How to boost your confidence in 10 steps for writers

Embrace your inner artist and develop writer’s self esteem! It’s an important part of being a confident creative!

Gain confidence! There is such a thing as “writer’s self-esteem” and you can nourish yours with tried and true techniques.

When I first started this blog I didn’t know what to focus on. I was terrified it would never “take off.” But there’s more to life than becoming Instagram famous or a superstar blogger. None of that matters if you don’t believe in the quality of your own work. If you don’t, who will? Fear is your friend, and here’s why. Writing is not supposed to always be easy. Yes, sometimes a post or essay just flows- good for you! Other times, it seems impossibly frustrating to pen your thoughts. Your experiences are complicated, and that’s the way life is. Life isn’t simple, so describing it shouldn’t be either. In my opinion, it would be an insult to your intelligence if storytelling was always easy…the complexity of life is worthy of being a challenge to depict! Be brave and love the hard stuff.

“A confident creative is someone who believes in the inherent value of his or her work.”

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Following these easy writing-friendly tips well help you appreciate your own creative genius!

1. Don’t beat up your writing (out loud). This may seem obvious, but it isn’t easy to ignore the little voice in your head saying, “well this isn’t worth posting.” Any negative energy you carry around with you blocks your creative channels. In the moment where you complete a project and say, “This is horrible,” you are subconsciously punishing yourself for being creative. It will stifle your desire to continue.
   

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2. Focus on becoming a “positive critic.” There are constructive ways you can scrutinize your own work. Try comparing something you’ve written recently with an older piece and mark the “positive evolutions” you’ve made. Concretely recording your progress does wonders!
   

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3. Take a few minutes to admire your own written accomplishments. No, you’re not being egotistical; you’re rewarding your creative self. We’ve been taught from a young age to be so hard on ourselves, all in the name of improvement. There’s a better way to evolve, and that’s by appreciating your work from the ground up. 12 followers? You’re starting. Focus on that. One killer sentence in an essay you think could be better? Use that as a jumping point instead of framing it the other way around!
   

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4. Read more. There’s no question that all “not all readers are writers, but all writers must be readers.” The written word, the big guys- Shakespeare, Wordsworth, whoever. Glean from their expertise. You will ALWAYS become a better writer when you read the work of others. Everyone writes differently, and that’s a win-win for all of us.
   

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5. Make sure you make editing a part of your writing process. No I mean really, schedule it in. I believe that concrete efforts over time improve the mentality of a writer’s outlook. Hemingway allegedly wrote drunk and edited sober. Whatever your method is, take some time in between writing and publishing to edit with a clearer set of eyes, and a refreshed mind. You’ll spot things you didn’t before, and improve your confidence and editing chops over time.
   

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6. Don’t be negative to other people. There’s no gain or fame in bashing someone else’s work, and not only is it unkind; it will block your creative essence. Creativity and art are positive points, and remember that anyone who is in the creative process is attempting to capture their life in art. By bringing them down in any way, or giving harsh critique that’s not constructive, you’re only hurting the writing community—which you are a part of.
   

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7. Carry around a notebook. No one controls when the spark hits! By having a way to jot down your best ideas as they come, you won’t forget them. Over time that little creative notebook becomes physical proof of how many awesome ideas you have, & you can look back on it and expand!
   

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8. Take risks. There’s something exhilarating about doing something different. Is there a topic you want to write about but never thought you could? Give it a shot! There’s no better confidence booster than biting the bullet, throwing caution to the wind, taking a chance and then realizing what a badass you are. You see how courageous your writer’s soul is when you push your limits!
   

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9. Let your friends in. My loved ones are my biggest support group. Their opinions matter to me because I trust my friends, and in your immediate circle, you’ve got caring people who are willing to read your work and offer positive feedback. There’s no way to warm your heart faster than by listening to those who love you. I say “let your friends in” because sometimes, when someone counts, you’re even more afraid of them than the anonymous public! When you see how much your friends believe in you, you’ll trust yourself.
   

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10. Find a writing mantra and stick to it. I believe in the power of words, and having a mantra define your week, month, or next project is a catchy and effective way to keep you on track. Repeat it to believe it! Here’s mine for the month: “Creativity is contagious- pass it on!”

We all have a creative spark. Turn it into a fire.

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