March 21st, 2026

What Is Self-Confidence?

“My after forty face felt far more comfortable than anything I lived with previously. Self-confidence was a powerful beauty-potion. Failure and grief as well as success and love had served me well. Finally, I was tapping into that most hard-won of youth dews: wisdom.”

Nancy A. Collins (American Horror Fiction Writer; September 10th, 1959)

“Many women confuse self-esteem with self-confidence. For me, self-esteem is how we really feel about ourselves in the secret sanctuary of our soul. Do we love, accept, and approve of ourselves unconditionally? Do we believe that we are worthy of the love of others and the best that life has to offer? The quality of our self-esteem is very deeply connected to the relationship with our first and most important critics, our parents. If they unconditionally loved, accepted, and approved of us, then we probably do, too.”

“But self-confidence is a special elixir that Spirit has prepared to help each of us face and surmount the challenges of life. It’s an aromatic blending of invigorating essences: attitude, experience, knowledge, wisdom, optimism, and faith.If we were fortunate enough to grow up in loving, supportive homes and our self-esteem is strong, we learned our own homeopathic formula early. If we did not, then we need to learn how to mix our own custom blend. What’s important to realize is that self-confidence is available to all of us.”

“An optimistic attitude is essential to self-confidence. So is learning from our mistakes and recognizing that everything in life can be used as a lesson once we are willing to be taught.”

“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Mary Kay Ash (American Businesswoman and Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.; May 12th, 1918 ~ November 22nd, 2001)

“Today, tell yourself that you can do anything you want to do. Because you can. Like an expensive perfume, only a smidgen of self-confidence is needed to embrace a woman’s authentic aura.”

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-21-22)

“It is crazy to read this as I know my upbringing led to my low self-esteem…UGH!. However, I have an intention to build my self-confidence, which is in my control. The most important point I gathered from today’s reading was being willing to be taught from the lessons of life. I need to be ready to drop my story and put myself forth newly. This is scary territory to navigate, and I am willing to try.” (Heather Houston 3-21-22)

“As I chosen to embark on a healing journey with Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy to address my PTSD trauma, I realize I have not been wrong all these years wondering if it was me or them. Apparently, it was not me and I was the victim. As a survivor of sexual assault, I commit to this journey to face my fears, banish my shame and come out the other side reborn, newly with love in my heart and love in my life. Honestly, I am a bit scared and anxious and I think that is normal and healthy. Facing challenges in a new way so they lose their power over me is a new idea and it it is worth exploring so I can finally live free.” (Heather Houston 3-21-26)

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 87-88 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.