CNJ+ April 2023

Neighbors Sharing Tips HOW TO REGAIN YOUR CONFIDENCE AND GET BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS By, Roger V Schmitt

You know those days when the world seems like it's on your shoulders and you can't see any way out? When everything is going wrong and nothing's right? It feels like there's no hope, but there are a few ways to find confi dence. With these simple steps you'll be back in the game with newfound confidence. LEARN NEW SKILLS You've probably noticed that the more skills you have, the more confident you feel. Learning new stuff is always useful, even if it's a skill that most people don't use every day (like sewing or building a table). Learning gives us opportunities to apply our knowledge, which makes us feel good about ourselves. It also makes us feel good to know that we're capable of learning new skills. Plus, new skills are a great way to meet people, and new rela tionships always boost your confidence. Learn on the cheap from YouTube and Udemy. Also, there's nothing as satisfying and confidence-boosting as knowing you can express yourself in another language. Even if you only know how to say "hello" and "goodbye," you'll reap the benefits of being able to com municate with people from other cultures. If you're looking for something more rigorous, try college-level language courses. You could also consider going back to school! Maybe you’ve always want ed to start a business but don’t know where to begin. Earning an MBA is a great place to start because you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the busi ness world than your competitors, and if you choose to benefit from the freedom afforded by online education programs, you can learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home. If you have an entrepreneurial bent, this may lead to starting your own business. If so, be sure to check off a few boxes before jumping in, such as drafting a business plan, coming up with a feasible idea that suits your skill set, and structure the business that’s the best fit for you. There are a number of ways to form your startup, whether that’s a C Corp or an LLC operating as an S Corp. Start by learning the differences, such as C Corp vs S Corp, and go from there. PUTTING ON YOUR BEST FACE If you’ve gotten out of the habit of putting on makeup or shaving since being indoors and isolating, it’s time to get back into the routine. Your skin may have suffered from serious skincare neglect, so get to the spa and let the experts give you a customized facial that will have you glowing. Next, go through your wardrobe and see what still fits and what’s still in style. Like Urbanite Suburbanite tells us, planning your outfit is like planning your day, and a great outfit can help you have a great day. HIT THE GYM – OR THE SIDEWALK OK, so you're not quite ready to get back into the workplace yet. That's fine – Muscle & Fitness suggests working on your body and mind instead! For instance, yoga is a great way to boost confidence and self-esteem by im

proving flexibility and blood flow. Losing weight and building muscle will make you feel good about yourself (and feel more attractive), and working out is also a great way to meet people who share your interests. Plus, regular exercise often improves your cognitive abilities, which will help with every thing you do. Even if you're new to working out, fitness classes, and the gym in general, usually have a great community vibe. Of course you can always simply go out your front door and take regular, brisk walks around the block or the neighborhood to get in a convenient session of fresh air and exercise. This is made much easier if you live in an area with a high Walk Score, which measures a locale’s level of walkability. You can also visit a nearby park with walking or bike trails to get in even more of Mother Nature, which can do wonders for your mood. CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER Your home is where you’ve probably been spending most of your day and so it stands to reason that things may have accumulated. Getting rid of any bad energy that has built up during a time when things weren’t going the best for you, means starting over with a fresh new space for the fresh new you. There are actually signs that you’re surrounded by bad energy, like ex cessive complaining, relationships suffering, or lots of criticizing. Cleaning with the purpose of removing that bad energy can go a long way toward removing any negativity you’re feeling. After the pandemic, all of our confidence levels have taken a bit of a hit. It's only natural to feel a little out of place when your life has been turned upside down. The world is still out there, though – you can get back in it if you find the right opportunities. Don't be afraid to try new skills or learn something new. You might just find that confidence comes naturally when This article is about finding confidence and getting back to the world, even after a pandemic. It includes learning new skills, going back to school on line, learning a new language, or even just taking up weightlifting at the gym. After the pandemic hit our lives, it feels natural that we might not feel confident in ourselves anymore. There are many things you can do to get your life moving again – so don't let fear stop you from trying anything! AUTHOR BIO: "Roger V Schmitt sent in this article request to be published in CNJ+ Me dia. He says that he wanted to share his advice with the many neighbors in Central New Jersey. Robert describes himself as, “has been into the Ennea gram since before it was cool!” He has been learning and teaching about the nine types for years. It has helped him and his clients find personal fulfill ment, improve relationships, and be more successful in business. When he isn’t teaching the Enneagram, Roger loves to host dinner parties for friends and family, where he can have meaningful conversations about life, philos ophy, spirituality, and social issues. He also enjoys going for nature hikes with his dog and recently started learning how to play guitar." you're working at a new passion. GET BACK OUT THERE!

32 CNJ+ | FORMERLY THE MILLSTONE TIMES

APRIL 2023