That felt impossible, to me a confident girl was someone who was in the popular group at school, you remember the girl who would talk over the teachers and somehow managed to look incredible in a school uniform, as well as having all the boys in love with her. I was never going to be that girl. Now the truth is that I never did become that girl but I did discover that isn't what confidence really looks like. Confidence looks like being happy with who you are!
I can honestly say that I am now confident in who I am, but how do you become happy with who you are? Well firstly I learnt you have to spend time actually getting to know yourself, funnily enough it actually takes time to discover who you are and you have to be intentional about it. Take some time to think about what your values are, what are your dreams and goals for life, what do you enjoy doing? Maybe find a hobby, for me I love art and I love to write poetry, they are things that are unique to me.
Secondly surround yourself with people who love you for you. My friends are constantly reminding me of who I am, I know that I am loved regardless of the mistakes I make, I know that I can turn up to my friends house looking like a total mess and they will still think I'm beautiful and they will still want to hang out with me.
Know that you are you for a reason! You are totally unique to this world and it needs you in it. As a christian I know that God has given me gifts and strengths for a reason and I am confident that I am a vital part in my community. People don't like me because I fit in with everyone else, they like me because I bring something different.
Standing out in a crowd isn't about being the loudest one in the room, its about being happy and confident in who you are. Trust me, people notice when they met someone who is unashamed of who they are. Take it from someone who used to be invisible and can now get on a stage with a microphone and speak to 400 people.
Lauren Wilthew
9th May 2018