When confidence feels out of reach

Rebuilding self-belief one step at a time.

Low confidence doesn’t always wave and shout “hello, I’m here” loudly in your ear! Often, it just slowly creeps up on you. You start to notice a hesitation before speaking. A growing feeling that you’re not quite enough. A voice in your head that questions whether you’re really capable, even when others see your strength.

For me, it crept in through anxiety.

I didn’t always realise it at the time, but anxiety slowly chipped away at my self-esteem. It made me doubt myself, overthink everything, and shrink back from things I genuinely wanted to do. I would question my decisions, replay conversations endlessly, and hold myself to impossibly high standards.

Outwardly, I might have seemed calm and capable. But inside, I was quietly struggling. That constant pesky and destructive feeling like I wasn’t measuring up, no matter how hard I tried.

Does that sound familiar?

The slow fade of confidence

Confidence rarely disappears all at once. It fades over time, often without us even noticing. A setback knocks you sideways. A difficult relationship leaves you second-guessing yourself. You keep achieving things, but somehow it never feels like enough. And when anxiety is in the mix, that voice of self-doubt can grow even louder.

You might:

• Apologise constantly, even when you’ve done nothing wrong.
• Dismiss compliments because they don’t feel true.
• Avoid opportunities in case you “mess them up”.
• Feel anxious in social settings and repeatedly replay them afterwards.
• Hold back from saying what you really think or feel.

These small habits build up. And over time, it can feel like your self-worth is constantly walking a tightrope, vulnerable to even the smallest wobble.

A turning point

My own turning point came when I realised I didn’t want to keep living under the weight of that voice in my head. I knew I wasn’t broken, but I was tired of feeling stuck, small, and uncertain of myself.

That’s when I discovered Hypnotherapy and everything began to shift.

A gentle, brain-based approach to rebuilding self-belief

One of the most powerful things about Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is that it doesn’t dwell on the past or label you as “the problem.” Instead, it gently helps you reconnect with the version of you that already exists. The one who feels confident, calm, and capable beneath all the noise of your busy life.

Through positive talking therapy and guided hypnosis (a deeply relaxing, natural state a bit like daydreaming), you begin to access the part of your brain that sees solutions, not just problems. The part that remembers your strengths and the part that believes in you.

Over time, this process can help:

• Quiet your pesky inner critic.
• Boost your self-esteem from the inside out.
• Rebuild trust in your own decisions.
• Increase motivation and focus.
• Help you feel more ‘at home’ in your own skin.

And most importantly, it helps you reconnect with you and recognise that you were simply overwhelmed. And now, you’re finding your way back.

You’re allowed to believe in yourself again

If you’ve been living with anxiety, low confidence and self-esteem, you’re not alone. And please know that you don’t need to wait until everything falls apart to begin rebuilding.

Small, compassionate steps, starting right where you are really can lead to powerful change.

Whether it’s through Solution Focused Hypnotherapy or another supportive path, what matters is beginning. The confidence you’re searching for isn’t gone. It’s just been buried under layers of fear, pressure, and expectation.

You are allowed to trust and believe in yourself again and to feel proud.

One gentle meaningful step at a time, you can find your inner freedom from what’s holding you back and rediscover you again.

You can read more on my low self esteem and confidence page Hypnotherapy for Confidence in Nottingham – Katie Deacon or contact me for a free 45 minute consultation by email at katie@katiedeacon.co.uk.