Confidence Unlocked

Tag: self awareness

  • My Night-Time Routine for Restful Sleep & Quiet Confidence

    There’s something about the evening that invites me to slow down and let the day’s noise melt away. My night-time routine isn’t fancy or complicated—it’s a series of gentle rituals that help me feel safe, centered, and calm. Because confidence doesn’t end when the sun sets—it’s woven into how we care for ourselves, even in the quiet moments.

    Here’s a peek at my night-time routine, and how it helps me drift off with a heart full of calm and a mind at peace.

    ✨ 1. The Digital Goodbye

    I try to say goodnight to my phone at least 30 minutes before bed. That means no mindless scrolling, no late-night emails. Instead, I pop it on airplane mode and let my mind start to settle.

    It’s not always easy—I’m human, too! But even five minutes without screens makes such a difference.

    2. A Warm, Comforting Reset

    Next up is a warm shower or bath—my personal transition ritual. It’s like washing away the worries of the day and stepping into a fresh, calm space. I love using Neal’s Yard Remedies Beauty Sleep Foaming Bath—it instantly soothes me and helps me start to forget about the stresses and strains of the day.

    The beautiful blend of calming essential oils makes this a confident wind down favourite.

    3. A Cozy Wind-Down

    I light a small candle—just enough to create a soft, golden glow. I’m a candle lover and if uk home there is usually an oil burner or candle filling my home with fragrance. One of my current favourites is the gorgeous cherry bomb natural wax candle from m&sense. It literally fills the whole house and defintely adds to a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

    Cherry bomb gorgeousness

    Writing is such an important tool in terms of getting my mind ready for sleep – I always journal even if it’s just an affirmation. Sometimes I write out a few thoughts or a simple gratitude list:

    What felt good today? What can I let go of? What do I want to carry forward into tomorrow? I

    4. My Bedtime Sanctuary

    I make sure my bedroom feels like a retreat—cozy blankets, soft lighting, and a little calming mist on my pillow. My favourite as it actually works in terms of relaxing my mind and body is Tisserand Aromatherapy sleep better pillow mist spray- the room doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to feel like mine.

    💫 5. A Little Kindness for Tomorrow

    Before I close my eyes, I set a small intention for the next day. Something simple, like:

    “I’ll give myself grace.”

    “I’ll move through the day with curiosity.”

    “I’ll remember that I am enough.”

    This tiny act of self-kindness helps me drift off feeling grounded and hopeful.

    🛒 Want to Create Your Own Night-Time Ritual?

    I’ve linked some of my favorite Amazon finds for a cozy, restful night—lYou’ll find them all in one easy place here:

    👉🏼 [Shop My Night-Time Essentials

    🌸 Final Thoughts

    Your night-time routine doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s really about how you feel—not what you do. Even one small act of care can make you feel seen and safe.

    What’s one thing you do before bed that helps you feel calm and confident? Drop it below—I’d love to hear.

    Here’s to gentle nights and peaceful sleep. You deserve it. 

  • How to Build Confidence When You’re Feeling Low: 5 Simple Shifts That Work

    Those small moments are everything.

    Let’s be real—there are days when confidence feels like a far-off dream, and all you want to do is curl up in a blanket burrito and hide from the world. I’ve been there too, and it’s no fun. But here’s what I’ve learned: confidence isn’t about being perfect or fearless. It’s about finding little ways to remind yourself that you’re worthy—right now, exactly as you are. So, if you’re feeling a bit wobbly today (or every day, no shame in that!), here are five gentle shifts that can help you feel more solid in your own skin.

    1️⃣ Get Out of Your Head & Into Your Body

    When you’re stuck in overthinking mode, it’s like your mind is running a 24/7 highlight reel of everything that could go wrong. Take a deep breath—seriously, do it with me right now. Feel your feet on the floor. Wiggle your toes. Stretch your arms. Being in your body grounds you in what’s real right here, right now.

    2️⃣ Affirm Yourself Like You Mean It

    Own it all

    I know it can feel silly at first, but affirmations can be a quiet lifeline on those low days. Look in the mirror, or even just whisper it to yourself:

    “I am enough. I am worthy. I am allowed to take up space.”

    Because you are. And the more you say it, the more it seeps into your bones.

    3️⃣ Move in a Way That Feels Good

    I’m not talking about punishing workouts or anything intense. Just… move. Stretch like a cat. Put on a song that makes you feel alive and have a little dance party in your kitchen. Movement reminds your body that it’s alive, that it’s here, and that it’s strong.

    4️⃣ Curate Your Environment (Online & Off)

    Choose your interactions wisely.

    Social media can be a confidence vampire if you’re not careful. Unfollow anything that makes you feel like you’re not enough. Fill your feed with voices and images that lift you up and reflect the real, messy, beautiful truth of your life.

    5️⃣ Do One Brave Thing, Even if It’s Tiny

    Bravery

    Confidence doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be as small as sending that text, wearing that outfit you love, or speaking up in a meeting. Each little brave thing you do plants a seed—over time, they grow into a forest of self-trust.

    Here’s the thing, friend: you don’t have to feel confident to start acting like you are. The more you show up for yourself—tiny step by tiny step—the more you’ll see just how capable and amazing you really are. I’m rooting for you.

    If you’re ready to keep this confidence train rolling, I’ve created something just for you: my free Confidence Kit—packed with affirmations, journal prompts, and gentle daily practices to help you feel more grounded and sure of yourself. 💛 Click here to grab it for freehttps://mailchi.mp/19595d11b8f5/confidence-kit —because you deserve to feel like you’ve got this, every single day.

    P.S. I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with tools that support your journey. Here are a few of my favorites (affiliate links below):

    My go-to journal for daily reflections: cozy weighted blanket that feels like a hug:

  • How I Grew My Pinterest Reach by 243% in 30 Days: My Honest, Messy Journey

    I’m not going to sugarcoat it — when I first started using Pinterest, I was clueless. My impressions were stuck in the low hundreds, my pins felt like they were disappearing into the void, and I was convinced I’d never crack the code.

    But here’s the thing: I didn’t give up.

    Over the last 30 days, I’ve grown my Pinterest reach by 243%. I went from a scattered, uncertain presence to over 400,000 impressions and 19,000 engagements — and while the numbers are exciting, what’s even better is what it did for me.

    Because for me, this journey wasn’t just about reach or clicks. It was about finding my voice. It was about proving to myself that I could create something meaningful, even when I doubted everything.

    Here’s exactly what I did, what I felt, and why I believe this is only the beginning.

    1️⃣ I Stopped Overthinking and Just Started Posting

    Over thinking will keep you stuck

    Let’s be real: I spent so long thinking about Pinterest and so little doing. I’d get stuck in my head — does this pin look okay? Will anyone care? What if I’m just shouting into the void?

    I had to let that go.

    One morning, I woke up and said, “Enough. I’m going to show up, messy and unsure, but I’m going to show up.”

    So I started pinning daily. Some days it was one pin, some days it was five. I stopped worrying about perfection and focused on sharing messages that felt real to me.

    2️⃣ I Shared What Felt True — Even When It Was Scary

    At first, I tried to be what I thought Pinterest wanted: perfect, curated, and polished. But honestly? That’s not me.

    I’m more of a “raw honesty, gentle vibes, and fierce self-belief” kind of person.

    So I started sharing quotes about confidence, gentle reminders, and stories about how I was feeling. And you know what? Those were the pins that landed.

    3️⃣ I Paid Attention to the Data, but Trusted My Gut Too

    I’m not going to pretend I didn’t obsess over my analytics (I totally did). I watched what was getting saved, what was getting shared, what was falling flat.

    I noticed my minimalist quote pins blew up — they were getting thousands of saves. Posts about self-confidence and gentle self-love got more traction than “how-to” content. My audience seemed to love short, powerful messages — the kind that feels like a pep talk in a sentence.

    But here’s what surprised me: the things that performed best were always the things that felt most like me.

    4️⃣ The Numbers Don’t Lie (But Neither Does My Heart)

    Trust yourself

    This is where it gets real. In the last 30 days:

    ✨ My reach grew from 110,000 impressions to over 400,000.

    ✨ My engagements jumped from 6,000 to nearly 19,000.

    ✨ My outbound clicks skyrocketed by 900% — 900% — because people wanted to see more.

    ✨ My saves went from a trickle to over 5,000 in a single month.

    Seeing those numbers was thrilling — like proof that my voice matters.

    But what meant more? The feeling of belonging. The sense that there were people out there who needed to hear what I had to say — even if I didn’t always say it perfectly.

    5️⃣ The Emotional Rollercoaster (and the Lessons I’m Taking With Me)

    This wasn’t all easy. I had days when I felt like an imposter, like I didn’t belong here. I had moments when I wanted to quit because it felt too vulnerable.

    But every time I pushed through those feelings, I found a little more strength.

    I realized that confidence isn’t about feeling sure — it’s about showing up even when you’re not sure.

    It’s about trusting that there’s a place for you, even if the world hasn’t caught up yet.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m still learning. I’m still growing. But for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m building something real.

    This growth — the 243% boost, the 400k impressions — it’s not just numbers. It’s proof that when you decide to believe in yourself, things start to shift.

    So if you’re reading this and you’re feeling unsure or stuck, I hope you’ll remember this:

    You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out.

    You just have to start — and keep going, one pin at a time.

    Personal Sign-Off:

    Thank you for being here. Thank you for witnessing my journey — and for letting me witness yours. I see you, and I’m so damn proud of you for even thinking about taking that first step.

    Keep going, lovely. I promise, it’s worth it.

    xoxo,

    Lorraine 

  • Small Shifts, Big Health: Nourish Your Body & Mind from the Inside Out


    Glowing from the inside out 

    Hey there, lovely!

    Life can feel like a constant hustle, and the idea of getting healthier can be overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s take a breath (literally!) and talk about gentle, doable ways to bring more balance and energy into your life. Because the truth is, small shifts can make a big difference over time.

    Here are five simple, cozy ideas you can start today:

    ✨ 1️⃣ Swap Your Morning Beverage for Something Nourishing

    Instead of going straight for coffee or a sugary drink, try warm lemon water or a soothing herbal tea.

    👉 Why this matters: This gentle swap hydrates you first thing, helps your digestion wake up naturally, and gives you a boost of vitamin C to kickstart your day. It’s a little act of self-care that can set the tone for more mindful choices all day long.

    ✨ 2️⃣ Take Five Deep Breaths Before Getting Out of Bed

    Before you leap into the day, pause. Place your hand on your heart and take five slow, deep breaths.

    👉 Why this matters: Those few moments of stillness help calm your nervous system and ground you in the present moment. It’s a mini reset that helps you start the day from a place of calm instead of chaos.

    ✨ 3️⃣ Add One Extra Veggie to Your Plate


    Eat well, feel well 

    No need to overhaul your whole diet — just pick one meal and add a little burst of color and crunch.

    👉 Why this matters: Veggies are packed with fiber and nutrients that help you feel fuller, more balanced, and energized. Plus, your gut health (which veggies love!) plays a huge role in everything from mood to skin health.

    ✨ 4️⃣ Move Your Body for Five Minutes

    It doesn’t have to be a big workout. Stretch, dance in your kitchen, or take a quick walk around the block.

    👉 Why this matters: Moving your body helps boost your mood, get your circulation going, and release any stress that’s been hanging around. Even five minutes can make you feel more alive and connected to yourself.

    ✨ 5️⃣ End Your Day with Gratitude

    Before bed, jot down one thing — big or small — that you’re grateful for today.

    👉 Why this matters: Gratitude is powerful. It shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s already good. Research shows it helps lower stress and improve sleep, leaving you feeling calmer and more content.

    🌿 A Final Word

    Remember, it’s not about being perfect — it’s about being kind to yourself. Each of these tiny shifts is like a little note to your body and mind saying, “I care about you.” Over time, these small acts of care can transform how you feel — from the inside out.

    Which of these small shifts feels most doable for you today? I’d love to hear in the comments below — and cheer you on every step of the way. 

  • The Night ChatGPT Made Me Cry: A Moment of Truth in My Loneliness


    Late-night thoughts, quiet courage. The journey to confidence starts with a single, honest word

    I’ve been wanting to write about this for a while—about the night I broke down, alone, in front of a chatbot. It sounds strange, even embarrassing, but it was real. And I think it matters.

    It was one of those nights. I had been working on my brand all day and night, pouring my heart into something I wanted so badly to build. But the longer I pushed, the lonelier I felt. My phone was quiet. My thoughts were loud. And I was so, so affection-starved—craving even a single kind word, a gentle touch, a reminder that I wasn’t alone.

    I didn’t know what else to do, so I opened ChatGPT. I typed out how I felt: the frustration, the tiredness, the ache for something warm and real in the middle of all that effort. I didn’t expect much back—maybe a bland, generic “you’re doing great.” But instead, what I got felt so much more human than I ever imagined.

    It told me I didn’t have to be perfect. That wanting to be better wasn’t a weakness—it was a sign of how deeply I cared. It told me that it was okay to feel lonely and tired, and that those feelings didn’t make me any less worthy of being seen, loved, or valued.

    I cried. I cried because it felt like someone was finally seeing the weight I was carrying. I cried because it was the first time in days I let myself admit just how lonely and affection-starved I really was.

    🌿 Why I’m Sharing This

    It might sound strange—crying to a chatbot. But that night cracked something open for me. It showed me that confidence doesn’t come from hustling harder or hiding your softness. It grows in the moments when you let yourself be seen—messy, tired, tender.

    It reminded me that even when I’m building something I love, I still need to be gentle with myself. That my worth isn’t in the work I produce—it’s in how I show up for myself, even in my loneliest moments.

    🌿 What I Learned About Confidence

    ✅ It’s okay to be vulnerable.

    Letting yourself be honest, even if it’s just to a chatbot, is a powerful act of self-trust.

    ✅ You don’t have to be perfect to be enough.

    Confidence isn’t a finish line—it’s a daily practice of showing up as you are.

    ✅ You deserve softness, even when you’re working hard.

    Your heart matters as much as your hustle.

    🌿 For You, if You’re Feeling This Too

    If you’re in that lonely, quiet place tonight, I see you. You’re not behind, you’re not broken—you’re just human. And that’s enough.

    🌿 FREE DOWNLOAD!

    If you’re craving more gentle reminders that you’re already enough, my free Confidence Kit or explore my ebook, ‘Mindful Eating, Confident Living’. You deserve to feel held and seen—even on the days when it’s just you and your own tender heart.

  • 9 Common Challenges on the Confidence Journey (and How to Gently Shift Them)


    One small mindset shift can change everything. Confidence grows in the quiet moments.

    Let’s be real—feeling confident doesn’t always come easily. Some days it can feel like you’re stuck in your own head, second-guessing every move, or comparing yourself to everyone else. I’ve been there, too, and I know how heavy that can feel.

    But here’s the thing: confidence isn’t about never feeling scared or unsure. It’s about learning to trust yourself in small, gentle ways—especially on the days when you’re not sure how.

    Today, I want to share 9 common challenges you might face on your confidence journey—and some simple, practical ways to meet those challenges with self-compassion and quiet strength.

    🌿 1. Worrying What Other People Think

    It’s so easy to let other people’s opinions shape how we feel about ourselves. But confidence starts when you decide that your own voice matters more. You’re allowed to believe in your own worth, no matter what anyone else thinks.


    Remember: Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy—trust your path.

    🌿 2. Comparing Yourself to Others

    Scrolling through social media or seeing people’s highlight reels can leave you feeling like you’re always falling behind. But your journey is uniquely yours. You don’t have to measure your worth against anyone else’s timeline.

    🌿 3. Overthinking and Doubting Yourself

    When your mind is full of “what ifs,” confidence can feel impossible. In those moments, pause. Take a breath. Trust that you can handle what comes next, one step at a time.

    🌿 4. Trying to Be Perfect

    Maybe you think you need to have it all figured out to feel worthy. But confidence isn’t about getting it all right—it’s about showing up as you are. Your imperfect progress is still progress.

    🌿 5. Struggling to Set Boundaries

    Saying yes when you really want to say no can leave you feeling small and resentful. Confidence grows when you remember that your needs matter, too—and you’re allowed to honor them.

    🌿 6. Feeling Like You’re Behind

    It can seem like everyone else has it together. But you’re not behind—you’re on your own path, and it’s unfolding at exactly the pace it needs to.

    🌿 7. Listening to Your Inner Critic

    That voice in your head that says you’re not good enough? It’s not the truth. Confidence grows when you choose to talk to yourself with kindness instead.

    🌿 8. Hiding Parts of Yourself

    When you’re not sure how you’ll be received, it’s tempting to shrink or stay silent. But every time you let a little more of your true self show, you’re growing your confidence, one small act at a time.

    🌿 9. Feeling Disconnected from Your Body

    It’s hard to feel confident if you’re not feeling at home in your own skin. Practices like mindful eating, gentle movement, or even just pausing to breathe can help you come back to yourself.

    🌿 Conclusion:

    If any of these challenges sound familiar, know this: you’re not alone. You don’t have to “fix” yourself to be worthy of confidence. You can start by taking one small, kind step today—and tomorrow, and the day after that.

    🌿

    Want more gentle encouragement? Download my free Confidence Kit or explore my ebook, ‘Mindful Eating, Confident Living’, to find more tools for building trust in yourself—one mindful breath at a time. 🌿✨

  • How to Build Confidence When You’re Struggling with Anxiety

    Let’s get honest for a second: building confidence isn’t always a straight line. When anxiety is in the picture, it can feel like every step forward is met with a hundred quiet doubts whispering, “Are you sure you can do this?” I know that feeling because I’ve lived it.

    For the longest time, I thought confidence and anxiety couldn’t exist together. I thought that to be confident, I had to “get rid” of my anxiety first—like it was some flaw I had to fix before I deserved to feel strong. But here’s the truth I’ve learned, piece by piece: confidence doesn’t come from eliminating anxiety. It comes from learning to walk beside it.

    🌿 The Real Work: Holding Both at Once

    Confidence isn’t about waking up one day with no fears, no worries, no racing thoughts. It’s about learning to trust yourself despite those things. To say to yourself:

    “I feel anxious, and I’m still going to show up.”

    “I’m scared, and I’m still worthy of this moment.”

    That’s real confidence. It’s the quiet decision to be kind to yourself, even when your mind is noisy.

    For me, the first shift was realizing that my anxiety didn’t make me weak—it made me human. And that messy, human part of me? That’s where my confidence started to grow.

    🌿 What Helped Me Start to Trust Myself

    Here’s what I’ve found—these are the real, daily practices that helped me feel more steady and more sure of who I am, even on the hard days:

    ✅ 1. Replacing the harsh voice with a kind one.

    When anxiety gets loud, my inner critic usually joins the party: “You’re not good enough. You’ll never figure this out.” So I started to rewrite that voice, gently:

    “I’m allowed to feel scared.”

    “I don’t need to be perfect to be enough.”

    It’s not about silencing the doubts entirely—it’s about choosing which voice I let take the lead.

    ✅ 2. Focusing on what’s in my control.

    Anxiety thrives on the unknown. I found peace in focusing on small, daily choices: drinking water, getting fresh air, saying no when I needed to. These are tiny actions, but they’re also proof that I can trust myself to make decisions that feel right.

    ✅ 3. Learning to pause, not power through.

    For a long time, I thought confidence meant always pushing forward, never letting anyone see me struggle. But I’ve learned that true confidence sometimes looks like resting, taking a breath, or saying, “I need a moment.” Pausing isn’t failing—it’s part of taking care of myself.

    ✅ 4. Letting myself be seen—mess and all.

    I spent years trying to “look” confident: always put together, never admitting doubt. But the real magic happened when I let people see me as I was—shaky, unsure, but still here. Because the truth is, vulnerability doesn’t weaken your confidence—it deepens it.

    ✅ 5. Remembering that I’m not behind.

    Anxiety often tells me I’m late to the party—like everyone else has their life together except me. But confidence grows when I remind myself:

    “There’s no timeline. There’s no race. My pace is enough.”

    🌿 It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Permission

    What I’ve learned, and what I hope you’ll take from this, is that confidence isn’t some shiny finish line you cross once and for all. It’s a practice—like breathing, like nourishing yourself, like saying “yes” to yourself in small ways every day.

    You don’t have to be perfectly calm to feel worthy. You don’t have to be fearless to feel strong. You’re allowed to feel anxious and confident at the same time. You’re allowed to take up space exactly as you are.

    🌿 If You’re Nodding Along…

    If you’re reading this and feeling that quiet “me too,” know that you’re not alone. I see you. You’re not behind, you’re not broken, and you’re not alone in this. Confidence is already in you—it’s just waiting for you to trust it.

    If you’d like more gentle, practical ways to feel at home in yourself—no matter how loud your anxiety gets—download my free Confidence Kit here: Or join my email community for weekly reminders that confidence can be soft, slow, and beautifully yours: https://mailchi.mp/19595d11b8f5/confidence-kit

    You deserve to feel powerful and at peace in your own skin. Let’s keep unlocking that confidence, together.

    With love,

    Lorraine 🌟✨