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.

Shuyu Peng

My confidence in my work has been like a fluctuating curve. When I first started exploring graphic design, I felt a sense of validation whenever I successfully created appealing color combinations or compelling visuals. At that time, I believed that the essence of design lay primarily in aesthetics. However, as my output increased, I inevitably hit creative plateaus. Seeing others’ work—especially projects with solid personal styles, deeper narratives, or meaningful backstories—often made me question my abilities. Read more>>

Edie Yang

I believe confidence and self-esteem are built through positive feedback, and the best way to receive positive feedback is by doing things you’re good at. That’s why self-awareness is so important—it’s about understanding your strengths and embracing them. For me, the journey to confidence started with getting to know myself better. When I was in school, I wasn’t one of those top students who excelled effortlessly in academics. I worked really hard just to get average grades, and for a while, I doubted myself. I wondered if I wasn’t smart enough or if success was out of reach for me. But then I started to realize something—I was good at things outside of traditional academics. I discovered a knack for marketing and designing, even though those weren’t subjects taught in school. That realization was life-changing for me. It taught me that just because my talents didn’t fit into a standard mold didn’t mean I didn’t have value. Read more>>

Mario Navasero

Confidence came graciously and self-esteem was developed. With being an artist or making art at an early age you just start to do stuff with a simple honest approach. When things start to click and make sense you start to find enjoyment and continue on. At some point a passion takes hold and desire pushing you more and more. So for myself that’s how confidence came about. As far as self-esteem, that came with how well I was functioning with it and life which is a very complex multifaceted thing. Support from family, friends and peers over time builds that for sure. Read more>>

Brent Ingram

Growing up as a very shy child, it took time. Years to get my self – esteem to where it is now, being in uncomfortable situations in life, forcing myself to be social. One of the best decisions I have made in life. Read more>>

Alecxa Masters

I had to hit rock bottom. By that I mean life happened, I ended up back under my parents roof and things were really changing for me. I’m not sure if it’s because I was really wanting something different so I kind of willed it to happen. Actually now that I think of it, this could have started years ago after my divorce and I had made a promise to myself to just be more self sufficient. Buying my first car, with no credit and worked hard to pay that thing off and even did that a year early! I wanted to get a home for my kids and I next but that kind of fell through on account of a plumbing issue. I just wanted to make sure that we would not feel that kind of vulnerability in life and they wouldn’t be taken from again. Of course plans don’t always go as we want and there always has to be bumps and maybe even mountains in them but I find if you really want something you figure it out. This year was rough but also the most healing and wonderful. Read more>>

Guybertho Clerger

For me, the foundation of confidence is knowledge. I realized that to achieve anything in life, you must first understand how it works. Without knowledge, doubt takes over. When you don’t master a skill or concept, it’s easy for others to make you question your abilities.

Once I understood this, I began a journey of self-discovery. I learned about who I am—my strengths, my weaknesses, and my potential. I educated myself on everything necessary to reach my goals and honed my professional skills to mastery. Read more>>