How to Feel Confident and Like Yourself Again: 5 Things to Do Every Day for 7 Days

What do you do when you don't recognise yourself in the mirror?

Let's be so for real. If you have been waking up seven days in a row feeling tragic, looking in the mirror going "who the f*ck is this b*tch?"... this one is for you.

We so underestimate the power of what is actually within our control when we are feeling like a sad sack of sh*t. And I am not going to talk about the mediocre things. Sleep, drink water, all of that. We get it. We know it. And if you are not doing those things, we have a bigger conversation to have.

This is about simple things you can anchor into TODAY that ripple into your whole entire day. I am big on showing up as a high value woman... acting like the version of you that you want to become, so that you become her. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to bridge the gap between where you are right now and where you want to go.

So let's get into it, shall we? Drumroll, please.

1. What should I do first thing in the morning to feel confident?

When you wake up in the morning, I need you to put your headphones on. And I need you to be prepared. I don't want you making decisions from the very get-go. This is a PRE-decided decision.

I'm in a giving mood, so you get two options.

Option one: a curated baddie playlist that you have made. I'm talking certified, off-your-tits baddie anthems that speak to your soul like no other and make you feel like THAT girl. If the music you normally listen to makes you feel like a mediocre piece of sh*t... switch it up. Drake, a bit more house, pop, whatever it is. It's not my job to decide. You know how music makes you feel. Need inspo? Get on Spotify. But your anthem can't be what anybody else is saying. It has to speak YOUR language. I start with one song and build out from there.

Option two: motivational words. I listen to a motivational recording I have curated myself (it's going into my app), and there are a lot of free ones out there too. When I'm hearing about acting like future you, self-belief and self-worth, it's planting the seeds. Your mind is at its most fertile in the morning. It's your biggest opportunity to flood it with a feeling and carry that into the rest of your day. And when it comes to creating a life you're obsessed with... it's all about that feeling.

My headphones literally live next to my bed. I have a really busy mind, as does the rest of the world, and if I sit in my thoughts straight away they bubble away and can dictate the tone of my whole day. I still do my visualisation and my mindset work every morning. This just quiets my own thoughts first.

Try something. If it doesn't land that morning, that's fine. You have another six days to figure out what works. Some days I need music, some days motivation. I bob and weave between them.

2. Is it okay to start the day with coffee?

This one might be controversial, and I'm here for the controversial, because I just don't give a f*ck. You are going to have something you absolutely LOVE to drink in the morning.

I know all about the studies on coffee on an empty stomach. I get it. But also... let me f*cking live my life. Some days I don't want to eat, I just want to caffeinate, because that hit makes me feel nothing short of extraordinary. I've done no caffeine. I've done limited caffeine. And honestly? I was miserable. So this is what works for me. Your body, your call.

Coffee, matcha, an energy drink, a herbal tea... whatever makes you feel alive and like life is worth living. And if you're sensitive to caffeine and it doesn't feel good, have a coconut water instead and get some electrolytes into you. I actually neck my electrolytes first, then straight into the coffee. Maybe for you it's breakfast. Not gonna judge.

The point is the anchor. Music going, vibes going, maybe a little dance around the living room... and something you love in your hand.

3. Does putting effort into how you look really make you feel more confident?

Number three: you are going to give a f*ck about your presentation.

I'm sorry, I don't have time for your basic b*tch attitude. That's a hard word, but it is so necessary... because your basic approach to the day is quite literally a reflection of what you think of yourself and how you want to show up to the world. People might say you're vain. Conceited. Go f*ck yourself.

When a woman feels good about herself, she RADIATES. She owns her space. She carries herself differently. And you cannot tell me that when you put effort into your hair, your makeup, your outfit, you don't feel better. Straight up.

It doesn't need to be complicated. The gym is my runway. Let's be so f*cking for real. I love styling an activewear set. Makeup done, hair slicked, an immaculate set on, smelling like an absolute snack. I walk in feeling incredible, my session is better, and when I go and buy my coffee afterwards I'm glowing.

Your basic routine could literally be slicking your hair back, a moisturiser that makes your skin look dewy, a lick of mascara and a lip balm. That's it. You don't need a hundred steps or the most expensive products on the planet. Simple is best. What matters is that you are still making the effort... still declaring "I care about how I feel AND how I show up". The way you show up is a byproduct of what you truly think of yourself.

4. Why should I train when I don't feel like it?

Extra brownie points: get a training session in. You cannot diminish the power of a training session. To quote Legally Blonde, "endorphins make you happy". You know the rest.

You do one hard thing for the day. You show up when you don't want to, when you don't feel like it. And once you do one hard thing and feel good doing it, it ripples into the next thing.

Then stack it. Attach something to the end of that workout that you're really looking forward to, so the thing you didn't feel like doing comes with a reward. For me, that's training and then a coffee afterwards. Yes, that's a lot of coffee. I front-load my caffeine and I'm done by midday, two o'clock at the latest. That's my stack.

5. How do I stop decision fatigue ruining my morning?

Pre-decide everything. When it comes to making your life easier, autopilot decisions are EVERYTHING.

• Your music or motivation for the morning. Playlists ready to go.
• Your outfit, set out the night before.
• Your wardrobe, cleared out. Sis, get rid of the basic stuff that doesn't align. Even if you are left with five outfits on rotation, if you feel fabulous in all five, that beats the analysis paralysis every single morning.
• Your drink. Find your balance and what makes you feel good.
• Your skincare and makeup. One basic routine that feels good.
• Your workouts. Locked in your app so you go in, do the session, no thought.

Take out as much decision fatigue as you possibly can and you can put your time, effort and energy into the sh*t that actually matters.

What happens when you start acting like her?

Here is the part people so readily forget. When you make a decision that is so different from what you would normally do, something little inside you goes... wait. Am I actually this woman? Can I be this type of woman? Is this me?

It feels a bit weird to start with. Then it starts to feel AMAZING. You show up differently. You hold different conversations. Your training gets better. You want to go out and connect with people because you feel good in yourself.

None of this is complicated. None of it costs a lot of money. None of it takes hours. But do these simple things for seven days straight and there is no way you get to Sunday disappointed. You will be so proud of yourself.

Highest, hottest, most fabulous version of self. Absolutely unrecognisable or bust.

And send me your selfie when you're feeling fabulous. I want to see it.

From the FGN team: if you want your workouts, nutrition and mindset work pre-decided for you, that is exactly what the Feel Good Naked app does.