Embodying Confidence: How to Step Into Your Power

Confidence is something you’re born with, then lose.
It’s something you have to rebuild.
Over time.
Through experience, trust, and gentle action.

We often think confidence means always being certain, outgoing, or loud.
But real confidence is quiet.
Steady.
It’s not about proving yourself.
It’s about knowing yourself.

What Is Real Confidence?

According to Dr. Gabor Maté, true confidence comes from authenticity, not performance.
When we’re grounded in who we are, we don’t need to impress others.
Confidence is the byproduct of self-acceptance.

It’s not the absence of fear.
It’s the willingness to move forward despite fear.

And science backs this up.
Studies show that confidence is closely linked to how we think, feel, and behave—and that we can train our brains and bodies to feel more confident.

The Science of Confidence

🔹 Neuroscience shows that confidence is a learned state.
The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-perception, becomes more active when we act with confidence—even if we don’t feel it yet.

That means practicing confident behaviors can actually rewire your brain to feel more confident over time.

🔹 Posture affects hormone levels.
Research from social psychologist Amy Cuddy found that "power poses" can increase testosterone (associated with confidence) and lower cortisol (associated with stress).

Standing tall, shoulders back, and taking up space may help your body signal confidence to your brain.

🔹 Mindset matters.
Carol Dweck’s work on the growth mindset shows that believing we can improve creates a sense of internal power.
Confidence grows when we see setbacks as opportunities to learn, not failures.

How to Build Real Confidence

1️⃣ Shift Your Mindset
Confidence may begin with your thoughts.
Notice negative self-talk.
Then gently redirect it.
Replace “I can’t” with “I’m learning.”
“I always fail” with “I’m still growing.”

Small changes shift your brain.
And that changes your belief in what’s possible.

2️⃣ Adjust Your Body Language
Stand tall.
Take up space.
Breathe deeply.

Your body speaks to your mind.
And your nervous system listens.

Even two minutes of open posture can boost inner calm and retrain your stress response.

3️⃣ Take Aligned Action
You don’t have to feel confident to take action.
Taking action is what builds confidence.

Start small.
Speak up when you’d normally stay silent.
Try something new—even if it’s imperfect.
Every time you act in alignment with your values, confidence grows.

My Experience

There was a time in my life when I looked confident on the outside—but inside, I felt small.
When I was diagnosed with RA, I realized I was performing my way through life, not living authentically.

Through deep healing, mindset shifts, and daily rituals that aligned with my true self, I found confidence—not in perfection—but in truth.

Today, confidence means this:
I don’t need to be anyone else.
I just need to be me.
And so do you.

Let’s Remember

Confidence is a practice, not a personality trait.
It’s built one breath, one moment, one aligned action at a time.
And it lives within you.

Not to impress.
But to express who you truly are.

You are enough.
And you’re more powerful than you know.

Debbie