gives you the sense that you are in control of your life – no one else. This can result in mental, emotional and physical wellbeing as well as healthier relationships and personal growth.
Higher self-confidence is linked to better resilience, emotional stability and self-esteem for women.
Women’s Mental Health Australia found that about half of Australian women experience a mental health issue – with one quarter of women struggling with a severe mental health issue for the past three years. And the top trigger underlying women’s mental health issues was low self-esteem or confidence (50%). (1)
Common Barriers Women Face in Building Confidence
Traditionally women have been taught to be polite, not powerful – to wait their turn rather than be assertive. These traits have generally been the male domain. This is changing slowly, but there is still a long way to go.
Deeply entrenched views support men as the breadwinners and women as the caregivers, and although attitudes are shifting, women still do the majority of the domestic chores.
The European Working Conditions Survey shows that about 91 per cent of women with children spend at least an hour per day on housework compared to just 30 per cent of men with children. (2)
And these gender stereotypes are more pervasive than we realise. Over time societal expectations can erode a women’s confidence and expectations. It also feeds into imposter syndrome, which is a sense that we are “not good enough”, or will be “found out” and our successes are due to luck not talent.
7 Practical Ways to Build Confidence Every Day
The good news is, we can begin to build our confidence and mental wellbeing. Check out these 7 confidence building strategies, you can weave into your daily life.
#1: Lower your expectations – as women we tend to demand too much of ourselves, so we will continually feel as if we have failed. Reduce your to do list and be realistic with time management.
#2: Positive self-talk: Take pride in your achievements – celebrate the small wins as well as the big ones. Talk to yourself as you would a good friend, give yourself a pat on the back regularly for a job well done – even if it was making it to work on time!
#3: Supportive friends: Be selective with your friendships – spend time with people who build you up rather than put you down.
#4: Take baby steps: Remember, confidence is built gradually through consistent habits and self-reflection.
#5: Journalling: Spend time journalling your thoughts, if things haven’t gone to plan, then consider what you can learn from that experience. Write a gratitude diary or list three things you are grateful for each day.
#6: Set small, achievable goals: Don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself. If you are wanting to get fit, start out with a ten minute walk, instead of a long hike!
#7: Find your tribe. Connect with a community – this could be a walking group, yoga or art sessions. At Thrive Journey, we run weekly online and live classes, where you can connect with other women and work out at your own pace. Among the multiple weekly classes there are Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra sessions to help you focus on releasing stress and learn mindfulness and resilience techniques. Check out our membership programs here.
Lifestyle Habits That Support Self-Esteem
Make sure you are caring for yourself physically, mentally and energetically. Prioritise self-care and the foundations of health such as sleep, rest, physical activity and nutrition. Check out our blog on the eight pillars of health, for tips and advice.
Yoga is helpful, not just physically, but for its energetic, emotional and mental health benefits. Our Thrive Journey yoga teachers weave yogic philosophy into our online classes, so it is accessible and easy to apply to everyday life. Read this article for more on how yoga can help you to feel grounded, calm and strong.
Practice regular heart-opening yoga poses and yoga poses such as Wheel and Half Moon, and Standing Goddess – demonstrated here by our Thrive Journey yoga teacher, Sarah Manning. These poses will uplift and invite a sense of freedom, optimism and vitality into your life.
Bringing Confidence into Work and Social Life
Not only will confidence help boost your physical and mental wellbeing but it is a huge advantage in the workplace. Being confident means you trust in your ability. You are more likely to be assertive, take on new projects and set clear boundaries.
Researchers in the UK (3) discovered evidence of a confidence gap between men and women. In a 2024 study, they found that 32 per cent of women gave lack of confidence as a major obstacle to career prospects compared to 25 per cent of men.
Socially, confidence gives us the ability to chat comfortably with people, face our fears and challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zone.
Conclusion: Empower Yourself Through Confidence and Self-Care
To create confidence it is important to practise self-care. Taking positive steps to care for yourself physically, energetically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. And to give yourself time and space to follow your Dharma – your life’s passion and purpose.
International Women’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on women’s confidence and self-care. To celebrate yourself as a woman and to reflect on the progress you have made and feel empowered for the future.
Remember to start small, but think big! Don’t place pressure on yourself, but believe in who you are and what you can do. And know that the Thrive Journey team is here to support you wherever you are at.
References:
1: Women’s Mental Health Research: https://www.womensmentalhealthaustralia.org.au/2025-womens-mental-health-research#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThere%20is%20a%20dangerous%20assumption,in%20girls%20aged%2014%2D19
2: 2015 European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS): https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/toolkits-guides/gender-equality-index-2021-report/gender-differences-household-chores?language_content_entity=en
3: Career Development Institute (CDI): https://www.fenews.co.uk/fe-voices/confidence-gap-holds-women-back-new-cdi-research-reveals-hidden-career-barriers