Confidence, Trauma

14 Ways To Rebuild Your Confidence After Trauma:

By Doug Womack

Let’s get real for a second—trauma sucks. Whether it’s from a toxic relationship, narcissistic abuse, or some other soul-crushing experience, trauma can leave you feeling like your confidence has taken a nosedive off a cliff. But here’s the thing: you can rebuild that confidence. In fact, you’re stronger than you think, and with the right tools, you can rise from the ashes like a phoenix (or at least a really cool pigeon). So, let’s dive into how you can reclaim your confidence and get back to being the awesome person you were born to be.

Understanding Why Trauma Wrecks Your Confidence

First off, let’s talk about why trauma messes with your confidence. When something awful happens, especially something you didn’t see coming, it throws you for a loop. Suddenly, the world feels unpredictable, and your sense of control? Out the window. But here’s the kicker: while you can’t control what happened, you can control how you respond to it. That’s where the magic of rebuilding your confidence begins.


Be Your Own Best Friend: Practice Self-Compassion

If you wouldn’t say it to your best friend, don’t say it to yourself. Practicing self-compassion means treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer to someone you love. When negative thoughts pop up, challenge them. Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can, and that’s enough. Whether it’s giving yourself a break or just being kind to yourself when you mess up, self-compassion is key to rebuilding confidence.

Trust Yourself Again (Because You Totally Can)

Trauma has a nasty habit of making you doubt your own decisions. Time to flip that script. Start by making small decisions every day and sticking to them. Listen to your gut (it’s smarter than you think), and give yourself credit when things go well. Each little victory builds a feedback loop of trust, proving to yourself that, yes, you can rely on your own judgment.

Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries

Let’s talk about boundaries. If you don’t have them, it’s time to get some. Setting and sticking to healthy boundaries protects your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It’s about knowing what you’re okay with and what you’re not—and making sure others respect that. Whether it’s with friends, family, or work, boundaries are essential for reclaiming your confidence.

Professional Help: Therapy Is Your Friend

There’s no shame in getting professional help. In fact, it’s a game-changer. Trauma-focused therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and hypnotherapy can help you process what you’ve been through and move forward. These therapies aren’t just about talking—they’re about healing on a deep level, and they work wonders for rebuilding confidence.

Move Your Body, Heal Your Mind: Try Somatic Therapies

Here’s something you might not know: your body holds onto trauma just like your mind does. That’s where somatic therapies like yoga and improvisational dance come in. Moving your body helps release stored trauma, freeing you up to reconnect with yourself. Plus, it’s a lot of fun—and who doesn’t need more of that?

Get Grounded: Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques

When your mind’s all over the place, grounding techniques can bring you back to the here and now. Whether it’s focusing on your breathing, noticing the sounds around you, or feeling the earth under your feet, grounding helps you stay present and calm. And when you’re calm, it’s a lot easier to feel confident.

Build Your Crew: Create a Support Network

You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Join a community, find a support group, or just hang out with friends who get you. The right people will remind you of your worth and help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. And if you’re in need of more support, consider joining a coaching program or attending a retreat—anything that helps you connect with others on a similar journey.

Take It Slow: Gradual Exposure Builds Confidence

Rebuilding confidence doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s okay. Start by exposing yourself to situations that make you a little uncomfortable—just a little. Over time, these small challenges will add up, making you feel stronger and more capable. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or trying a new hobby, every little step counts.

Redefine Success on Your Own Terms

Forget what society says success should look like. What does success mean to you? Maybe it’s getting out of bed in the morning or saying no to something you don’t want to do. Success doesn’t have to be big and flashy—it just has to matter to you. By redefining success, you take back control and build confidence in a way that’s true to who you are.

Embrace Vulnerability (It’s Not as Scary as It Sounds)

Being vulnerable can be terrifying, especially if you’ve been hurt before. But here’s the thing: vulnerability is where true connection and growth happen. Start small—open up to a trusted friend or even just yourself. Admitting that you need help or that you’re struggling doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. And that’s something to be proud of.

Routine Is Your New Best Friend

Having a daily routine can be a lifesaver when you’re rebuilding confidence. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or working out, sticking to a routine creates stability and reinforces positive habits. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Even if you only have 30 seconds to spare, use that time to do something that supports your mental and emotional health.

Celebrate the Wins, Big and Small

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your wins—no matter how small they seem. Did you set a boundary today? Win. Did you go for a walk when you didn’t feel like it? Another win. Keep a “win diary” and jot down every little success. Over time, these wins will add up, creating a solid foundation of confidence that’s built on your own achievements.

The Bottom Line

Rebuilding confidence after trauma isn’t a straight path—it’s a winding road with plenty of detours. But every step you take is a step toward healing and becoming the best version of yourself. Remember, you’ve survived 100% of your worst days so far, and that’s something to be proud of. So keep going, keep growing, and most importantly, keep being the amazing person you are.

Namaste, and stay awesome.

Book yourself a free consultation today.


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Trauma


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