Chapter 1: The Power of Books in Building Confidence

Books have an incredible ability to nurture a child's self-belief and creativity. In times of despair, we often encounter individuals who guide us back to our true selves, reminding us of our innate strengths. Recently, I was fortunate to be invited to a coaching program focused on Positive Intelligence by my coach and dear friend, Cecilie L. Hjortland. I believe she sensed my struggle a few weeks back and extended this kind offer.

This six-week course is designed to help participants identify their Saboteurs—negative thought patterns—and transform them into positive ones. In a recent session, we were tasked with reflecting on a childhood photograph, reconnecting with our "Sage"—the wise part of ourselves that life experiences may have overshadowed.

As I examined an image of my four-year-old self, I recalled the day it was taken: my birthday, filled with joy and new gifts. I saw the carefree, innocent child I once was. What had changed? Where was the girl who eagerly browsed her favorite craft book, "El Mundo de los Niños," searching for new challenges? There was a sense of loss within me as an adult, something I couldn't quite articulate.

It was during a discussion in our group that a comment struck me: "She looks confident." That resonated deeply. Confidence had been one of my defining traits. It encouraged me to tackle complex crafts at seven years old, inspired by my beloved volume "Hazlo tu mismo." This book opened my imagination, allowing me to dream of traveling the world, connecting with diverse cultures, and exploring new ideas. It transported me beyond my everyday life, connecting me with poetry, stories, and fascinating facts—all of which helped forge new neural pathways.

Ultimately, this laid the groundwork for my aspirations as an adult.

A few days after this coaching exercise, I stumbled upon Amanda Laughtland's latest prompt for The DIY Diaries, inviting us to reflect on our childhood activities. This led me back down memory lane, but this time with a fresh perspective, harmonizing perfectly with my recent self-exploration efforts.

Revisiting the joy of crafting and reading, I found myself once again drawn to the vibrant exploration I had as a child. Each choice I made, whether it was a specific craft or a favorite book, revealed so much about my youthful spirit.

At the outset of this reflection, I sought a singular experience tied to a specific book. However, as I flipped through the pages of the remaining volumes, I was reminded of the excitement that came with pursuing my dreams and nurturing my curiosity.

I felt no judgment for trying new things; I wasn't burdened by financial worries, nor did I care what others thought as I attempted to create a clay penguin or write a short story. That unfiltered confidence was my essence.

The theme of "confidence" has echoed throughout my week, even surfacing in a private session with YouTuber and content creator Emerald Wilkins, where we discussed self-sabotage.

We all have work to do in this area. Emerald's insightful questions, combined with Cecilie’s coaching, and Amanda’s writing prompt, made me ponder how we often lose touch with our true selves. When did we relinquish our essence?

It seems we've traded the traditional modes of learning and exploring through books for the digital age. Yet, we still engage with the world and our identities in similar ways. Four decades ago, we explored our abilities with the limited resources available to us—thanks to my mother's passion for books and a few perceptive teachers who recognized our potential.

Now, we have a vast array of books at our fingertips, along with countless individuals guiding us, often unwittingly. There are walking encyclopedias sharing knowledge through books, YouTube channels, and businesses dedicated to self-discovery and exploration.

However, filtering through the abundance of information to find the right guidance can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to reconnect with our inner wisdom—the "Sage" in Positive Intelligence, or the "Self" in Jungian psychology, representing our journey toward self-actualization.

Confidence, I believe, is at the core of both our successes and failures. It permeated my childhood endeavors and later influenced my early adulthood. Unfortunately, I lost some of that confidence as a business owner, caught up in the need to please clients and the ambition to deeply understand the demands of my work.

Reclaiming that vital aspect of myself has sparked a resurgence of curiosity for crafts and learning. Reflecting on my childhood pastimes reinvigorates a part of me that I had unintentionally neglected.

Are we all in need of reconnecting with our childhood selves? I genuinely believe so. If we could do this, we would find the wisdom we seek within ourselves.

The question remains: Are you ready to embark on this journey?

Thanks for reading. If you're interested in learning more about my work, feel free to visit my About page:

In this video, "I BELIEVE IN MYSELF! CONFIDENCE BUILDER BOOK FOR KIDS - Kids Stories Read Aloud | Fun Stories Play," we explore how stories can foster self-esteem in children, emphasizing the power of belief in oneself.

The second video, "2 Ways to Believe in Yourself & Achieve Cool Things," offers practical strategies for cultivating self-confidence and achieving personal goals.