How does confidence affect our lives and how can we feel it more?

This is a short excerpt from a podcast episode with Julie Bjelland and Willow McIntosh on the topic of confidence. They are addressing highly sensitive people, but confidence is an issue for so many - even most - creative people.

From the Show Notes for the original episode:

I’ve noticed that so often something gets in the way of HSPs believing and accessing Confidence. Many of us have received messages our whole life that something is wrong with us for being so sensitive.

Or maybe we have been so overwhelmed by the challenges of our sensitive nervous system that we are in survival mode, instead of truly living our life with purpose.

Not having confidence can show up in the following ways:

not exploring your needs

not advocating for your needs

saying yes when you want to say no

not moving forward if something isn’t perfect or being stuck in fear of failure

not doing something you want because you are pleasing others instead

not believing you are worthy or good enough

not living a life that honors and aligns with your values ...

What is stopping you from what you want?

I’ve been hearing a lot of HSPs be held back from the worry of judgment from others or being different or listening to others' expectations of you, or even self-judgment and fear of failure. Why is that? What would it take for you to let go of that?

Worrying about what people think of us can zap our energy, taking away precious energy that could be used for creativity, growing, and embracing our life.

Can we instead live in a space that honors our needs in the world?

Can we stop thinking we need to fit in and be perfect and embrace our uniqueness?

Can we commit to a more conscious way of living?

Can we stay aware of which tools we need to use and develop to get out of survival mode and thrive?

Can we practice self-compassion when we don’t get it all right?

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Julie Bjelland is "the founder of Sensitive Empowerment. As a sensitivity expert and psychotherapist, her books, online courses, and Sensitive Empowerment Community have helped highly sensitive people (HSPs) worldwide reduce their challenges, access their gifts, and discover their significant value to thrive to their fullest potential.

Willow McIntosh is the founder of Inluminance and leader of the High Sensory Intelligence movement.

Hear the full Episode 117: Confidence: Let’s Explore Where it Comes From and How to Get it, with Julie & Willow at The HSP Podcast.

Also see article with videos and resources by other psychologists and coaches:

How We Can Develop Healthier Self Esteem, Self-Acceptance and Confidence.

Thumbnail image: actor Bill Nighy once commented: “You come to realize there is this huge disparity between what you think about yourself and your work and what other people think about you and your work, at first you either think they’re insane or that it’s a conspiracy to make you look stupid. Or maybe, just maybe, they’re right, and you’re sometimes quite good at what you do.”

From my article Nurture your healthy self-esteem to thrive as an actor and artist. 

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