The Confidence Project

October 19, 2011

Perhaps it’s the change in weather, frustration with not meeting a goal quickly or just overall blah’s – most of us could use more confidence.

You see: I have always had a problem going “hell yeah I’m awesome!” I might be slightly happy with myself for a brief moment, but that everlasting sense of being an overall great person worthy of praise is something I haven’t been able to develop.

When you dissect things down, we all have done awesome things, are awesome friends, awesome children, awesome parents, etc. We’re awesome humans.

We have compassion, empathy, love, caring, and greatness within us. Why can’t we run around and shout it from the rooftops?

Personally, I always worried that if I “owned” my awesomeness, it would come across as selfish. Someone said this last week and it has stuck in my head every day since:

Confidence is not narcissism.

Inherently, I know this. I admire confident people and always wish I could be like them. So I am practicing confidence – and I ask you to also.

This isn’t some formal project. I just want to be able to round up the collective of our awesomeness. If we all can say out loud (or on the interwebz) WHY we have the right to be confident, won’t that help others feel comfortable to be confident also? (Or, we could all turn into a bunch of raving loons – I’m willing to take that chance).

So, share with the world: on your blog, in the comments here, on Twitter, on Facebook: Why are you awesome? Why do you have the right to be confident? Give me examples! Here are a few of mine:

  • I am confident because I am smart.
  • I am confident because I finished a half marathon.
  • I am confident because I am a good writer.
  • I am confident because I am an awesome wife.
Even in writing those, I tried to filter myself. I deleted “I am a good writer” because I didn’t want to sound self-involved by saying that. Thus, the reason this exercise is so hard.
Sound off below. Every time you think of another reason, shout it out. If you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #confidenceproject so we can all see it. (And click here to tweet the message right now!) Feel free to throw them on my Facebook page, or link your own blog posts below. I want to see if we can get a kickass group of people who aren’t afraid to share their awesomeness with the world.



Who is with me?!

  • http://www.tryingtotri.com Kristine Thompson

    I love this topic – is it because we’re women that we prefer to make light of our accomplishments? Because we’re taught not to brag, to hide our success so others will like us? My husband and son have no issues with confidence, and you know what? I’m just as smart and successful as they are… so why do I make light of my accomplishments?

    So I’m IN!!  I’m confident because I’m smart too. And I’m confident because I’ve reached my goal weight, and because I’m a marathoner… and a triathlete now too! Every success helps boost my confidence more, because it proves that if I work hard at something, I CAN do it!

    And Emmie – you ARE a good writer – you engage your readers and made us think. Thank you for that.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      First, thanks for the kind words – I appreciate them greatly. Second- I wondered also if it was a female thing. Certainly there are men with confidence issues, but the gender gap seems to have stuck with us for far too long. 

  • Chetney

    I talked about this on my blog tonight, and linked your site! <3 Thank you for this! Eye opening! 

    • Chetney woodburn

      My blog is http://www.czesialives.blogspot.com if you’d like to see! 

      • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

        I just left a comment on your blog – that was an AMAZING list. Love it.

  • D …

    Confidence is really hard, I find it so challenging to be proud without feeling boastful and conceited but perhaps because I was always taught if I was overweight I couldn’t really do anything right because I was so socially unacceptable. It’s easier on my blog to say “hey look what I did”  than in my real world for example I am proud that finally I lost weight 2 weeks in a row and I can say it out here but in my life I’m keeping it to myself.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Don’t keep that to yourself – that’s amazing!! xo

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1524468124 Marjorie Williams

    Ouch! Hit that nerve again Emmie! When I was younger, all the other kids gave me a hard time saying I was “full of myself” because of my confidence.  Now, I get guilt twinges whenever I feel really good about myself.  Darn kids, should have never listened to them!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Darn kids!!!

  • Jessica W

    What a great concept! Thank you for sharing this. I’m
    confident because of my stick-to-itiveness and I complete goals I set my sights
    on. I’m confident in my ability to find answers to problems and help people
    out. I’m confident in having just run my first 5K. I’m confident in being open
    to new experiences and learning new cultures.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      I love “stick-to-itiveness” – that is certainly something to hold your head high for.

  • http://gilliansactivelife.ca Gillian

    Here goes with my list: I am confident because I quit smoking six years ago. I am confident because I own my own home and run my own business. I am confident because I’ve lost 80 lbs. I am confident because my trainer tells me I’m awesome! I am confident because people think I am.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Wow, quit smoking and lost 80 pounds? Talk about a commitment to your life – fantastic!

  • Sharon Harwell

    HI! I just found your blog.  Love it! you are such an inspiration! I also live in Kentucky.  I live in Lexington.  Can’t wait to watch what else you do!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      I’m in Lexington! Off to subscribe to your blog…

  • Sharon Harwell

    oh also check me out at http://shagrl79.blogspot.com/

  • Dacia

    I am confident because I have stopped using my weight as an excuse and started to challenge myself mentally and physically.

    I am confident because I love myself as is!

    I am confident because I have a life I love and am not afraid to make it even better!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      awesome, awesome, awesome

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Katie-Ann-Day/1700706662 Katie Ann Day

    You’re right, this is hard, but here goes!

    I am confident because I am always ready to help someone in need.

    I am confident because I am an excellent artist and writer.

    I am confident because I know I put forth the utmost effort in everything I do.

    I am confident because I am clever and hilarious when I want to make someone smile.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Those are 4 fantastic reasons!

  • http://kclanderson.com KCLAnderson (Karen)

    Paraphrasing from Marianne Williamson: when we allow ourselves to shine (grow, strive, succeed, perform, etc.), we model that for others. I am not sure why or how we became so afraid of shining, but all I know is that it’s the opposite of selfish. Those who would criticize or accuse us of being selfish for wanting to be the best selves we can be are obviously not shining themselves. 

    I am confident because I am an excellent writer. I put my heart and soul into my craft and I express myself in a way that feels right and natural to me…I don’t try and imitate other writers.

    I am confident because I am a great wife/partner. I love my husband and appreciate him. I show him with my actions that I love and respect him

    I am confident because I have learned how to have good, healthy relationships with my stepchildren and because of that, I am now a happy Grandma who can freely love my grandson without all the baggage from my past.

    I am confident because I have loved and nurtured my body to the healthiest its ever been. It’s not perfect, and it’s not skinny, but it’s healthier and stronger and lighter.

    And so on… 

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Karen, that’s totally true about being afraid of shining. I love your confidence. 

  • Anonymous

    I feel like people judge me when I point out my accomplishments. It’s actually why I’ve been having such a rough time compiling my portfolio, which is essentially a giant document of “look how awesome I am!”

    I am confident because I am intelligent.
    I am confident because I am a great meowmy to my cat.
    I am confident because I am a first-generation student who is getting a master’s degree.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      aaw, “meowmy” is so cute! And yay for all of it!

      • Anonymous

        Thanks! I’m his meowmy, and my parents are his grandmeow and grandpurr. =D I tell them it’s as close to a grandchild as they’ll be getting from me for a while.

  • Mizfit

    LOVED seeing this on twitter.

  • http://samanthasday.wordpress.com/ erinsgobragh

    OOOO I joined the Twitter conversation! You know this is the first time I joined one of these!

    I am Confident because I push through my disability and don’t let the pain it causes me hold me back!
    I am Confident because I’m a great mom!
    I am Confident because I produce great artwork!
    I am Confident because I love my workouts and when I set my mind to finish it I always do!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Yes, yes, yes, yes!!! 

  • Kari Held

    I grew up not being very confident and I was extremely shy..it wasn’t until I started to own it and really care about myself that this feeling started to pop into my head..’am I being too much into myself’? then I had to shake my head and say no way! why can’t I be proud of myself for how far I’ve come? so here goes…
    I’m confident because I can be myself.
    I’m confident because I am a survivor.
    I’m confident because I love myself.
    I’m confident because I’m a great friend and listener.
    I’m confident because I can turn most bad situations into positive.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Love x 5. Stand proud.

  • http://profiles.google.com/mindofamadwoman Mad Woman

    I am confident because I DESERVE TO BE!!

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

      Yes you do!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

    remember – no blushing!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

    Thank you for your kind words Ashlee – you have so many reasons to shine – love your list.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

    I left a comment on your blog, but wanted to remind you how awesome you are!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

    Those are all awesome reasons, Danielle

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com Emily Sandford

    Thanks so much for the kind words Melissa. The only reason I have the courage to keep writing things is because people like you give awesome feedback that make me realize I’m not alone. xo

Previous post:

Next post:

Copyright Skinny Emmie © 2013

Disclaimer