Peeling Back the Layers to True Confidence: A Journey to Uncovering Your Inner Strength
How the onion metaphor helped me re-think that path to achieving self-confidence.
Are You Struggling with Low Self-Esteem? You’re Not Alone—And Real, Lasting Confidence is Possible
If you’ve ever felt that true confidence is out of reach, or that only achieving certain milestones will make you feel truly worthy, you’re in not alone. Many of us believe we’ll feel confident once we’ve overcome perceived shortcomings, reached personal or physical goals, or received validation from others. But lasting confidence doesn’t have to wait until these goals are met.
A New Approach to Self-Worth
In my work with clients, I’ve discovered that many people are simply following the common self-esteem pathway—one that often leads to feeling stuck or unfulfilled. This path may leave you feeling like you’ll only feel whole or confident once you’ve achieved certain things or found “perfect” support from others. But there is a more efficient, fulfilling way to reveal a deeper self-worth—a way that shifts you from a narrow view of confidence to something truly expansive and personal.
Uncovering Your True Self: The Self-Esteem “Onion”
Through my work with clients, I’ve found a powerful way to reconnect with authentic confidence: the “onion” approach. Picture your true self—the confident, resilient core—at the center of an onion. Life experiences, fears, anxieties, and beliefs gradually add layers over this core, masking your natural strength and confidence. These layers are unique to each individual, formed by personal experiences, beliefs, and perceptions. But once you peel back these layers one by one, you can reveal your true, empowered self.
Peeling Back the Layers: The Process of Self-Discovery
How do we uncover your natural confidence buried beneath these layers? First, we’ll explore what your specific layers are and why they were created. Often, we hold narratives around our fears, anger, or guilt that keep us from addressing what’s truly going on beneath the surface. The unconscious mind, which stores all of these experiences, tries to protect us from uncomfortable feelings. This creates layers of defense that can obscure our inner confidence.
To truly address each layer of self-doubt, we need to understand why these layers were formed in the first place. Over time, we often create stories around our fears, anger, guilt, or pain, attaching them to specific experiences we believe are the roots of these negative feelings. This is natural, as our unconscious mind is designed to protect us, sometimes by burying uncomfortable feelings deep within. However, when we start exploring the true roots of these issues, we may find surprising insights or patterns we didn’t realize were actually influencing us. Often, suppressed memories or forgotten experiences lie beneath the surface, quietly influencing our present struggles without us realizing they’re there. Uncovering these hidden layers can reveal and release what’s holding us back. By unpacking these narratives, we can reach deeper levels of understanding. In hypnotherapy, we have the tools to access these hidden memories, gently and safely, to release what is holding you back. Hypnosis is a powerful tool for bringing these memories to the surface, allowing us to release what’s holding you back. Working together, we can peel away each layer to reveal your innate resilience and confidence.
Get Started: A Writing Prompt to Begin Uncovering Your Layers
Here's a writing prompt to help you start exploring your sense of self-worth. Consider this an initial step to begin your journey.
Imagine a Miracle – Write down exactly what you would feel, think, or do if you woke up tomorrow with absolute confidence and high self-esteem. Be as specific as possible.
Identify Current Obstacles – Next, write down everything that you feel prevents you from having these feelings now. Note the fears, concerns, and barriers that are holding you back.
Reframe Your Concerns – For each concern, write a reframe—something positive that resonates with you and helps you see the concern in a different, more empowering light.
Ready to Reveal Your True Confidence? Let’s Go Deeper Together
If you feel ready to address the layers holding you back, we can collaborate to unlock and free your self-confidence. Through this process, we’ll work together to help you shed each layer, moving you closer to the vibrant, self-assured person you truly are.
Have a question or concern? Email me at coachtaradesouza@gmail.com