Self- Confidence is one of the best weapons one can have against the brutal elements of this world. Knowing who, and what you stand for is the only way to ensure that you do not suffer, trying to live up to the expectations of others.
Having a minimalist mindset, gives me the confidence to present myself the way I am, knowing that I AM GOOD ENOUGH, despite what others might think or say.
For me, "I dish up, and it's up to you if you eat or not."
In other words, I work and make the most of what I already have; Myself... I cannot be anyone or anything else but me.
I am a reserved person, but I've always been bold. I do tend to gravitate to behind-the-scenes operations, and I would happily shine the spotlight on others. However, if I have to step into the limelight, my confidence is evident; and it's not based on any idealism such as these:
I see myself as my ONLY competition.
Does anyone remember this catchy tagline?
"Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline" - by Maybelline Cosmetics.
I'll never forget hearing those Ads and the models they used to portray the message.
Those words had a big impact on me; Not the Maybelline products, but I saw and interpreted the words differently, and my perspective was "the power of self-confidence."
I may never be the most intelligent, the most beautiful girl, or regarded as the most successful individual.
However, it's that "je ne sais quoi" quality that has made me stand out, and over the years I've come to realise that I can attribute that quality to my minimalist approach to life.
A little scenario:
I once found myself in a predicament.
I had just arrived at work when I got a call from the VP instructing me to meet and welcome the Opposition Leader of the country (where I was living). I responded ok, but it was NOT ok;
Of all the days, the opposition leader happened to be checking into my hotel when I was wearing my bright orange Italian jacket. My favourite jacket. The very colour that you do not wear on such occasions unless you are the Prime Minister of the county and a die-hard follower (in a literal sense if not careful) ... of which I was none.
I went to meet the VP face-to-face.
"Hey, I'm not being funny, but I think it's inappropriate for me to meet and greet the Opposition Leader wearing the opposing and ruling party's colour since it's a big offense in this country."
The VP (who was of the ruling party) smiled and said.
"Little lady, that's an order."
I made it clear that should there be any repercussions, I would not be held responsible.
There was no way around the order. I just had to face the music.
So, the opposition leader arrived, and I stood with the executives and other managers, and introduced myself when it got to me.
It so happened that the Opposition Leader only followed my order instructions..."
Later in the day, my boss came to me and said.
"Little Lady, there's so much power in you and you don't know it."
I asked him to explain.
He said, I had a crew of executives, meet and greet the Opposition Leader, but who did he follow? That was the most epic check-in that I have seen in all my years.
I responded, "I only said my name and welcome." The VP said, "it's the way you walked up and introduced yourself."
If only I had a video for you to watch you would understand.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we just have to confidently deliver regardless. Respect goes a far way. How we treat others is a reflection of how we feel about ourselves, and having respect and applying empathy is important. Such qualities come naturally to people who are confident and have good esteem. They know their strengths and acknowledge their weaknesses without seeing the need to do things for the sake of impressing others.
Before I identified that my tendencies were classed as minimalism, I sometimes felt like I was a paradox. Yes, I am bold and confident. Yet, I would describe myself as being shy. It never made any sense to me.
I then realised that having good self-esteem was what made me courageous.
Now that I have delved deeper and applied the minimalist principle of "less is more" in a profound way than just tangible possessions. My holistic use of minimalism makes me own my strengths, acknowledge my weakness, and find ways to grow and believe in myself and my abilities to confidently stand and deliver, even if it was to "chat shit"...
In essence, using my knee as my platter means that not having acquired something, or not having access to things that might leave you classed as underprivileged, does not mean you should feel any less, and not have aspirations.
You owe it to yourself to deliver with confidence using the best of your resources. Do not focus on what your limitations are, but focus on being and giving the best of you.
I thank you for reading, and I would be very interested to hear your views on self-confidence, as people might gain it at different stages in their lives.
Image is a self portrait using my Olympus camera.
