8 Signs A Woman Has A Calm And Confident Soul, According To Psychology
Signs a woman has an inner steadiness that doesn't need to prove itself.
Candice Picard | Unsplash A woman with a calm and confident air is typically hard to ignore. Their calm demeanor tends to draw people to them because, although people with chaotic energies can be exciting in small doses, they can also be, well, exhausting.
Confidence is also one of those qualities that catches people's attention. In women, confidence shines through as being influential, more successful, and leading happier lives — but what do these qualities actually look like in regular, everyday life?
Here are eight signs a woman has a calm and confident soul, according to psychology:
1. She's not fixated on perfection
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Most people want things to be right in their lives, but trying to be perfect is paralyzing. Perfectionism sets you up for living in fear of never measuring up or being good enough.
Confidence isn't developed in a state of perfection. Perfectionism is the antithesis of confidence. So, quiet your inner critic and let go of the need to be perfect.
2. She takes action
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Confidence comes through experience, and experience comes through action. The most confident people in life are, ironically, ones willing to look stupid, insane, crazy, and idiotic to reach their goals.
Over and over, they attempt, fail, course correct, and continue to learn and grow through life’s experiences. Calm and confident women perceive challenges and mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning rather than as reasons for discouragement.
Researchers have found that these individuals leverage their belief in themselves, set clear goals, learn from challenges, seek support from others, and prioritize their well-being.
3. She dresses for herself
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Dressing how you want to feel is a great way to play with physical reality to build your inner confidence. So, define how you want to feel, imagine how that feeling looks, and dress to embody your feelings.
Women with calm and confident dispositions use clothing as a tool to support their inner state, selecting styles and colors that resonate with their personality and offer comfort. The concept of enclothed cognition suggests that clothing can influence cognitive processes and behavior, meaning that dressing in a way that aligns with confidence can reinforce that mindset.
4. She practices good posture
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Stand up like you mean it. Stand up like you have something to say to the world. So, practice good posture to start building your confidence level. That’s right, back straight, shoulders back, and chest out.
Studies have shown that adopting expansive, open postures, sometimes referred to as power poses, can lead to increased feelings of power and confidence. This is likely due to a feedback loop where physical posture affects both self-perception and how others perceive the individual.
5. She trusts her choices
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We often underestimate the power of decision. Oftentimes, we don’t make decisions because we don’t trust ourselves. It’s okay to start small, like choosing a restaurant or a beautiful pair of shoes.
Then make bigger decisions: pick a vacation spot, a piece of art, or a new suit. With each decision, you become more and more confident versus waiting for someone to make the decisions for you and letting your confidence wither away.
6. She fakes it 'til she makes it
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I’m not telling you not to be yourself, I’m simply suggesting you try to wear another person’s shoes for a few moments. Deep inside of you is this confident person — you may just need to try it on for size before you wear it full-time.
Research suggests that role-playing can offer a safe space for exploring different personas and behaviors, which can be particularly appealing to individuals with calm and confident dispositions.
7. She celebrates the little wins
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Dig around in your memory and think about things you are so proud of accomplishing. They can be small or big, affect only you or other people too.
Make a list and as you write each accomplishment down, give yourself a pat on the back and acknowledge all that you’ve done. This is a great step towards building inner confidence.
Research has shown that the acknowledgement of each small win acts as proof to yourself of your capability and progress. Recognizing each step keeps momentum alive and makes your goals feel achievable.
8. She smiles — when she wants to
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A smile is one of those controllable actions that you can take into your outer world that will make your inner world soar. Try it. Walk into a room and just smile. Notice what happens.
Suddenly, good mojo begins to flow towards you. You start to relax. Things stop being so serious. And you discover that your confidence is greater.
People are more likely to be drawn to those who smile because of the positive lasting impression it leaves in all settings. While some research suggests benefits from forced smiling, genuine smiles are more likely to build stronger connections and create a strong foundation of trust.
Feeling confident and attractive is about being comfortable in your skin. It’s that simple.
Debra Smouse is a life coach and author whose work has been published in TIME, Huffington Post, MSN, Psychology Today, and more.
