As Gloria Steinem wrote, 'Self esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it.' My best advice on building yours, plus the books, podcasts & practices that can help.
Thank you for such an honest and thoughtful piece. I agreed that confidence is something that needs to be consistently cultivated. And I love your prompts, I’ll be taking them into a writers hour soon. Thank you for the recommendations too!
Never have I wished for a highlight feature so badly! I also wonder how confidence and fear play into each other, I’ve always thought I was full of fears but now I can see a nice mix of low confidence in there too. Excited to dive into some of the suggested readings!
“Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness-I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.”
Oh I loved this. Francesca, you are such a good writer. You write with confidence and humility and it’s a joy to read. I’m reading this listening to birdsong and drinking coffee on my day off in a little town in Texas. Confidence to me is feeling rested and thriving in my routine, free to be myself in my best thrifted outfit on a good hair day. That’s this week anyway! Gracias por compartir ✨
Very good piece. For years I have suffered (not the best word I know) from low self-esteem which has now become zero self-esteem. I've stopped thinking about 'doing the things I love' fishing, golf, pub suppers etc) because they are not possible now. So I do still try to do small things each day and yes I do have a list on my phone! It's a vicious circle though and I'm in retreat from friends until I can feel up to, well, being friendly again! But you're right it's certainly small steps. Thank you for the very good read..
Thank you Francesca, so much of the resonates with me. You comment about actions and repeating is so true in relation to so many aspects of our lives. But I am the world’s worst procrastinator and that is something I need to beat
I think there is often a myth that as you grow older you confidence and self esteem grow, and maybe tails off a bit as you get ‘old’. I wish it was so easy. The one thing have learnt is that often the most confident people on the outside are not on the inside.
When I am most confident? That’s a difficult one, I do recognise when my ‘professional’ mask switches on, it is almost like a costume that makes me feel different, I know about what I am talking about, even if now I’ve retired. I also feel confident talking with people I trust, they are all very different.
Thank you for such an honest and thoughtful piece. I agreed that confidence is something that needs to be consistently cultivated. And I love your prompts, I’ll be taking them into a writers hour soon. Thank you for the recommendations too!
Never have I wished for a highlight feature so badly! I also wonder how confidence and fear play into each other, I’ve always thought I was full of fears but now I can see a nice mix of low confidence in there too. Excited to dive into some of the suggested readings!
Loved this - great advice, especially the confidence list! Started scribbling mine down immediately and even the act of doing so was a little boost 🔥
“Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness-I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.”
Aaron Copland
Oh I loved this. Francesca, you are such a good writer. You write with confidence and humility and it’s a joy to read. I’m reading this listening to birdsong and drinking coffee on my day off in a little town in Texas. Confidence to me is feeling rested and thriving in my routine, free to be myself in my best thrifted outfit on a good hair day. That’s this week anyway! Gracias por compartir ✨
Very good piece. For years I have suffered (not the best word I know) from low self-esteem which has now become zero self-esteem. I've stopped thinking about 'doing the things I love' fishing, golf, pub suppers etc) because they are not possible now. So I do still try to do small things each day and yes I do have a list on my phone! It's a vicious circle though and I'm in retreat from friends until I can feel up to, well, being friendly again! But you're right it's certainly small steps. Thank you for the very good read..
Such an interesting topic and great tips- thank you
Thank you Francesca, so much of the resonates with me. You comment about actions and repeating is so true in relation to so many aspects of our lives. But I am the world’s worst procrastinator and that is something I need to beat
I think there is often a myth that as you grow older you confidence and self esteem grow, and maybe tails off a bit as you get ‘old’. I wish it was so easy. The one thing have learnt is that often the most confident people on the outside are not on the inside.
When I am most confident? That’s a difficult one, I do recognise when my ‘professional’ mask switches on, it is almost like a costume that makes me feel different, I know about what I am talking about, even if now I’ve retired. I also feel confident talking with people I trust, they are all very different.