Confidence Unlocked

Tag: self confidence. self improvement

  • 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 

  • 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. 🌿✨