For many of us who have battled chronic illness, confidence loss hits at some point. This may be because of weakness, fatigue, a change in physical appearance, career loss or being less socially interactive with others. There is often a direct correlation between our levels of diminished capacity and our decrease in self-worth.

The loss of confidence can impact our psychological wellbeing as we tend to withdraw from the outside world and feel a loss of control, as well as anxiety and depression. The emotional wear and tear can also be of further detriment to our physical health.

During my chronic illness battle, I suffered from severe lapses in confidence. Having once enjoyed a successful sales career and being in peak physical shape I was suddenly reduced to a life of sitting on a couch, breathing with the aid of an oxygen tank while physically withering away. I felt worthless for a long time. Fortunately, I found ways to regain some confidence. Implementing some of the following approaches helped me. I believe that they can help you too:

9 Approaches to Consider

As important as it is to make peace with less confident feelings to lower stress and anxiety, the following strategies can be highly effective in achieving small wins which lead us to recapture a confident mindset.

1. Avoid All or Nothing Thinking

Illness can be an emotional period that can lead one to catastrophising events. However, thinking in absolutes will often lead to feelings of despair. Try to establish if there is some middle ground. For example, think about if you have lost everything or if it is possible that you still possess some strengths and positive qualities.

2. Identify What You Still Control

Maybe you are more physically restricted and not as able to control as many aspects of your life as you once were. However, think about what you still can control. What action steps are you still able to take to help yourself?

3. High Goals and Low Goals

Loss of confidence may coincide with failing to meet your expectations. As your capabilities fluctuate during illness try to set high goals and low goals for yourself. Maybe some days your physical state will allow you to achieve those high goals but achieving the low goals on off days can still feel like an achievement.

4. Imagine Talking with a Friend.

Think about a close friend or someone else you care about going through what you are experiencing. Imagine what you might tell them. How would you try to boost their confidence? Can you say the same to yourself now?

5. Act of Kindness

Whether it be once a day or once a week, perform one random act of kindness for another person. This can even be carried out online if you are housebound. Doing so will take you outside of yourself and provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

6. Immerse Yourself in a Pastime.

In the world of mental health, this is referred to as achieving “Flow”. Think about something you could enjoy and derive a sense of achievement from. Building, writing, or learning something will help you psychologically, even if your energy only allows you to do so for brief periods.

7. Identify Newly Acquired Strengths

Take time to consider if your illness made you a stronger or better person in any way. As crazy as it sounds maybe you are more resilient, calmer, or better at prioritizing. Which other strengths might you have acquired along the way?

8. Daily Wins

Make a list of a few things that you have accomplished each day. This may include walking around the block, making breakfast for yourself or formulating a daily timetable. No matter how small, it will help to remind you of your value.

9. Future Self

Write down any goals you may have for your future self. What will you be doing? Who can you be still? This can help to remind you that some of the issues which have damaged your confidence are only temporary and that a better future may lay ahead.

We invite you to share your feedback with us. Have you tried any of these before? Have you tried anything different? What has worked for you? What has not worked?

Is there anything else you would like for us to cover?

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As always, if you are experiencing any severe medical or psychological symptoms, we always recommend you speak directly to a qualified professional.

Thank you for checking in with us and we’ll see you again soon.