A few lucky people are born confident. But the rest of us have to work for it, and that can be a lifelong struggle.

The signs of low self-esteem aren’t always obvious, either. For instance, when someone compliments you at work, attributing it to luck can be a sign that you don’t believe in yourself.

If you’ve spent a lifetime tearing yourself down in subtle ways, you need to stop. You have to find ways to build yourself up instead.

It’s never too late to figure out how to find self-worth. Keep reading for 5 confidence boosters that will help you feel better. 

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

You shouldn’t live your life in fear. But you also can’t wake up every day afraid of a little discomfort.

Discomfort can help you grow. Let’s say you don’t like public speaking. But then your sister asks you to make a toast at her wedding next month.

Fear of public speaking is common. In a way, that should be comforting. If other people can beat it, so can you.

You don’t have to give a long speech. When it comes to wedding toasts, shorter is better.

But don’t focus on everything that might go wrong. Chances are, you’re not going to pass out from anxiety. 

Stop Insulting Yourself

A little self-deprecation can make people feel at ease. But there’s a fine line between poking fun at yourself and insulting yourself every chance you get.

For instance, a lot of people run late sometimes. If you walk into an event five minutes late, a simple apology is nice.

But what’s not nice is saying, “Hey, you know me: I couldn’t tell time until I was 14. I’m worthless.” 

You’re actually calling more attention to yourself that way. Do not call yourself worthless because you’re human and screw up sometimes.

Do Something Kind

If you’re down on yourself, it’s easy to get stuck in your own head. Build yourself up again by doing a nice thing for someone you love.

It could be something small and impulsive, like paying for the coffee of the person behind you at Starbucks. Or it could be something bigger like planning a surprise birthday party.

Stop Hiding

Staying at home can be a great way to unwind. But you shouldn’t stay at home because you’re afraid people will judge you if you go out in public.

Everyone is afraid of that. Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to gawk at others.

If you feel up to attending a social event, great. If not, try taking a walk around your neighborhood. 

Do a Little Bit

There are days when you don’t feel capable of doing anything. But doing something small will remind you that you’re tougher than you realize.

For instance, becoming a tech entrepreneur is a worthy goal. But you aren’t going to accomplish that in a single day, week, or month. Don’t expect perfection right out of the gate.

If all you can do on a particular day is sketch out some business ideas on a napkin, that’s fine. It’s way better than nothing.

How to Build Yourself Up

Learning how to build yourself up doesn’t mean you won’t experience low moments. You will.

But using the above self-care tips makes it more likely you’ll figure out how to get your confidence back sooner rather than later. 

Want to know more? Check out our list of the best self-help websites.