7 wonderful practices to build better habits and self-confidence in 2025 and beyond

Earlier this year, in Ep44, 7 wonderful practices to help you build better habits and self-confidence in 2025 I talked about everything you are about to read here. However, sometimes reading something, rather than listening to it helps us process the information better. And, even though we are in May already, there is absolutely no reason why you couldn’t run with these right now. After all, there is no time like the present. 

So, here are 7 wonderful practices that may help you develop better habits and build self-confidence starting now.

Number 1 on our list is establishing a good mindfulness routine

Now, I’ve talked about this in a previous recording titled: A good mindfulness routine, morning and evening practices, and if you haven’t yet, you might want to listen to it for some inspiration. 

But essentially we should all have a good mindfulness routine, a personalised practice of course,  because there is no one size fits all when it comes to mindfulness practices. However, in my experience, and in my opinion, we should spend a little time with this in the morning and in the evening. You can spend as little as 5-15 minutes each time. The key is to do it regularly and consistently for at least a couple of weeks, so it becomes a habit. 

The general consensus is that it takes around 14-21 days for us to develop a new habit. 

Now, I also talked about stretching our bodies and breathing deeply, as an important step when it comes to self-regulation; it is what we call: mindfulness of body and breath.

And, I also suggested many times already, but here we go again: setting an intention for the day. 

Then, practicing gratitude; and not just being thankful. Being thankful is great, but being grateful is a wonderful way to elevate our vibration, if you will. 

Gratitude is a deep lingering feeling, so genuine and so deeply felt that it can anchor us high on the emotional spiral in a sustainable way, because we can always tap into it. If you want to learn more about the emotional spiral please look for Ep2, The Emotional Spiral and the Power of Gratitude. 

Then, there is deep relaxation and meditation, as they are wonderful and can have amazing benefits. 

And then, there is journaling and mindfulness art journaling that I would also recommend to be included in a good mindfulness routine. 

To summarize it all: The point is that we regulate our nervous systems, we bring our minds back to the here and now; to be in the present moment, and that we elevate our vibration, or frequency, if you will, and anchor ourselves there. And that we do this daily, in a way that works for us; not as a chore, even if it might feel like it in the first few days, but as a routine that we are commited to.

Remember, motivation almost never lasts, but commitment and self-discipline can endure and we can utilize them to help ourselves level up. 

Number 2 on our list is practicing positive self talk

Now, I have made two episodes last year relating to this topic. One was titled: Ep11, Thoughts become Us and the other was titled Ep3, How? And Why? A guide to affirmations. Both of these episodes contain some useful information that you might like, so go and listen. 

But basically, our inner dialogue is indeed powerful and it affects our overall outlook on life and our attitude towards it. Negative self-talk reinforces low self-esteem and leads to low self confidence, while positive self-talk can help us power up and promotes a more positive outlook on life and helps us develop more empowering and life affirming habits and attitudes. 

Number 3 on our list is what's called the STOP, START and CONTINUE method. I’ve heard Mel Robbins talk about this in one of her recent videos and since I am a big fan of this method I would like to share it with you. 

It basically means that we take a look at our routines and habits, what are the things we do that empower us, what are the things that bring us joy and help us achieve our goals in general. These are the ones we should CONTINUE. 

Then, what are the things that bring us down, make us feel exhausted mentally and emotionally, that rob us of joy or sabotage us? Well, these are the ones we should STOP. 

And finally, what are those things that we know will make a difference in our lives in a very healthy, positive and sustainable way, because these are the ones we should START. 

It is over simplified, of course, but you get what I mean. So, perhaps, if you like, spend some time with this exercise and take a look at your habits. Grab your journal, if you have one, or just grab a pen and a piece of paper and get started. See what you can come up with. 

I find this to be a wonderfully enlightening practice, because the answers we are looking for, more often than not, are already within us. 

Number 4 on our list here is goal setting and a good reward system 

Now, I’ve recorded an episode titled: “The 5  year plan” (A step-by-step guide), where I talked about goal setting and just how important it is to break down our goals into manageable action steps. So, once again, I would like to highlight the importance of just that. 

Setting goals and achieving them is a wonderful self-confidence booster. But, there is a method to the madness, if you will. 

In essence, if your goal requires more than one step for it to be successfully accomplished, then you should create an action plan around it, and assign resources to each step in order for it to work well for you. 

As an example: You decided that you’ll learn Spanish this year. (That’s nice. But, now what?) So, the main goal is to learn Spanish. Now, think about what you’ll need to do in order to get there. Perhaps, you wish to use a language app or program. Then you should research what is available and if it costs anything for you to sign up. Or perhaps, you wish to find a native Spanish speaker to teach you. Then you should research available teachers either in your area or online, and get in touch to gather information and book your sessions. Then, you also want to make sure to schedule those language lessons in, for the next 6 months or 12 months, and you should make sure to actually take or attend them. 

You see, it all makes a wonderful, well rounded action plan, where each step is part of the big picture, the main goal you are working towards. Each action step is measurable. So, all you have to do is to execute them one by one and as a reward you should celebrate your achievement in some way.

Speaking of celebrating, I’ve made an episode titled Ep37, Our feel good hormones and the “dopamine menu”, where I talked about a sustainable and well structured reward system. So, this might be another thing you wish to listen to. It is important that we celebrate ourselves, it is important that we give ourselves credit for doing what we said we will. 

It will boost your self-confidence and therefore you’ll be more likely to do it more often, working towards your goals. 

Number 5 on our list is carefully curating your social media, news intake, your social connections and generally what you feed your mind and soul

Basically, I could have said, help yourself stay positive and have a “high vibe” as much as possible. I think it is pretty self explanatory, right?! When we feed ourselves negative garbage, so to speak, or let outside influences sabotage our positive state of being, thinking and feeling we will be dragged down. No doubt.

And, although I understand that we can’t cut everyone out of our lives who doesn't have a  “high vibe” (and I’m not at all recommending that here), or that perhaps we wish to watch the news every now and then, or spend some time on social media, and the algorithm throws us something terrible… Of course, it happens, part of life, no big deal. But we should pay attention to just how much and how often we allow in. 

It does make a huge difference, believe me. 

Number 6 on our list is: Knowing when to ask for help

Whatever we need help with…

Now, this might not be so self explanatory, but here me out. 

When we give up the need to do everything alone, or we let go of learned helplessness that we might have adopted, we practice self-awareness and this leads to personal growth and empowerment. It is okay to ask for help, we are social beings, and even though some might say that they are a “lone wolf” or that they need nobody,  it isn’t true and it isn’t healthy. 

We need each other from time to time, we all need a little help here and there, so be brave and ask for it. I am sure there is a right person, or right service or right practitioner to give us a little help, so we can keep moving forward. 

And the last thing, number 7 on our list of practices is to keep learning and to keep growing 

It is an essential human need. If you are interested, you might want to listen to the recording titled: Ep34, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where I talk about this in more detail.

But for now, let me just say this: not many things are guaranteed in life, things can change rapidly; that is for sure. But one thing is certain, you can always rely on the skills you have and the knowledge you have gained. 

So why stop learning? 

First of all, it is exciting and secondly it is self-confidence boosting when we finally master something well enough that we do a great job at it. Or when we learn something new and it comes handy in a given situation. 

Just keep learning.

Find things that interest you and learn about them. Don’t need to over complicate it, just do it. With so many courses available, so many YouTube tutorials, so many books and so many are freely available, we all can find something. Right? 

So, happy learning, wherever you may choose, may it be a practical skill, some new recipes, a new language or something much bigger and life changing. No matter. It will empower you. 

There you have it. 7 practices to help you build better habits and self-confidence in 2025 and beyond.

Disclaimer: 

The concepts, modalities, ideas and mindfulness practices mentioned and discussed in this article are not mental health or health advice. You hold full responsibility for your actions regarding your mental health, physical health and wellbeing. All responsibility remains with you as to how you use the information given in this article. 

It is always safest to consult your healthcare provider or mental health professional.

Mindfulness exercises and practices are not equal to therapy and if at any time you feel the need to reach out to a practitioner such as a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist please do so.