Being shy or timid doesn’t have to define your life. This year, let’s make it your mission to become more outspoken because, honestly, no one else can deliver your message or share your story quite like you can. Your life—with all its twists, turns, and lessons—deserves to be celebrated, especially by you.
If you feel stuck in a self-image that isn’t working for you anymore, consider this your sign to change it. Becoming more confident and outspoken is extremely possible, and it starts with little steps. Here are 10 ways to start finding your voice and embracing the vibrant, bold person you’re meant to be. Plus, don’t forget to grab your free Daily Confidence-Building Worksheet at the end—it’s a great way to track your daily progress.
1. Acknowledge Your Worth
At your core, you are inherently worthy and unique. Start reminding yourself daily that your thoughts and experiences matter, even when it doesn’t feel that way. Practicing saying affirmations like, “I am enough” or “My voice matters.”
Research shows that practicing self-affirmation activates brain areas tied to self-worth and reward (Cascio et al., 2016). So yes, this isn’t just feel-good fluff—it’s backed by science.
Example: Write down three things you genuinely love about yourself and pin that list somewhere you’ll see it daily. Say the list out loud as often as you can. It may feel awkward at first but after a while, it will become a naturally part of your daily routine.
2. Challenge Negative Thoughts
You know that nagging inner critic that never shuts up? It’s time to stop letting it run the show. Start catching those moments of self-doubt and flipping the script. For example, replace “I’m not good at speaking up” with “I’m learning to express myself confidently.”
Example: Keep a journal where you write down negative thoughts, then rewrite them in a positive or neutral way.
3. Practice Self-Care Daily
Taking care of your body, mind, and spirit isn’t just about bubble baths or green smoothies—though those are great, too! It’s about building a strong foundation of self-respect. You’ll feel stronger inside, which makes it so much easier to show up as your true self.
Example: Kick off your mornings with a simple five-minute mindfulness routine or a quick dance session to your favorite song. Insight Timer is a great meditation app to use for this to track your daily progress!
4. Set Small Goals (and keep them)
Confidence isn’t built in a day. Start small. Maybe it’s sharing one idea in a meeting or asking a barista how their day is going. Each small win builds momentum and shows you what you’re capable of.
Example: Commit to saying one thing during your next group chat or meeting—even if it’s just, “That’s a great idea!”
5. Embrace Discomfort
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch. Nervous? Good! That’s a sign you’re pushing yourself. Over time, those scary moments will feel way less intimidating.
Research shows that tackling moderate challenges builds resilience and adaptability (Seery et al., 2010). Translation: stepping outside your bubble makes you stronger.
Example: Go to an event where you don’t know many people, and challenge yourself to strike up a conversation with at least one person.
6. Speak Positively
Words have energy, and how you speak about yourself matters. Swap out self-deprecating comments for ones that uplift and affirm your worth. Even if it feels a little awkward at first, stick with it.
Example: Start a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re proud of yourself for each day, no matter how small.
7. Seek Supportive Connections
The people you surround yourself with matter. Find your cheerleaders—friends or mentors who genuinely want to see you thrive. Being around uplifting energy makes it so much easier to share your own.
Part of building confidence is also knowing which relationships support your growth and which ones drain your energy. Learning how to set boundaries as a form of self-care can help you protect your time, energy, and self-worth.
Studies show that strong social networks improve mental health and boost confidence (Cohen & Wills, 1985). A supportive crew can make all the difference.
Example: Join a group that interests you—whether it’s a yoga class, a book club, or a hiking meetup—and start building connections with people who get you.
8. Learn New Skills
Trying something new isn’t just fun—it’s empowering. Plus, it gives you something fresh to talk about and helps you feel more confident in your abilities.
Example: Sign up for a public speaking class or an art workshop and watch how quickly your confidence grows.
9. Celebrate Successes
Every win—big or small—deserves to be celebrated. Did you speak up during a group conversation? Celebrate! Introduce yourself to someone new? Celebrate that too. Each little moment matters.
As someone who struggled with shyness for most of my life, I’ve had to learn to stop fixating on every awkward social encounter or the times I stayed invisible in conversations when I desperately wanted to speak. Instead, I’ve focused on acknowledging the small wins. Show your mind how important these moments are by celebrating them. Building confidence is like training your brain to release a daily dose of dopamine—each small win reinforces a positive feedback loop, making you feel good and encouraging you to keep growing.
Example: Reward yourself with something small, like your favorite latte or a relaxing movie night, after hitting a goal.
10. Visualize Your Best Self
Close your eyes and picture the boldest, most confident version of you. What does she wear? How does she walk into a room? How does she share her thoughts? Keep that vision in your mind as motivation to take small, daily steps toward becoming her.
Example: Create a vision board filled with images, quotes, and colors that reflect the energy you want to embody.
Download Your Free Worksheet
Remember to download our Daily Confidence-Building Worksheet to track your progress (free code is in the description of the worksheet). With consistency and self-love, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your self-concepts shifts.
Sources Cited in the Blog
- Cascio, C. N., O’Donnell, M. B., Tinney, F. J., Lieberman, M. D., Taylor, S. E., Strecher, V. J., & Falk, E. B. (2016). Self-affirmation activates brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 11(4), 621-629.
Link to Study - Seery, M. D., Holman, E. A., & Silver, R. C. (2010). Whatever does not kill us: Cumulative lifetime adversity, resilience, and mental health in a national sample of trauma survivors. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(6), 1025-1041.
Link to Study - Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.
Link to Study
