BoldJourney is all about helping our audience and community level up by learning from the experiences of others. One of the most important topics we’ve been focused on sharing insights and lessons on is confidence building and self-esteem. Below, you’ll find some brilliant entrepreneurs and creatives sharing their perspectives and advice.
Krista Norris
Without a doubt leveling up takes a level of self-confidence. Before I began my career in mental health and wellness, I understood that having a healthy level of self-confidence was essential to surviving in this world. I am a Los Angeles native and have not only witnessed but endured life changing difficulties. Read more>>
Sarah Kimball
Like many women, I grew up struggling with confidence and self-esteem, especially as it related to my body image. Images of models, celebrities, and now influencers function as ideals of what the “perfect body” should look like. I always felt overwhelmed looking at these images and thinking of the beauty standards I could not attain. Read more>>
Nikki Ball
My confidence and self-esteem have really evolved through the years with various experiences and practices. Firstly, I prioritize self-care and personal development. Taking time for yoga, meditation, and regular exercise helps me maintain a healthy mindset and manage stress effectively. Read more>>
Aderimike (Rimi) Lala
My confidence and self-esteem started developing when I was younger. Interestingly, I was the shy and more introverted child growing up but I knew I could do anything I set my mind to due to my upbringing. My parents brought me up to believe I could achieve anything in the world, a President of a Country, and CEO of my company, name it! Read more>>
Aidai Garnelo
I think my confidence and self-esteem comes from all that I have accomplished in my career and in my personal life. I have overcome stigmas and prejudice views growing up as a brown girl in a single-parent home. That, in itself, made me want to do better and prove to myself that I am capable. And I think I’ve done a pretty good job about it. Read more>>
Nikki Cade
If there is a big emotion I’m seeking, such as being brave, feeling good about myself, or showing up confidently, I find it helpful to practice first. Growing up I definitely underestimated the importance of practice, yet I find it the key to unlocking so much potential. Read more>>
Vicente Perdomo
I think confidence comes ultimately from making mistakes. The times I have felt the most confident is when I know I am sharing something of value with someone and that usually comes from having learned from a mistake. But also when experience isn’t there and you need to be confident, improv class helps a lot, you learn how to be quick in your feet. Read more>>
Naomi Kealy
Confidence isn’t an innate trait. Confidence comes from doing hard things. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. The key is embracing that discomfort and heading directly into it. Prove to yourself that you can do hard things and confidence will follow. Read more>>
Stephanie Richardson
Growing up, my mother was the ultimate example of self-confidence. She taught me that being afraid to fail is never a reason not to try, and thanks to her I developed a great confidence in myself and willingness to try new things. However, that can be a bit of a fault going into something new–You don’t realize how much you don’t know. Read more>>
Teresa Willis
Thankfully, I had a really good mom who taught me to love myself. My mother is so accepting of everything I am and loves me unconditionally. Of course there were consequences for bad behavior but it was about behavior not who I was or whether I deserved love. I also have a big personality and some of it was my personality to be big and bold. Read more>>
Kateryna Metelytsia
I haven’t always been like this. However, at one point, I made the decision to adopt a different attitude towards myself. And I started with myself. I demanded the best treatment from myself. So, everything was so very simple, but oh Gods, how long it took me to get to this point. I simply reassessed what I already possessed. Read more>>
Rippin Sindher
Growing up in the small farm town of Selma meant having to think outside of the box from a young age and be integrated in my community. I was raised by hard-working immigrant parents and they set the standard for discipline and tenacity, which are the backbone of confidence. The ability to never give up despite limited resources ultimatley elevated me into spaces of creativity and free thought. Read more>>
Erica Moore
Developing Discipline – starting with setting clear and achievable goals. I established a routine in my daily life, it help build consistency, a key aspect of discipline. I started to focus more on habits that aligned with my goals, it made discipline a natural part of my routine – like reading and meditation. Read more>>
René Shoemaker
I’m proud to say my confidence is solid. It wasn’t always that way, though! I’ve constantly pushed myself (sometimes actually backing out of the scary situation before making the dreaded move). I sorta rehearse out loud what I am going to say; I do a little role play, and then I make the move. Read more>>
Alexandria Singleton-Smith
My confidence and self-esteem evolved through a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. I cultivated these qualities by embracing challenges, setting and achieving goals, and learning from both successes and failures. Seeking guidance from mentors and supportive individuals played a significant role in building my confidence, as did practicing self-compassion and acknowledging my strengths. Read more>>
Danny Lugo
Developing confidence and self-esteem was a intense & long journey for me. One that looks different for every individual on that path of self mastery. Although i believe we never stop growing, I developed my confidence and self-esteem through sheer will power, faith and opportunities with individuals of people who surrounded me with love patients opportunities for growth. Read more>>
Megan Bouman
Back when I first started writing songs, I could only think about pleasing whoever I was writing for–my perceived audience, I’ll call them. This led me to write songs that were full of fear that they wouldn’t be received the way I was hoping they would be, songs that didn’t mean as much to me personally, songs that felt very surface-level and cowardly in their lyrics. Read more>>
Kyara Ofuani Esq
Developing confidence, self-esteem, self-love, and discipline is a journey that requires introspection, effort, and a commitment to personal growth. Here are some steps I took to cultivate these qualities in my life: 1. **Self-Reflection**: Take time to reflect on your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. Understand your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Journaling, meditation, or contemplative practices can help you gain insights into your inner world. Read more>>
Brad Davis
By immersing myself in stressful professional situations. Read more>>
Martha Trachtenberg
I had to stop and really think about this, and what I realized is that the base of my confidence came from my mother, who was one hell of a musician. She taught me to play piano and sang with me all the time when I was a kid. Read more>>
Tierra Thomas
I developed my confidence and self-esteem by staying true to myself and focusing on my goals. As well my relationship with God and knowing that I was wonderfully made. As a passionate creative I often pour my all into projects and expressing myself fully. Growing up I was often teased about my complexion, hair, or expressions. Read more>>
Krystyna Walters
A wise woman once told me self-esteem comes from esteemable acts. That resonated. For me, it wasn’t about talking positively to myself or affirming myself, although I read and applied Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” and did some positive affirming as well. Read more>>
Dena Patton
My journey of confidence and self-esteem has been a lifelong journey. I had many things in my childhood that derailed my confidence and self-esteem. They range from divorced parents in 1st grade, to failing second grade, to recovering from a major accident in 7th grade and losing my best friend to a heart ailment in eighth grade only added to my struggle. Read more>>
Amanda Vicinelly
When I was a little girl, my grandmother was one of my biggest fans. She asked what I wanted to be when I grow up and replied, “it starts with an R”. Puzzled, she asked, “what?”, “an Rtist”! From that day on we knew I was not going to be a speller! Read more>>
Rene Mycorn
From the first kick of a soccer ball to the grand slam in the softball game, sports have been more than just a pastime for me—they’ve been a crucible for personal growth and self-discovery. As a child, I found solace and excitement in the world of sports, where the thrill of competition and the camaraderie of being on a team ignited a flame within me. Read more>>
Sidney Nicole Rogers
Picture this – it’s the year 2000 in Virginia. A bubbly, four year old bursting with enthusiasm and self assurance stands on top of a table yelling at her parents that she’s moving to California to become an actress! Fast forward, and that same little girl has made quite the portfolio for herself and her small town agency refers her to a top modeling agency in New York. Read more>>
Rachael Nerney
I have found that saying yes before I am ready is the best way for me to push myself. The first time I did this was when I moved from New Hampshire to Georgia to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. It was far from home and I didn’t know anyone. I was terrified but knew I wanted to take the risk. After college, I exhibited in an art gallery before I felt like I was ready. Read more>>
Alena Kozhevnikova
I’ve found that my confidence and self-esteem have grown tremendously through continuous learning and exploration. Whether it’s mastering a new swing in tennis, diving into paddle, taking Spanish classes, or honing negotiation skills at Harvard Business School, each new challenge has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to discover more about myself. Read more>>
Angelique Hudson
I want to begin with stating it wasn’t something I always had . I didn’t reach full confidence or full self esteem until my relationship with God started getting stronger . The more I studied His word the more I was reminded that God created me in His image and in His likeness. Nobody else gets a say in my beauty , not even me. Read more>>
Qing Cedar
I’m kind to myself. The things I say to myself are way more powerful than you might think. I accept who I am. I get moving and stay active. Welcome mistakes as part of growth. I remember to forgive myself often. I surround myself with supportive people like my boss, Hon. Kenneth Kofi Anim who inspires me a lot. I focus on what I can change. And do what makes me happy. Read more>>
Otis Bartlett
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through a combination of personal growth, perseverance, and self-reflection. I was not always confident, especially when entering the competitive world of bodybuilding where judgment and criticism are inevitable. However, I realized that how I handled that scrutiny truly defined my mental health. Read more>>
Megan Bouman
Back when I first started writing songs, I could only think about pleasing whoever I was writing for–my perceived audience, I’ll call them. This led me to write songs that were full of fear that they wouldn’t be received the way I was hoping they would be, songs that didn’t mean as much to me personally, songs that felt very surface-level and cowardly in their lyrics. Read more>>
Sophia DeJesus-Sabella
Developing my confidence, self-esteem, and most importantly self-respect is a work in progress. Growing up as an intersex girl with visible differences from other girls my age, I spent so much of my life wishing I were invisible or fundamentally different. Read more>>
Chelsea Greer
Don’t we all wish that we could be born with confidence and self-esteem? I truly don’t remember a time that I didn’t feel naturally confident, not because I was born this way, but because it was instilled from birth. Growing up, my parents consistently encouraged me to believe in myself and taught me that I could do anything I set my mind to. Read more>>
