Turner Syndrome Foundation
As part of its mission to support the Turner Syndrome (TS) community, the Turner Syndrome Foundation (TSF) gives individuals with TS free resources to overcome their physical, mental, and social challenges. This helps them reach their full potential and teaches their family members how to support their loved ones with TS. In this post, we will explore the role of confidence in our lives, especially if you or a loved one has a chronic condition like TS.
About Confidence
As children, we are taught that confidence is crucial to have in our lives. It’s something that is intangible, but iti can be felt. It may even be part of our New Year’s resolutions. But, despite all this, do we know where confidence comes from?
We do know that confidence is often tied to self-esteem, or having respect for yourself and your abilities (Merriam-Webster).
Additionally, we know from many studies that it can come from a supportive home environment. A child’s home life can affect their self-esteem and thus their relationships.
Positivity, confidence, and persistence are key in life, so never give up on yourself.
The Importance of Confidence
There are many reasons that confidence is crucial for success. First, it helps with creating and growing relationships. Studies have shown that confident children from positive home environments and who use their confidence to foster relationships with their peers and maintain them as they mature.
Second, confidence creates a sense of fearlessness when completing tasks. Finally, it helps people to have a more positive outlook in life and reflect upon the things they can accomplish.
Ways To Build Confidence
There is not a one-size-fits-all guide for boosting your confidence. But looking at different ideas and what specifically works for you as an individual is the first step. Here are some suggestions on how to boost your self-confidence:
- Positive affirmations: It is often said that “you are your worst critic.” A great way to build confidence is to speak about yourself in a positive manner. By forming a continuous habit of positive affirmation, your self-esteem will be positively impacted.
- Support system: Being with positive people will help reinforce positive thoughts and increase your confidence in accomplishing your goals. It can also help build your relationships with others. To truly be part of a support system, you must take time to care for yourself and your loved ones.
- Stop comparing: Comparison can steal your joy. To be happy, stop comparing yourself to others and instead highlight the good things in your life, no matter how small. Focus on how these things make you feel, stepping towards gaining confidence.
- Live in the present: Emphasize aspects of your life that you can control now. This can help you be less anxious about the future and decrease doubts that you can accomplish your goals.
- Choose to do something for yourself each day: Sometimes, life can be difficult and busy, making it harder to spend time on self-care. Choosing to do something for yourself every day helps you focus on your mental health and increase your confidence.
- Be open with your emotions: While working on your confidence, discussing your emotions and how they affect you is crucial. Seeking a support group that allows people to be honest about their emotions or talking to a trusted confidant can help. Having a safe space or person to talk with about your emotions can build your self-esteem. It can allow you to be open to being your authentic self.
Action Steps To Increase Your Confidence as Someone with TS
If you are someone with TS who wants to continue building your confidence, TSF has resources to help you.
As stated above, having a support system is crucial for increasing your confidence and overcoming your challenges. Star Sisters is a program that can help you. Star Sisters is an online, positive, safe space for individuals with TS, as well as their families and caretakers. There, they can be honest about their emotions and experiences. If you are interested in this program, cllick here.
TSF’s camps and retreats can also help you and your family interact with others. They are holistic experiences that target and refresh the mind and body. They can help you learn about confidence and self-esteem. They can also help you learn how to build a sense of community with members and supporters of the TS community. To learn more, please click here.
Building Your Confidence as a Community Citizen
If you want to build your confidence as a community citizen, you can choose to help the 1 in 2,000 girls and women born with TS by:
Takeaways & Action Steps
- Confidence is a deceivingly simple, but actually complex matter. No one’s perfect, but by starting your journey to increase your self-confidence today, you are one step closer to becoming a better you.
- Using support systems, living in the present, and other positive habits can impact how you view yourself and your relationships. I is important to use these tips to help build your confidence.
- All of these tips are especially recommended if you are an individual with a rare condition like TS. Being self-loving and confident in yourself can help minimize the fear of being judged. As a result, it can help you advocate for your needs and overcome your challenges.
- Caretakers of children with rare conditions like TS can also use these tips. Confidence often starts at home. It’s important to motivate your child with these tips so their life and relationships can be positively impacted by their confidence.
- People who want to support members of their community such as those with TS can use these tips to build their confidence and their relationships to others in their communities.
- TSF’s resources, such as Star Sisters, camps and retreats, and awareness resources can help you grow your confidence as a member of the TS or global community .
Written by Chioma Gabriel, TSF volunteer blog writer. Edited by Elizabeth Rivera, TSF blog content coordinator, and Susan Herman, TSF volunteer lead blog editor.
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TSF Resources
© Turner Syndrome Foundation, 2021
