From Self-Doubt to Self-Trust: How to Grow Unshakable Confidence

Self-doubt is a silent saboteur. It whispers that you’re not ready, that you’re not good enough, that you need more experience, more credentials, or more approval before you take the next step. For many women in midlife, this internal critic has been a lifelong companion, shaping decisions and dimming ambitions. But what if you could silence the doubt and replace it with something far more powerful—unshakable self-trust?

Confidence isn’t about never feeling fear or doubt. It’s about learning to navigate those feelings with resilience and self-assurance. It’s about trusting yourself even when the path ahead isn’t entirely clear. When you build self-trust, you step into a version of yourself that makes decisions with conviction, pursues opportunities with courage, and stands firm in your worth.

If you’re ready to shift from self-doubt to self-trust, here’s how you can cultivate the confidence that will transform both your personal and professional life.

1. Embrace Radical Self-Love and Acceptance

The foundation of confidence is self-love, but not the surface-level kind that’s all about bubble baths and affirmations (though those can help too!). True self-love means embracing your whole self—your strengths, your quirks, and even your imperfections. It means recognizing that your worth isn’t tied to productivity, external validation, or meeting impossible standards.

Start by challenging negative self-talk. When doubt creeps in, ask yourself: “Would I say this to my best friend?” If not, it’s time to rewrite the script. Treat yourself with the same kindness and encouragement that you offer others. Confidence grows when you stop battling yourself and start believing in your intrinsic worth.

2. Let Go of People-Pleasing and Learn to Tolerate Disappointment

Many women have been conditioned to prioritize others’ needs over their own. While being considerate and compassionate are strengths, people-pleasing can be a major confidence killer. If you’re constantly seeking approval or avoiding conflict to keep others happy, you’re likely sacrificing your own needs, desires, and authenticity in the process.

One of the most empowering things you can do is learn to tolerate disappointing people. Not everyone will agree with your choices, and that’s okay. Confidence means making decisions that align with your truth, even if they don’t make everyone else comfortable. Set boundaries, say no without guilt, and trust that the right people will respect and support you for who you are—not just for what you do for them.

3. Tap Into Your Inner Wisdom

You already have the answers you seek—you just need to trust yourself enough to listen. Women often doubt their intuition, overanalyze decisions, and second-guess their instincts. But your inner wisdom is a powerful guide, and the more you tune into it, the stronger your confidence will become.

Start by cultivating mindfulness and self-reflection. Take time to check in with yourself before making decisions. Pausing and asking yourself, “What do I really want?” can help you reconnect with your inner wise woman, the part of you that knows exactly what she wants. The more you practice trusting yourself in small moments, the more you’ll feel confident making bigger life choices.

---

WILD Woman Art Tip - Personal Confidence Deck

Materials: Paper and Paint Sticks

Activity: Find a comfortable, calming place to work and take some deep breaths.

Imagine someone you love or care about and feel the sensation of love in your heart and in your body.

Cut your paper into smaller sizes.

Draw different shaped hearts. Allow yourself to experiment with color. Play!

When your hearts are complete, write yourself a love note in the back or even within the art piece itself. Write things that you would say to a good friend you love and care for.

Journal prompt: How was it to dedicate beauty and kindness to myself?

Confidence is a Practice, Not a Destination

Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you build through action, self-compassion, and trust. The more you practice self-love, set boundaries, and listen to your inner wisdom, the more unshakable your confidence will become.

If you’re ready to ditch self-doubt and fully step into your power, start today. Choose one action—whether it’s speaking kindly to yourself, saying no without guilt, or trusting your intuition—and commit to it. Over time, these small shifts will add up, and you’ll find yourself standing taller, speaking louder, and moving through life with a sense of confidence that no one can take away.

Your most confident, powerful self is already within you. It’s time to let her lead.

---

Myriam Martinez is an Art Therapist and Art Based Coach based out of Northern California. She gently guides women to connect to their WILD through the art process and deeper connection to self and supports them in building fierce self-confidence and feeling empowered. Her calling in this life is to teach women the power and importance of putting themselves first, loving themselves fiercely, and tapping into their creative intuition in order to bring more happiness, success, and ease into their lives.

To learn more about Myriam click here: https://www.myriammartinezcoaching.com/