Real moment... Confidence is in fact beauty so when someone is struggling with their confidence, it's tough for them to be their most beautiful and real self. In the past couple years, I've become much more confident because of the control I've taken of my life and the improvements I've made to every facet of my life. That doesn't mean I'm perfect and consistent about it though and I am glad to be on an upswing - even though I was down for a bit. However, I know in that downtime, I wasn't really myself. My emotions were a little crazy, I was avoiding eating when I know I needed to eat, and all of that had me out of sorts. I am truly blessed and fortunate that those who are closest to me and who I love most know the real me and encouraged me, enabled me to get back on my better and usual track.
Why do I share all of this?
To plead something of you. Next time someone - especially someone you don't know - acts in a way that you don't like or that makes you uncomfortable, don't assume that's the person they always are. Don't assume they're going out of their way to make you feel bad. Don't assume that it had anything to do with you - especially if you don't believe you've done anything to spur that kind of behavior. Why? Because 99 times out of 100, they're acting that way because of their own demons, their own issues, their own faults, and they're only going to be able to share all of that with those they trust most.
Having been there, done that, and shown ugly colors of my personality before, I can honestly say I didn't do or say with an intent to hurt anyone and I've talked to others with these same feelings so I always try to keep that in mind when someone catches me off guard like that. I'm not saying that lack of self confidence is an excuse to act nasty and apologies are in order... But it's often easier in the moment for those on the receiving side to take a deep breath and acknowledge something else may be going on before making any negative or judgmental assumptions, to ask questions instead of making assumptive statements, or to pull away from the situation when nothing seems to be improving. If you know the person, I'm sure you'll find a good way later to bring it up and talk it through!
