self-confidence

Don’t be afraid of what others say!

We’re talking about teenagers and their self-confidence, and I, as one of the teenagers, will share my opinion about the youth in my country.

They have high creativity and knowledge that can be developed. However, some of them refuse to develop it, and this is due to many factors, one of which is self-confidence. Believing in yourself is very important, especially if you want to succeed.

Only a handful of teenagers have high self-confidence, and this can be influenced by the supportive environment they’re in and how they handle the opinions of others.

PART 1: PROBLEMS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

The family and friendship environment play a crucial role in shaping a person’s character, especially for children and teenagers. Parents, siblings, and close friends are often the role models they look up to. These people have a significant influence on their thoughts, actions, and self-perception.

When family members or friends say things like, “You can’t do it, you’re so ugly, you smell bad, your way of speaking is unclear,” those words deeply affect the teenager’s mindset. They begin to internalize these negative comments, which can lower their self-esteem. Even before they’ve had a chance to try, they may already start doubting themselves. These hurtful words can lead to a cycle of self-deprecation, where the teenager feels worthless or incapable.

Unfortunately, these negative influences can stunt the development of a teenager's self-confidence and make it harder for them to believe in their potential. The constant exposure to harsh criticism can prevent them from taking risks, trying new things, or fully embracing their talents.

However, it’s important to remember that the opposite is true too—when families and friends offer positive reinforcement, encouragement, and kind words, it helps to nurture confidence. A supportive environment at home and in friendships can empower teenagers to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter how challenging they may seem.

PART 2: HOW TO SOLVE IT?

To address the issue of low self-confidence in teenagers, it's important to create a positive and supportive environment at home and in friendships. Family members and friends should offer encouragement, uplifting words, and focus on the teenager's strengths and potential, rather than just their weaknesses. Open communication is also crucial, providing a space for teenagers to express their feelings and concerns without fear of judgment. By motivating them to take risks, setting achievable goals, and teaching resilience in the face of failure, teenagers can gradually build their confidence. Surrounding themselves with positive, supportive friends will also help them feel valued and believe in their abilities.

PART 3: MY JOURNEY TO SELF-CONFIDENCE

Before sharing my experience, let me introduce myself. I am a junior high school student who will soon enter high school. When I was in elementary school, I was quite brave in expressing my opinions, but I wasn’t confident enough to speak in public. Speaking in front of many people requires a lot of courage, and I was afraid of what others would say about me.

When I entered junior high school, I saw one of my seniors speaking confidently in front of a crowd, delivering a presentation. I thought it was really cool! I wanted to be like them too! So, I decided to participate as a speaker in a school event. This event allowed students to speak in front of other students and teachers.

The day finally came, and it was my first time speaking in front of more than 500 people! I felt extremely nervous and scared. I was afraid people would find me weird or laugh at me. Because of my anxiety, I made mistakes—I repeated the same sentence multiple times! It was so embarrassing!

After the event ended, I was too afraid to leave the classroom. I kept thinking about my mistakes and how people must have noticed them. But when I asked my friends, "How was my performance?" they told me that I was amazing! They didn’t even remember my mistakes! Hearing that made me feel so much more confident about public speaking.

From this experience, I learned that fear of others' opinions should not stop us from trying new things. Even if we make mistakes, most people don’t pay attention to them as much as we think. What truly matters is having the courage to step forward. Confidence is something we build over time, and the more we challenge ourselves, the stronger we become. So, don’t be afraid to speak up and believe in yourself! 😊

I got help from AI to create this, but 85% of the ideas are mine!