Nadine J Walters – My Life

Today’s Question: Do you think you have a lot of confidence?

Answer:
Yes, I think I have confidence—“a lot” might be stretching it, but I definitely have enough. Sometimes it shows up strong and steady; other times, it hides in the background. But overall, I’d say my level of confidence feels just right—because, of course, it fits me.

There’s the kind of confidence that comes from experience—when you’ve done something before and know what to expect. Then there’s a deeper kind of confidence: the trust you place in yourself, even when something is unfamiliar.

The first kind of confidence is one we all develop over time. I still remember the first time I sat behind the wheel of a car—completely terrified. But now, I just get in and go. Sometimes I’m even a little too confident, not paying close enough attention—which, as we all know, can get us in trouble. This same “everyday confidence” shows up in so many areas of life: cooking, walking into a gym, even walking itself. My granddaughter just started walking a few months ago, and you could see her confidence growing with every step—exploring, wobbling, falling, getting back up again.

Really, when you think about it, everything we do had to be learned at some point. We gain confidence through doing. That never stops. A recent example for me is my new cold plunge routine. The first time I tried it, I wasn’t sure I could even step into the water, much less stay in. Now, not only can I do it, but I’m confident enough to tweak the routine and make it work even better for me.

So where does this confidence come from? For me, it’s about self-trust. I trust that I’ll figure things out. I trust that I can handle challenges. And I trust that if I stumble, there are people in my life who will support me.

My art classes, cooking classes, fitness routines, social connections—even writing this blog—these all require confidence. So maybe I was wrong at the start when I said I didn’t have a lot of confidence. Looking at it now, I think I actually do.