This post was sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own.
(AD) My depression journey has brought me here. I’m Finding My Confidence with the SunTrust onUp Challenge.
Finding My Confidence with the onUp Challenge
Depression is not a destination. It’s a journey. I’m finding that almost a year later, that really has hit home with me. My journey with depression is constantly changing, and I’ve learned that I can’t allow depression to define me. I have to let myself redefine my depression.
So that got me thinking more about my personality and traits that may have been missing in my life. At the top of my list was confidence. Never in my life would I describe myself as confident. But I want to be. Here’s what I’m doing to find my confidence. Maybe these tips will help you to find yours too.
Talking Openly & Honestly
There’s something so freeing about not bottling up my feelings inside. That day I wrote the most honest post of my life, I felt lighter. I didn’t have to hide behind a facade of “fake happiness,” but instead could embrace life in a different way. That’s one of the reasons why I became a blogger. Words, they’re so powerful. Whether I’m writing them down or talking with a friend, being open and honest has really helped to boost my self-confidence.
Shining a Spotlight
An introvert to the core, this was a really hard thing for me to do. That meant getting out from behind the camera and putting myself in front of it. Embracing compliments and even complimenting myself, I am learning to love myself in a new way. Confidence.
Taking Risks
Safe is not confident. I need to change, and that begins with pushing my boundaries and limitations. I need to realize that I can do more and be more by taking risks, especially the ones that I thought I couldn’t reach before. Confidence comes with risk-taking. It really does.
Smiling More
Smiling is a small action attached to a big emotion. And I realized that I don’t smile enough in my day-to-day. My resting face is questionably evil, making me less approachable and duh, less confident. Smiling is confidence. And I need more of that.
Answering the Question “What Do I Value?”
The very root of my confidence comes from the foundations that I stand on. That means I’m answering the question “What Do I Value?” Heavy question, right? But where to start? If you’ve been following the onUp Movement for the past 2 years, you may have noticed how SunTrust is taking a different approach to understanding budgeting, finances, retirement, savings and most importantly your families’ needs. By getting to the root of our values, we’re understanding how what we care about affects our financial confidence. But now is the time to take action, with the onUp Challenge.
The Values Challenge is the first step – by defining what matters most in your life. By taking this easy and free questionnaire, we can uncover what we value most. I found out that I value “Family and Friends.” From there, I explored 7 lands with checklists, calculators, tips and tools to help me achieve confidence when it comes to my finances. I’ve even been challenged to open a savings account for family emergencies only. How smart!
Dreaming & Achieving
Being under constant stress, including financial stress, was limiting my ability to dream and to achieve my dreams. But by understanding my values through the Values Challenge, I have a firm and confident foundation to stand on.
The SunTrust onUp Challenge provides so many great tools to help you to achieve your financial goals – all for free. From the Action Checklists to the Mind Map Activities to great advice and thought provoking inspiration, SunTrust wants to give you the step-by-step plan to help you reach your dreams too, confidently. Join the 2 million folks who’ve already joined the onUp Movement. Finding my confidence in the midst of depression is a continuous journey. But I know that I’m on my way to redefining myself in a beautiful and healthier way.
Take the SunTrust onUp Challenge now to begin your journey towards financial confidence.
What do you value? How can the onUp Challenge help you to find your confidence?
This post was sponsored, and paid for, by SunTrust. All opinions are my own.
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Sami Cone says
So proud of you & love hearing more of your heart!
christie says
Thank you! It’s a continuous journey!
Dandi D says
This was great to read–thank you for sharing!
Janet W. says
Beautiful pictures! I love your confidence!
Amber Ludwig says
I value being happy!! I find that I am just never there though! Everytime I get close something happens lol! There’s gotta be some law for that 😉
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I value honesty above everything else. What you said is so true, you have to be open and honest for pretty much every aspect of your life.
Monica says
Beautiful and inspiring story! I too am working on my confidence.
Maureen says
I hadn’t heard of this challenge before but I Love it. It will help us challenge ourselves a bit further. Great post, inspiring!
Catherine Sargent says
I value honesty and integrity the most. I need to start being more confident and I will have to join the onUp Movement
Our Family World says
Thank you for sharing your journey. I have had bouts of depression as well but, you are right. Depression does not define who we are as a person. I agree about the smiling part of building confidence. It takes more facial muscles to frown than to smile, so to avoid getting wrinkles early, it would be best to choose to smile. 🙂 Have a great day!
Melissa Chapman says
It sounds like you have really found some happiness and come to a great understanding of yourself. My husband takes care of our finances so I will show him this challenge to take.
robin rue says
Being honest and open is key! I think until people can be honest with themselves they can’t be completely confident.
AnnMarie John says
It’s a great way to keep your thoughts realigned and to help you organize your life more according to what matters to you the most! Love this challenge.
Pam says
I value family and friends! It’s so important to figure out what you value and what you hold dear. It really helps you prioritize.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
I think this is wonderful. There’s nothing better than challenging yourself to be better and to do better. It’s definitely something that I wouldn’t mind doing, for that extra boost of confidence and a little more self love.
Carol Cassara says
Talking openly and honestly is also what I advice people and clients. It’s something that we avoid but what we don’t know is how much it helps when dealing with our feelings and our thoughts.
Brianne says
What great challenges for yourself. I am so going to do this as well!
Beeb Ashcroft says
Stepping out of our comfort zone pushes us to new limits. It keeps that “accomplished” feeling in our gut.
Kita Bryant says
It’s so important to have confidence. I’ve been there and it was tough to work up to.
Liz Mays says
I like your tips and the Values challenge sounds like a great idea. That’s definitely a good way to start working towards some goals.
travel blogger says
What a wonderful way to work on your confidence and create a better life. I need to give the suntrust challenge a try. You can’t have enough financial guidance. Sounds very helpful!