The Teenage Guide To Confidence

Ok, so if you're reading this, then you're either really bored or really need a confidence boost. And if you're the second option, then you've probably read other articles or watched YouTube videos about "How to become confident," or "How to become the best version of yourself." And yeah, I get it. Most of the advice online is either the most basic thing you have ever seen, like "Just accept who you are," and if everyone could just do that, well then, you wouldn't be here. So here I am, going to give you my personal tips to improve your confidence.

Ok, so now I’m going to introduce myself, and honestly, this feels stressful.Like you only get one first impression and this is it. My name is Shreshta, and I’m just going to be honest right now—I am loud, chaotic, and I cannot spell. That is not a joke. I genuinely can't spell for the life of me. Half of this article was spelled wrong. Also I really love bananas, and chocolate. I don't know why that's important but I couldn't relax without writing that. I am the most chaotic person you will ever meet even if you have never met me. So yea nice to meet you and lets get started.

Getting bullied for parts of your appearance can have a bigger impact than people realize. It can slowly change the way you see yourself and make you focus on one “flaw” so much that it starts to feel like it defines you. You might find yourself constantly trying to fix it, adjust it, or hide it, to the point where it takes up way more of your time and energy than it should. And the truth is, even after all that effort, it often doesn’t make you feel as much better as you thought it would.

So this tip is going to be about how to accept your insecurities. And I know I said I wouldn’t say something this basic, but it’s honestly a game-changer. When you stop worrying so much about what other people think about YOUR body, you slowly start to let go of that constant pressure to change yourself. You stop picking yourself apart over every little part of you, and you start to become more confident in your own skin.

And no, I’m not going to tell you to just suddenly love a part of yourself that you’ve struggled with for a long time. That’s not realistic and not what this is about. But what you can do is learn to be a little less hard on yourself. Instead of hating that part of you every time you look in the mirror , you can start accepting yourself, even if it’s just a little bit . Because confidence doesn’t come from waking up one day and loving everything about yourself—it comes from learning how look in the mirror without constantly picking out flaws.

Ok, so let's say you hate the gap in your teeth, and you've been begging for braces. Well, did you know in France, the fashion capital of the world, a gap in your teeth is considered charming, and a sign of individuality and a relaxed, effortless style? A front tooth gap is sometimes called "les dents du bonheur" (teeth of happiness). And let's say you hate the fact that you're not average height, or you're not as tall as your peers or coworkers. Well, did you know in South Korea, a smaller frame is often seen as elegant and delicate, especially in fashion and beauty trends? Which is wild, because most of the current beauty trends are from Korea.

And curly hair—society often makes it seem like straight, smooth hair is the ideal and if you don't have ''glass hair'' there is something wrong with your hair. And anything with volume or texture gets labeled as “messy” or “frizzy.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In many places around the world, curly hair is admired for its volume, personality, and uniqueness. In countries like Italy and Greece, natural curls and texture are common and seen as beautiful, expressive, and full of life. While some people spend hours using heat tools and products just to create waves or curls, others are trying to tame what already grows naturally from their heads. And yes, curly hair can be difficult to manage, and it doesn’t always fall perfectly into place the way people expect, but that doesn’t make you any less beautiful. And at the end of the day, hair isn’t meant to look identical on everyone—it’s one of the things that makes each person stand out.

For people with "big" noses—society generally pushes for the small, perfect button nose. But in Turkey, rather than a tiny "button nose," many people appreciate facial features that give someone a unique look and make them instantly recognizable. And remember, you didn't choose what you were born with, so if other people have a problem with it, it's not you, it's them. And if you still need convincing, then ask yourself this: how do you want to be remembered? Do you want people to say, "Oh yeah, she's the pretty friend"? Or do you want to be known as the friend who makes everyone laugh, who is smart, who is kind? Think about that for a minute.

Ok, now time for confidence and the people around you. So I heard this quote the other day, and I love the meaning behind it. If you spend all day in a fish market, you'll come home smelling like fish, even if you didn't buy any. But if you spend all day at a perfume shop, then you'll leave smelling like perfume, even if you didn't buy any. The same thing applies to your confidence.

If you surround yourself with people who are constantly negative, insecure, or always putting others down, it slowly starts to affect how you see yourself. You might begin to doubt yourself more, feel less confident, and start picking apart things about yourself that never bothered you before. However, if you spend time with people who are confident, supportive, and uplifting, that energy starts to rub off on you. You begin to feel more sure of yourself, more comfortable in your own skin, and more confident in the way you carry yourself.

So choose your circle carefully, because the people around you will have a direct impact on your confidence. And if you have someone in your life who constantly makes you feel small, insecure, or not good enough, then it might be time to take a step back. You don’t have to completely cut them off, because I know that can be really hard, but start creating some distance and stop giving them so much power over how you feel about yourself. Even if it’s your best friend. LET THEM GO. Yes, it’s awkward, yes, it’s scary, and yes, it’s uncomfortable, but protecting your confidence is worth it. And over time, you’ll start to feel lighter, stronger, and more like a better you.

Ok, that's all I can think of right now, but personally, I think that you got this. Remember, the road to heaven feels like hell, and the road to hell feels like heaven. If you feel like hell right now, or maybe doing some of these things is killing you inside, then stop and take a breath. You are the best, and even if you don't know that, I do.

Ok, now it's time to say goodbye. I wish you luck on your confidence journey, and stay tuned for more of my articles. Bye, guys.