Many people will say life begins at 40, but it doesn’t always feel that way. When you look back to your youth, you may notice that you no longer look a certain way, or that you can no longer do certain things with the same ease as you did back in your youth. Life’s had its ups and downs, and things were simply better back then – or so it seems. Nostalgia can be really tricky to navigate, and it can impact your current self-esteem and quality of life.
But things don’t have to be this way! Feeling young and confident has nothing to do with age and everything to do with your own mindset. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of tips on how to regain your lost confidence once you’ve hit the big four-oh – simply scroll down and read away!
Pursue a new hobby
As time goes on, it becomes a whole lot easier to get stuck in routine. You may feel like you’re always doing the same thing, whether it’s your job, the usual house chores or taking care of the children. This is your sign to break free from your day-to-day routine and add some newness and excitement into your life! Pursuing a new hobby is a great way to do that. It can be anything from taking a cooking class, learning a new language, or taking up a new sport – the world is your oyster.
Get some exercise
If your body is causing you self confidence issues, all you need to do is move around a little! Doing any sort of exercise will help release endorphins, which relieve stress and anxiety and boost your mood. Not just that, but it can also help you gain more energy for the things you love. An active life is a massive confidence boost for many people – especially as they get older. If you don’t have time to join a gym, simply going for a walk every day can do wonders in boosting your self esteem and improving your overall wellbeing.
Take care of your skin
Our skin is usually the number one reminder that we’ve aged, be it wrinkles, blemishes, or dark spots. It can have a great impact on your confidence, as you may no longer feel as attractive as you once used to. Simply following the correct skin care routine can go a long way in preventing signs of aging skin. Anti-aging creams and moisturisers are your best friends in this. Botox treatments can also work wonders if you want to turn back time and give your skin its youthful feel back.
Get creative
Another great way to boost your confidence is engaging in creative activities. Nothing feels more rewarding than creating something from scratch all by yourself, and it can also be a great way to break out of your routine and try out something new. You can start a home DIY project or a personal journal, pick up painting or join a creative class full of like-minded people. Let’s get to work, shall we?
Get in touch with your younger self
Sometimes, looking back on all the fun things you used to do in your early twenties can make you feel much older than you really are. A great way to regain the feeling of youthfulness you once had is to get in touch with the person you were back then – by taking time to remind yourself what it was that gave you joy, what your hobbies were and who you socialised with.
Rewatch all those sappy romantic movies and read those books younger you loved so much. If you used to enjoy a certain style of music, look up similar concerts in your area! Pursuing the same activities from back then can help put you back into the same mindset and make you feel young and adventurous again.
Make a style change
Confidence shouldn’t come from appearance alone, but it definitely plays a big factor into it. If you find yourself feeling less attractive as time passes, it may just mean that you need to shake things up a bit in your appearance. Consider trying out some new make-up or a new hairstyle. Dye your hair in a bold colour or add some new, experimental clothes into your wardrobe. The feeling of freshness that comes with a style change can be enough to bring back the lost confidence. Not to mention all the compliments you’ll get from everyone around you!
Get social
Don’t underestimate the power that quality connections can have over your own feelings of self-worth and wellbeing. A great way to get out of the 40’s slump and regain your youthfulness is meeting new, like-minded people. It may feel daunting to get social at this age, but it doesn’t have to be. Look up some classes in your area on topics that interest you, start volunteering, or even join online circles. If you are single, consider putting yourself out there and starting dating again. The sky is the limit, so just go out there and make new friends!
Once you make some new friends, you can meet up with them often and break free from your usual routine. You even have an excuse to try out new things with them, making you feel adventurous and bold again.
Put yourself first
Sometimes, as we age, we become so focused on other people’s wellbeing that we may end up neglecting ours. If you’re always someone’s employee, someone’s spouse, someone’s parent, but never your own person, this is your sign to put yourself first for once. No matter if you’re taking a day off work to rest up, taking yourself out on a date or going on holiday, always remember to take the time to pamper yourself and treat yourself like you deserve! Showing love and care to yourself will make you feel strong and empowered, greatly improving self-confidence.
Introspect
Sometimes, the feelings of low self-worth we experience as we get older come from not feeling very accomplished. It’s very easy to focus on things you’ve never finished or compare yourself to others and where they are in life. Reflecting on where you started and where you are now can help you realise all the things you’ve achieved in life so far, and make you feel a sense of pride and confidence in yourself. You’ll realise very quickly that you have a long list of things to be proud of, just like everybody else.
Make a bucket list
It’s easy to feel like you’ve done all there is to do once you get older, but the truth is, you’re never too old to pursue new dreams and achieve them. If you’ve just hit the four-oh, just know that some of the best years of your life are ahead of you, so let’s make the most of them! Chances are, you are now more free than you’ve ever been to pursue whatever you put your mind to. Write down a list of goals you’d like to work towards in the future – it can be something you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time, or a completely new thing that you’ve never considered before. The important thing is getting started and working towards making your dreams come true at any age. Life really does begin at 40!