So this entry, I've decided, will be the tricks I've discovered about Self Confidence over the years!

A little background on how I discovered these tips will, of course, be provided for example purposes only.

When I was raped in eighth grade -- and in fact all through my Middle School years -- I had a problem keeping my head up. I looked to the floor, at people's feet and never really made much direct eye contact. In doing so no one really ever got to see my face or smile or eyes, no one could ever tell if I was happy or sad or upset. A few weeks after I was raped it was even worse for me -- why should I keep my head up when I haven't for all these years already, right? The trick is simple! When you're feeling at your worst you have to put on your bravest smile and hold your head up high. It's not about looking pompous or something like that, it's about showing the world you're confident enough to look even the sky in the face! Make eye contact, and if you happen to trip, laugh it off and keep your chin up. No matter how bad you feel, I can garuntee that this will boost up that confidence in an instant!

I've talked about the smiling issue before. If you walk around or drive around with a frown, who's going to notice you? If you aren't noticed, doesn't it make you feel a little worse about yourself sometime? I know it makes me feel like crap about myself when I'm out and I can't even get one person to look my way. A smile, no matter how grungy or frumpy you look, is going to turn heads guys! Promise! So when you're out, smile at everyone and smile as often as possible whenever you can! Smiling, by the way, also makes your mood better, and when you're in a good mood it's so much easier to smile, huh?

We're all scared of something, and don't be one of those people that tells me you have no fear but fear itself. That's such a crock, you know it. But, when you're feeling the most frightened is the best time to smile in the face of whatever you fear and go at it head on. Feeling nervous about a test? Study and go into the classroom with a positive attitude and a smile! You'll probably do better than you originally thought! Big date tonight? Make a playlist on your computer or iPod that has "Pump Up" music on it (i.e. T.I., Rhianna, Akon, etc.) and blast it as you're getting ready. Dance around in your undies, take silly pics of you (clothed of course!) and have a blast! Not only will this get your mind off of how nervous you are, but it's going to make you exude suave confidence when the lucky lady/man comes over for the date!

The old Dr. Pepper commercial couldn't have been more right in it's jingle. "Be You, Do What You Do." Is exactly what this trick is about. Don't change yourself just to fit into what society deems normal. Be yourself, thrive on your love of collecting old paperclips or stale gum! When you have the confidence to be you, everything you do is going to show that you love and care for who you are and that you have the confidence to be an individual. People love you for your quirks (I burn myself with my straightener and am obsessed with reality shows, my boyfriend thinks it's the most weird, crazy thing in the world but I think deep down he loves me for my weirdness!) so show them off!

Ladies, Gents, I can't stress this enough. Having your pants hug just below your ass (guys) is not in the least bit attractive. Put a belt on it, please, or most people won't pay you a lick of attention except to laugh. Guys, for you it's a bit easier. There are rules to dressing, yes, but at the same time you don't have so many *ahem* places to cover so you aren't pulling a Janet on the world. Wear pants that FIT nicely (sometimes a little tight is good, but NUT HUGGERS are really NOT that cute on a male... leave something to the imagination?) and wear a shirt that doesn't have too many holes or stains on it that fits you properly. Now, ladies, for us it's a bit more shady -- this line of "appropriate" dressing. I've shown you examples of how and how not to dress in a previous entry, so you can always go back to that for reference, but in general the rule is: Some cleavage is okay, don't show us your ass AND/OR thong (no one likes whale tail, kay?) and minimal midriff is preferred. By dressing more appropriately, you're going to feel better about yourself. I get more looks when I'm wearing jeans and a tshirt than I do wearing formal clothes or looking like a hooker. :)

There is it. My five tricks to Self Confidence. Follow these and I know you'll get results. In the end, it is ultimately you that makes the self confidence work, but there's no problem with using these little tricks to boost that gorgeous ego, right?

Sincerely,

The Fat Girl