9 Ways to Boost Self Esteem + Confidence Amid Alopecia and Hairloss

Alopecia and hairloss can bring you down, mentally, physically and emotionally. My self esteem definitely took a hit with my diagnosis and also my continued hairloss. Until I started to see hair grow which then, even admid the hairloss, created a spark of enthusiasm and joy in me..

It's true as the adage says, you cannot experience or appreciate happiness until you've experience sadness. You can't see the rainbow without the storm.

In this same manner I've felt as I am sure you have too, the low self esteem that can creep in with losing hair, feeling bad, and seeing physical signs of alopecia, outside of just hairloss.

Self esteem is important, because YOU are Important. You are worthy and we all have a purpose in this world. You are no accident, you have a destiny to fulfill.

So how can we boost our self esteem and how can we boost self esteem in others?

1. Empower yourself.

Arm yourself with knowledge and stick around people who are positive. Regardless of what anyone said to me, I knew I could reverse my alopecia. becuase why not!? I had hair my whole life why on earth would I allow myself to go bald out of no where?. Not for me... I stuck around people who've made a difference and stick to people who are optimists. Look, I've mentioned this before, if there are examples of people healing and living after cancer, diabetes, Hashimotos and other conditions, why not alopecia?

2. Feeling confident comes from within

Think back to the history exam you had to take in school. Didn't you feel super confident when you knew all the dates, from backwards to forwards, you knew all the characters, you knew all the details and of course, you were uber confident about the test taking... no fear crept in right? How does this happen- because you were armed with info and knowledge... you believed in yourself and you knew the details. BUT you didn't know everything until someone taught you.

So this is where you need to go back to school, and unlearn what you've been told and re-learn a new way of living, a new way of open opportunities and a new way of life. We weren't born with the answers and our governments and schools are clearly not teaching us what we really need to learn: diet, lifestyle and nutrition, so this goes back to someone who can teach you. Unlike your history teacher, I lived through that history and have come to declare that it really happened- that alopecia can be reversed. That people everyday are healing with these changes. Life changes which bring health and hair.

Here's an email I received yesterday from a client:

" Hi Johanna:-)

  Thank you for your quick reply as always!:-)   Things are going great! I am on Day 19 and I feel amazing!  I am getting a ton of compliments on my skin. My husband cannot believe how great my back looks! I have had acne on my back for years, It is almost gone.  He keeps saying, "I still cannot believe how great your back looks."  After years and years, of not being able to fall asleep at night, I am starting to be able to lay down and fall asleep like a normal person. I have not had fiber in 18 days, which I greatly depended on to not be constipated. I was very afraid of stopping it, but I am having normal bowel movements without it.  In the past, I would be in a great deal of pain if I forgot it for one day. 

As for the hair, I will say that the spot that was starting to bald on my forehead area has completely stopped falling out, and if I had to guess, has baby hairs coming in.  I am losing less and less hair each day in my brush.  I am excited to know that my hair WILL grow back and that I WILL be having beautiful hair again.  I do not have that feeling of hopelessness anymore. 

Lastly, I am getting healthy! I did not realize how my health was declining and I had no idea. I was just not putting all the pieces together. I have gained a new sense of self and a new awareness of my health. I have realized that I CAN control how I feel and how long I live.  My husband has even joined me on this journey.  I am so thankful to you and for your journey you took to gather all of your information.  I wish I could give you a big hug!"

3. Visualize yourself as you want to be.

This is huge... because if you want to stay where you are, experiencing hairloss and perhaps with other ailments, keep doing what you are doing. But if you want to change this situation and make it better, health, hair growth and more... than start taking action. Visualize yourself healthy, believe you can and take action steps towards that! You can heal, its not just for the privileged.. its a birthright for everyone, including YOU.

4. Affirm yourself.

Say beautiful things to yourself everyday... Affirm the following:

" I am smart"

" I am beautiful "

" I am worthy"

" I am getting healthier everyday" 

" I love myself"

" I am love "

" I am unique and offer many skills and talents to the world"

" I am overcoming all obstacles"

" I am resilient and can overcome any challenges that come my way"

" I am learning and growing every day"

" I am successful in all that I do - where all my energy goes"

Create others that you would like and continue this practice.

Bonus: do it in front of a mirror!

6. Question your inner critic.

Keep the negative talk on mute and believe in yourself. Question the naysayers, the bitter and resentful thoughts and people. Question authority and see if it makes sense. Many rules don't make sense to me and see if there is another way, another positive thing you can say. Instead of saying, something negative, change it into a positive. Speaking more positivity in your words and actions has a great effect.

8. Set yourself up to win.

Gather info, join my program, get a free consultation and do what you think is best for you. No one knows you better than YOU and sometimes timing plays a big part. But don't let fear stop you from moving forward. Fear is the block for so many, fear of failure, fear of not working, fear of... you fill in the blank. Don't let fear run your life. Move forward, taking action allows for fear to go away permanently.

9. Help someone else.

I love this. I love helping people. I really love helping all my clients, with all their questions, and seeing results. There is nothing more satisfying than being apart of that process. I am the messenger, and I love being your cheerleader because I believe in all of you, in the capacity to beat alopecia, in our capacity to grow hair and get healthy. For each of us that journey is a little different, but it is possible. Go for it!

Helping someone can be with groceries for someone, paying it forward, volunteering, donating money, being extra kind, courteous, giving compliments, and perhaps making a special meal for someone. Helping someone can be advice, encouragement, a hug and so much more. Imagine if we would encourage each other more than try to hate, be negative or criticize each other? The world would be a different place.

Which one of the above do you resonate most with? Let me know!