Let’s get real, ladies—we’ve all had those days where we feel more like a startled kitten than the fierce lionesses we’re meant to be. Last Tuesday, I accidentally ordered a “grande existential crisis” instead of a latte (the barista still hasn’t recovered), and it got me thinking: why does confidence sometimes feel like trying to hold a yoga pose on a waterbed?
Here’s the tea: Confidence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about claiming your space like you’re the main character in a Beyoncé music video. Science backs this up—studies show women who practice “power poses” for just two minutes increase testosterone (our inner lioness hormone) by 20%. I tried this before a Zoom meeting last week and accidentally growled at my spreadsheet. 10/10 recommend.
But let’s dig deeper than posture tricks. True confidence blooms when we stop conflating worthiness with flawlessness. My therapist once told me, “You don’t need to earn the right to exist,” which hit harder than my iced coffee this morning. Research from the University of Life (aka my messy journal entries) shows that women who embrace “radical self-ownership”—quirks, awkward moments, and all—report 73% less anxiety about others’ opinions.
Here’s my controversial hot take: Confidence is a rebellion. When I started wearing red lipstick to the gym (sweat-proof formula, queens!), I wasn’t just accessorizing—I was rejecting the idea that women must shrink to make others comfortable. Bonus? Strangers started asking me for workout tips. Turns out, owning your sparkle makes people assume you’ve got your life together (plot twist: I don’t).
But how do we maintain this energy when imposter syndrome hits? Three words: evidence-based arrogance. Keep a “hype file”—screenshots of nice emails, photos of outfits that slayed, even that time you parallel parked perfectly. When doubt creeps in, review it like you’re studying for the “Bad Bitch” final exam.
The ultimate lioness hack? Treat self-doubt like a telemarketer. You wouldn’t let some rando in a call center dictate your life choices, so why let that inner critic monopolize your mental airtime? Next time anxiety whispers “Who do you think you are?”, respond with “Someone who double-texts and survives the embarrassment, thanks.”
Final thought: Confidence isn’t about being loud—it’s about refusing to apologize for existing. Last week, I told a mansplainer “I’ll let you finish, but first—let me recline this airplane seat.” The look on his face? Priceless. The feeling in my soul? Pure, unadulterated lioness energy.
Your turn, gorgeous. Where will you roar today? 🐾🔥