12 ways to jump-start your confidence after 50
And you can start today
Confidence is an unpredictable thing. One minute you own the world, the next you’re bubbling over with self-doubt. A variety of things contribute to this roller coaster of unpredictable feelings, and getting older is definitely one of them.
It’s important to remember though, just because the years are ticking by, it doesn’t mean you need to start fading off into the sunset. You need to stay confident in who you are no matter how much the generations behind you are giving you a feeling of irrelevance.
Here are some things to remember so you keep being the boss you are:
It’s time to forget what other people think
Whatever it takes to do this, you need to do it. You’re a grown-ass woman, and you need to step into your own identity and stop looking at what your friends or acquaintances are doing. You are amazing and you need to own your queenhood. There is no reason to try and measure up to someone or some idea of normal. Settling into who you are is the most important thing you can do to get that confidence going.
Wear the clothes you like in the colors you love
Of course, it’s tempting to want to be in style or look like you’re up to date with your fashion. But that doesn’t mean jumping on the bandwagon of all the new styles. Stay classic and you can’t go wrong. Don’t be afraid of pops of color or color in general, but don’t forget the timeless beauty of black. Patterns in moderation too. Your clothes are not the star, you are. When you wear your comfortable and classic faves, you won’t be fidgeting around with tucking or pulling and can walk around any room with confidence.
Decorate your home to celebrate where you are now
Whether you’ve been raising kids, or just busy for other reasons over the last couple of decades, it’s time to look around your house. Does it look like you and have things in it that you love? If it feels stale and boring, now is the time to update a few things. It doesn’t take much to do a freshen-up and it can really amp up your daily mindset. A fresh new paint color, some sassy throw pillows, and some clutter removal can really make a difference.
Upgrade your self-care
There are some things you really should skimp on anymore. As you get older, the need to take care of your skin and personal grooming are more important than ever. Love your skin, and do everything you can to make it glow. Don’t stop shaving your legs, getting mani-pedi’s, or going to the hair salon regularly. You deserve it, and you have the time now, so there’s no excuse. Make sure you smell good too. That’s a huge part of feeling like the lovely woman you are.
Get the music in you
Go into your phone and create a few playlists for yourself that you can use to get those juices flowing. You may want one for rocking-out, one for your work-out, and maybe a relaxing playlist for those downtimes. Go a little crazy with this so you can get music into your life. It can lift you out of the dull drums and get you moving to the beat of your life. Your body will be happy, and so will you.
Identify your creative gifts and start using them
There’s something you’re good at and that you love to do, and you should be doing it. It doesn’t have to be just one thing either. Write a book, start to paint, make a garden, whatever it is that gets that creative energy flowing. It’s key for balance and good mental health. Don’t know what your creative gift is? What did you love to do as a kid? What is that you can do for hours and lose track of time? That’s usually where your passion is.
Ditch the negative self talk
We’re all guilty of this at one time or another. Some of us even use self-deprecating humor as our primary social style. That’s not cool. As you get older, it’s more important than ever to start changing that pattern of communication. You have many good qualities, and by now, you’re chock full of wisdom, so stop the negative talk, and start being a positive and inspiring communicator.
Always be learning
Whether it’s the lightning fast-changing technology that can make you feel left in the dust, or just the fact you’re feeling irrelevant these days, there’s an easy fix for that. Teach yourself a skill, whether it’s via an online course, a class, or Youtube. The key to keeping your mind stimulated and your self-esteem high is by continuing to learn new things that you can be proud of. Maybe you can talk to your friends about them and even inspire them too!
Make your body stronger and healthier
Of course, we all know the benefits of exercise, but as you get older, our bones can get weak and our muscles need to be pushed to stay strong. This doesn’t mean you need a personal trainer 6 days a week for an hour, but it does mean that you can’t expect your body to take care of you if all you do is a daily walk. A regime of weight training, walking or running, meditation and stretching is a well-rounded approach to holistic body health. Love your body so it can love you for many years to come.
Conquer a fear or two
By the time you get to this age, there are some deeply rooted fears that you have let settle into your mind for good. While some things may never make it to the to-do list of fears to conquer, you may want to consider one or two. Overcoming a fear that has kept you from living your life to the fullest is a great place to start. Identifying it, and asking a trusted companion or partner to do it with you until it gets easier is a good way to start. Having someone in it with you can help you push through it and leave it behind.
Know where your money is and what it’s doing
Worrying about money is a common pastime for women of a certain age. Maybe you haven’t ever been a big part of the finances in your home, or maybe you just haven’t paid much attention to it. Either way, you need to start. Knowing how much you have, where it is, and what your future financial picture looks like is the key to peace and security in your later years. No one wants to worry about spending money in retirement. You’ve worked too hard to start skimping now. Make a plan, set a budget, and give yourself some wiggle room so you can enjoy your life.
Reignite that childlike curiosity
Being curious is a truly amazing feeling. Remember how it felt when you were young and you asked questions, excitedly waiting for the answer? That’s how you should be living your life at this stage. If there’s something you’ve gone your whole life wondering about or not asking about for whatever reason, now is the time. It’s stimulating to your mind and may even unlock the door to some new interests for you. Ask the question. What are you waiting for?
These are just a few things that can jump-start your self-love journey and confidence building, but there are so many more. Whenever you find yourself feeling bored, saying “no” to things, or simply resisting to step outside of your comfort zone, that is you not living life to your fullest. Trying new things, pushing past fear and discomfort, and creating new habits are great ways to relight your fire for life and make you feel more confident.
After all, while you may or may not regret something you did in your life, but you will always regret not doing something you dreamed of doing.