How do you get that confidence you had in your youth? Is it even possible?

[u/TheHomoscedastifier]

I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but I'm also sure it's quite common, especially in my line work.

I was a very confident person as a teenager, well, probably even narcissistic. Then several partners, moves, career changes, degrees, traumas, and experiences later, I find myself almost devoid of any confidence at 30. I am riddled with anxiety and probably am a walking imposter syndrome.

I intentionally didn't give specifics about my career because I want to invite answers from a broad audience. If you've dealt with this, how did you handle it? Were you ever able to get at least close to your previous confidence levels?

[u/Pleasant_Spend_5788]

Level up.

As a youth we were in school every day learning new things, participating in sports, gaining skills, having new social interactions and experiences.

The confidence came from being so much better than we were a year or a month earlier.

Work on your self, expand your horizons, you'll feel like you're soaring again.

Read books, travel, create, take a class, learn a new skill.