Strengthening my Confidence: My Personal Journey

Life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths, and sometimes these paths can lead us to rediscover parts of ourselves that we thought were long gone. For me, it was when I found myself in the role of a teacher. Little did I know that taking up tasks assigned to me would become the catalyst for building and strengthening my confidence. In this personal blog post, I want to share my journey with you and how embracing the challenges of teaching helped me improve upon my confidence.

Stepping into the Unknown

I did not know how it would feel to be a teacher since I have always been that person who talks less and who finds talking exhausting. Also, I know that teaching was a profession that seemed to require an endless supply of patience, empathy, and, most importantly, confidence – something I felt I felt I did not have enough of. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I found myself standing in front of a classroom full of eager students, feeling both excited and down spirited at the same time.

I have done various teachings from attachments to my internship but meeting these kids at the basic level was incredibly challenging (since it was the first time teaching children at that level coupled with being in a new environment and starting your adult life), but it offered me profound opportunities for growth and learning.

As I began to take on the various tasks assigned to me – from lesson planning to managing classroom dynamics, to being a form teacher and organising events– I quickly realized that teaching was not just about imparting knowledge. It was also about inspiring and empowering young minds, which required a level of confidence that I knew I needed to put up as soon as possible.

One thing that is worth mentioning which helped solidify my confidence were the other activities I did after school, mind you, a lot of people said I was somehow introverted, but truth be told, I went out a lot, I just did not make it known to a lot of people, I went out alone and with friends, I went to movies, I went to live bands, I went to concerts, I went for a book discussion etc. All these helped me.

Since I am someone who hates not doing anything, I was constantly looking for something to occupy myself with. I did online courses, I was providing writing services (I still do), I taught after school hours (private) teaching, these helped me financially but shot my confidence right up. Not forgetting the several interviews, I went through for other remote jobs. These were very daunting and tiring but I had to keep moving.

Facing Unfamiliar Situations

One of the first tasks that pushed me out of my comfort zone was having to come every day in any mood to talk and present to my students. The challenge was not in delivering the lessons but having to do it every single day regardless of the mood I was in was exceptionally daunting. As a teacher, I had to stand in front of the classroom every day, presenting lessons and engaging with students, that was not all, I had to be a mentor, a counsellor, a sister and be there for them, I had to constantly advise them about life and other things related to growth.

This initially made me feel incredibly anxious, but I knew I couldn't let my fears hold me back, but they depended on me, and I had the urge to offer my help in all the ways I could.
With each passing day, I became more comfortable with speaking to my students. I learned that the more I practiced, the better I became, and the less nervous I felt.

There were other unfamiliar things I had to adapt to, but I don't call them challenges, they are more like stepping stones for growth.

Learning to Trust Myself

One of the most crucial lessons I learned during my journey as a teacher was the importance of trusting myself. I realized that I possessed the knowledge, skills, and instincts necessary to guide my students on their educational journey. I began to trust my judgment and decision-making abilities, which significantly boosted my self-confidence. By embracing my role as a teacher and believing in my capabilities, I started to see positive results not only in my students' progress but also in my own personal growth. What we should learn is that it is not only the imparting of knowledge that counts as education but how well you have transformed the behaviour and minds of people you come into contact with.

Celebrating Small Victories

Another essential aspect of strengthening my confidence was learning to celebrate small victories, I still battle with this, but I am gradually getting into that mood, like even when I wake up in the morning, It's a win! Every time I successfully completed a task or saw improvement in my students' performance, I took a moment to acknowledge and appreciate my hard work. It is hard especially with teaching, but any little improvement I see, it reminded me that I was not doing things in vain.

These small celebrations helped me build momentum and motivated me to continue pushing forward, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The Power of Support

Throughout my journey, I was fortunate to have the support of my colleagues, friends, and family. Their encouragement, guidance, and shared experiences were invaluable in helping me grow in the new space I found myself which added up to boosting my confidence.

By surrounding myself with positive influences and seeking advice from those who had walked the same path, I was able to learn from their experiences and apply this knowledge to my life.

Embracing My Newfound Confidence

Today, I can proudly say that my experience in this journey has not only allowed me to rediscover my confidence but also transformed me into a stronger, more resilient individual. The challenges I faced and overcame have taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, self-belief, and the power of embracing the unknown.

I now approach life with a renewed sense of confidence and enthusiasm, ready to tackle whatever challenges come my way. And while my teaching journey has been filled with ups and downs, I wouldn't trade it for anything, as it has shaped me into the person I am today.

If you're struggling with your own confidence, remember that sometimes all it takes is stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new experiences. You might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of achieving.