Self Reflection + The Road To Confidence

Do you ever feel like you’re your own bully? Sometimes our inner voice can be harsher than any external critic. This week, I dive into how constantly beating ourselves up mentally can dent our confidence and affect daily life.

Dyslexia might be a label that contributes to how we see ourselves, but it’s not the entire story. In this episode, I explore why we sabotage our self-esteem and how to shift that mindset by taking practical steps. If you’ve felt stuck, especially when it comes to self-belief, you’ll find this episode both reassuring and inspiring.

Being Your Own Bully

We often underestimate the power of our internal dialogue. Negative self-talk does more damage than many of us realise. It can creep in slowly and soon become a habit.

“I felt like I was giving myself a pounding in my own head, and it really knocked my confidence.”

When you repeatedly tell yourself that you’re not good enough, smart enough, or creative enough, it starts to shape your actions. You might hold back on opportunities or stop trying altogether. Recognising this destructive loop is a key first step in turning things around.

Why Dyslexia Is Just One Part Of The Story

Dyslexia comes with unique challenges. You might stumble over words when you’re tired or struggle to process certain information at speed. But dyslexia isn’t your entire identity. It’s part of what makes you unique, not a verdict on your worth.

The reality is, you’re more than a label. You have hidden strengths, like creative thinking, problem-solving, or empathy. By focusing on what you can do instead of fixating on what you find difficult, you’ll begin to see yourself in a different light. Over time, you’ll discover that dyslexia is only one piece of the puzzle.

Simple Ways To Start Building Confidence

Confidence doesn’t appear overnight. It’s a skill that grows step by step. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to start, here are some basic moves:

• Celebrate small wins: Notice moments where you did something positive or handled a tough situation well.
• Practise self-compassion: Be kinder in your internal monologue. Replace harsh words with encouraging ones.
• Write down insights: Jot things in a notebook or on your phone. Seeing your thoughts on paper helps untangle worries.
• Try new tasks: Experience builds confidence. Even if it’s something small, doing new activities keeps you open-minded.

These steps might sound simple, but they can be surprisingly powerful. Repetition is your friend when you’re rewiring negative thinking patterns. It might feel odd at first, yet that’s part of the process.

Turning Knowledge Into Action

Learning something is great, but lasting change only happens when you apply it. If you’re serious about growing your confidence, take the first step today. Pick one small habit or attitude tweak. Perhaps it’s stopping yourself when you notice self-criticism. Or maybe it’s using a better word when you talk about your abilities.

Over time, those small actions add up. Think of it this way: every positive shift gives you a little victory. When you string enough victories together, you start to see yourself in a different light. You realise you are valuable and capable, even if you feel a bit wobbly at times.

• Recognise negative thought patterns quickly
• Assign more mental space to your strengths
• Use small, consistent habits to reinforce self-belief
• Remember that you’re more than a label

If you want more guidance, you’re invited to join my next confidence & dyslexia webinar. Sign up here if you’d like extra insights and live support on building self-esteem with dyslexia.

Key Takeaways

• Stop the cycle of harsh self-talk — it always begins with awareness.
• Dyslexia isn’t your definition; it’s just one aspect of who you are.
• Confidence grows step by step, just like any other skill.
• Small daily actions often create the biggest changes over time.

Curious to learn more? The full episode is right above this post. Give it a listen, and see how these ideas can help you become less of a bully to yourself and more of a supportive friend.