Turned forty? We’ve put together some ways to boost your confidence. Read on!
Congratulations on hitting the big “four-oh”!
The chances are that you’ve loved, lost, made mistakes, had successes, suffered failures, and learned some lessons along the way.
That’s what life is all about – navigating through it in your own way and finding out who you are.
But even with a shedload of life experience behind you, you might feel like you’re lacking the confidence and self-esteem you need to live life to the full and do the things you want to do.
Whatever you’ve got planned, whether you’re getting married, moving, climbing the career ladder or growing your family, the more comfortable you feel, the better your life will be.
Confidence helps to broaden your horizons, unlock doors, and ensure you’re giving every day 100%.
Though we can’t offer you a personal counselling session, we can give you some food for thought and some ideas on boosting your confidence as you enter into your forties…
Make a list of your achievements
It’s far too easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day drama and disconnect from who you are and what you’ve accomplished to date. Take a step back and make a list of some of your biggest – shout about yourself and be proud of everything you’ve achieved so far. You rock!
Have a makeover
Treat yourself to some new makeup, a new haircut and experiment with your look to boost your confidence.
There’s no better way to boost your confidence than to try out a new style and express yourself in a whole new way, so show yourself some self-care and you’ll blossom.
Wear what you want to wear
Stop wearing clothes that are on-trend to impress others, and buy items that make you feel good and suit your personality. It’s liberating to restock your wardrobe with pieces you’ve always wanted to wear but haven’t had the confidence; give it a go and you’ll feel more ‘you’.
Stay away from negativity
According to a recent study, negative thoughts cause us to age faster, so stay away from those negative and toxic friends and reassess who you’re hanging around with. Focus on the positives in life and use yoga and meditation to tackle any of your negative thought patterns.
Read
Put down your screens and turn to a good, old-fashioned book (or audiobook!) once in a while.
Autobiographies are a great way to get to know some of your favourite stars and see how they overcame challenges in their life, and give you some tips on living yours to the full.
Get in shape
It’s natural to want to relax in front of the TV after a hard day’s work, but if you head to the park, the gym, or walk your dog, you’ll release beta-endorphins, which are known to boost your confidence, lower stress and anxiety and increase feelings of wellbeing. Make exercise part of your lifestyle and you’ll not only look better, but you’ll feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.
Learn from others
Want to climb the career ladder? Have conversations with people in senior positions so you can learn from them and gain insights into moving up to the next level. Attend workshops, read blogs, and build relationships from mentors and people who can make a real difference.
Consider mentoring
On the same note, consider mentoring someone at work. Not only will they appreciate your perspective on the job, but you’ll be helping younger talent improve and impart some of your wisdom. It’s a great way to boost your confidence and allows you to put your expertise to the test.
Treat your body well
Say goodbye to those weekend wine binges and fast food and start treating your body well.
Even if you’ve got a fast metabolism and your lifestyle isn’t impacting your waistline just yet, the chances are that it is impacting your mental health and your self-confidence. Switch to a healthy, balanced diet, experiment with recipes and food, and you’ll feel better in no time.
Turn back the clock
It’s natural to feel down when you hit forty, especially if your face is showing signs of ageing and you’re not getting the same attention from the opposite sex as you did in your twenties.
Though it’s impossible to physically turn back the clock, you can give your skin some TLC and appear more youthful with the Oralift natural facial rejuvenation device, available here.
Manage your money
Don’t bury your head in the sand about your finances. The better the grip you have over your money, the more confident you’ll feel as you head towards retirement, and the more planning you can do to ensure a comfortable life. Speak with a financial advisor and make sure the figures add up, making changes to your lifestyle where necessary to prepare for the future.
Don’t stop learning
Don’t give up on your interests because you’re getting older – go the opposite way and hone in on things you’re passionate about. We have access to more information than ever before, so subscribe to magazines, podcasts, YouTube channels and blogs and never stop learning.
Accept your flaws
The sooner you accept yourself – the good, the bad, and the ugly – the sooner you’ll be able to appreciate yourself for who you are, and make more positive life decisions. It’s not the end of the world if you have a stomach scar – learn to love it and embrace your imperfections.
Forget about the past
You can only learn from the past – you can’t change it! Rather than rehashing your mistakes and dragging yourself down a dark path, make peace with the old you and move forward.
It is better to forgive and forget than hold onto painful memories; focus on making new ones.
Start dating again
If you’re single, put yourself back on the dating scene in your 40s. Once you have restocked your wardrobe and set up a profile on Match.com or Tinder, say “yes” to those dates and see where it gets you. There’s nothing like some male attention to give you a confidence boost!
Have big dreams
Life begins at forty. Allow yourself to dream big and consider creating a to-do or bucket list, setting yourself challenges for the decade ahead. Some can be reasonable (visit Australia) and others can be pipe dreams that may never happen (think: marrying George Clooney!).
Rip off the labels
The chances are that you’ve gone through life being labelled, or labelling yourself.
Whether it’s ‘mum,’ ‘wife’, ‘assistant’, or ‘woman,’ rip off those labels and associated preconceptions and reinvent yourself.
Mums can walk the catwalk. Wives can be CEOs. Assistants can be promoted. Women can do everything men can do. Set a goal and be who you want to be.
Learn to say no
If you’re a people pleaser or insecure, it’s easy to say ‘yes’ when you don’t want to, putting yourself in uncomfortable situations or wasting your time helping people who don’t really care about you.
Make an effort to say ‘no’ when you don’t want to do something, whether that’s at work, with family, or with friends, and don’t feel guilty for turning something down.
Put yourself first
On the same note, learn to put yourself first. That might mean upsetting others or missing out on social events, but you should never feel like you have to do things for other people.
Set aside an hour every week where you can indulge in some “me time,” whether that’s having a relaxing bath, going for a walk, or hitting the high street for some retail therapy.
Imagine your future self
If you’re not where you want to be right now, whether that’s physically, mentally, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, put yourself in the shoes of your future self.
What would they tell you? What could you learn from them?
They might tell you you’re going in the right direction or criticise you for taking the wrong path or procrastinating. Listen to that Future You and let them guide you towards a more confident, positive life.
Everything you want is within reach.
There you have it – twenty ways to boost your confidence once you hit 40. Do you have any other tips to add to our list? Let us know on Twitter @Oralift and check back soon for more.