Things like self-esteem and confidence take the biggest knock as a result of bullying. We know this from the years of research we have undertaken in our Annual Bullying Survey. We internalise the mean comments and try to rationalise why we might’ve been excluded, singled out and picked on.
Eventually, we come to the conclusion that… “it must be me 😳”
In doing so we convince ourselves that there’s something wrong with us and before you know it…. hey presto! You’ve got yourself a whole bunch of social anxiety, confidence issues and low self-esteem to contend with.
The worst thing about this is that it follows us around for ages and it’s difficult to shake, even after the bullying has ended or been resolved. We’re left feeling low and vulnerable.
So, what can we do about it? The answer is simple but not always so easy to achieve: we can learn to love ourselves.
The experts at Ditch the Label put their heads together to come up with 50 things you can do to give yourself a little boost – try to tick off every single one and we guarantee you’ll start feeling better about yourself.
50 tips to rebuild your confidence
Try some of these out:
- Tell yourself that you are enough
- Change up your hairstyle
- Watch your favourite movie
- Talk to that mate that always makes you giggle
- Run faster than you’ve ever run before
- Make something you’ve never made before
- Shout out a window really loud about how amazing you are (we dare you)
- Help a mate
- Spend time with a puppy
- Write a list of all your best qualities
- Write a list of all the good things in your life – add to it every day
- Do something that you know you’re really good at
- Accept a compliment by saying ‘thank you’
- Unfollow/block all the things on social media which make you feel worthless
- Ask for help more
- Build something
- Complete a video game
- Find a sense of community (*cough hint cough*)
- Say yes more to fun/new things
- Learn a martial art
- Take up a new sport
- Literally say nice things to yourself in the mirror (a bit cringe at first, but trust us, it works 😉)
- Be kinder to the people closest to you
- Read about people who have similar experiences to you
- Talk to people who have similar experiences to you
- Treat yourself once in a while
- Allow yourself to laugh more
- Be outside more
- Hang out with people who make you feel good
- Join a forum (*cough hint cough*)
- Understand that the reality is, no one has it easy
- Be creative
- Practise mindful colouring
- Understand that it takes time
- Accept who you are and own it
- Learn about ways to stand up for yourself
- Learn to say no
- Hang out with a kitten😍
- Discover a new band
- Start your own band
- Be more honest
- Meditate
- Be critical of everything you read online
- Go shopping
- Cook a meal for your family/friends
- Join a club
- Organise activities for friends/family
- Celebrate your achievements no matter how big or small
- List the things you love about yourself
- List the things you are most grateful for
Got any to add? Stick em’ in Community – we want to hear how you stay fabulous 😍 @DitchtheLabel
