The courage of the equinox, where light and dark are held equally and light begins to triumph over dark with confidence and persistence marks the beginning spring — a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. It's a time to set intentions for the year ahead and take action using qualities such as confidence, the willingness to take risks, and persistence. How do you invite new beginnings, fresh starts, and a renewed sense of energy and vitality into your life?
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently." - Maya Angelou
Herbs for Confidence | Stones for Confidence | Journaling for Confidence
How to bring an abundance of confidence to your life:
Believe in yourself and your abilities — Even if something is new, be confident that you can handle the process of learning. This allows you to face challenges with a sense of certainty and conviction, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Be willing to take risks — Step outside of your comfort zone and take on new challenges, even if they are difficult or risky. Be willing to feel scared, learn from mistakes, and understand that failure is an acceptable result of risk-taking.
Be persistent — Overcome obstacles and setbacks and pursue your goals even in the face of adversity. Without persistence, it can be difficult to maintain the courage and boldness needed to achieve great things.
Herbs, stones, and journaling are tools that can help support confidence, risk-taking, and persistence, thereby fueling an abundance of courage.
(Disclaimer: Though the information below is deemed reliable, due to lack of funding, medical evidence is limited and ambiguous. I encourage you to listen to your intuition and healthcare provider when it comes to choosing herbs — what is right for some is not for others — yet, if it feels right, it likely is.)
Herbs for Confidence
Drinking herbal teas can offer soothing and calming ritual that boosts confidence and promotes feelings of well-being. Here are some ways that drinking herbal tea can help build confidence:
Promotes relaxation: Some herbs help promote relaxation and calmness, which can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety that may be contributing to a lack of confidence.
Enhances mood: Some herbs are believed to have mood-enhancing properties. By improving mood, individuals may feel more positive and optimistic, which can contribute to greater confidence.
Improves cognitive function: Certain herbs are believed to improve cognitive function and enhance memory. Feeling more mentally sharp and focused may improve confidence in one’s abilities to handle challenges and make decisions.
Supports physical health: Many herbs have health benefits that can contribute to overall physical health and wellness. By taking care of physical health, individuals may feel more confident in their bodies and abilities.
Provides ritual: The act of brewing and sipping herbal tea can be a comforting and soothing ritual that helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation. By incorporating ritual into daily routine, individuals may feel more grounded and centered, which can contribute to greater confidence.
Herbs that complement early spring are stimulating and invigorating with a focus on supporting energy, vitality and confidence. Here are some herbs that may be particularly useful:
Using Herbs for Focus, Energy and Persistence:
Peppermint is known for its invigorating and refreshing aroma and flavor. It may help to stimulate the mind, improve focus, and boost energy, all of which can contribute to a more confident mindset.
Rosemary is often used as a natural remedy to improve cognitive function, memory, and concentration. It may also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can interfere with confidence.
Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that is known to increase energy, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity. It contains ginsenosides, which are believed to stimulate the central nervous system and improve cognitive function.
Ashwagandha is another adaptogenic herb that is often used to promote energy and reduce stress. It is believed to help balance cortisol levels in the body, which can help reduce feelings of fatigue and improve overall energy levels.
Licorice root is another adaptogenic herb that is often used to promote energy and reduce fatigue. It is believed to help soothe the adrenal glands, which can help improve stress response and promote feelings of calm and energy.
Ginkgo biloba is commonly used to improve memory and cognitive function. It is believed to increase blood flow to the brain, which can help improve mental clarity and focus.
Using Herbs for Confidence, Relaxation and Sense of Well-Being:
St. John's Wort is used to promote feelings of confidence and reduce anxiety, and is believed to work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain, thus helping to improve mood and reduce feelings of fear and uncertainty.
Lavender may help reduce feelings of stress and promote feelings of calm.
Lemon balm is known for its calming properties and is often used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It is also believed to help improve mood and promote feelings of well-being. Lemon balm has a calming and soothing effect on the nervous system, which may help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It may also help to improve mood and boost cognitive function.
Chamomile is another herb that is known for its calming properties. It is often used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It is also believed to help promote restful sleep and reduce stress.
Valerian root is a herb that has been used for centuries to help promote relaxation and reduce feelings of anxiety. It is believed to have sedative properties that can help calm the nervous system and promote restful sleep.
Passionflower is often used to help reduce feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation. It may have properties which sooth the nervous system and promote restful sleep.
Overall, these herbs and roots work to promote confidence and persistence because they are known for their calming, stimulating, and mood-enhancing properties. Do note that while these herbs are generally considered safe, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional before using them, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications. It's also important to note that herbs should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. However, incorporating herbs into a daily self-care routine may help promote feelings of calmness, well-being, and confidence.
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott
This quote by Louisa May Alcott, an American novelist and poet, speaks to the importance of confidence in facing challenges. By learning how to sail her ship, Alcott suggests that she is building her skills and abilities, which in turn gives her the confidence to face the storms ahead. It suggests that it is through persistence that we learn to navigate the storms of life. By continuing to sail our ships even in difficult conditions, we become stronger and more resilient.
Stones for Confidence
Crystals have been used for centuries for their purported healing and spiritual properties. While the scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited, some believe that certain crystals can help with building courage and confidence. Here are some ways in which crystals might help:
Encourage positive thinking: Many crystals are believed to have the ability to absorb negative energy and promote positive thinking. By helping to clear negative thoughts and emotions, crystals can help individuals feel more courageous and confident.
Provide a physical reminder: Some people believe that carrying a crystal with them can serve as a physical reminder to stay positive and confident in the face of challenges. It can serve as a tangible source of comfort and strength.
Enhance inner strength: Some crystals are believed to help build inner strength and resilience. By grounding and stabilizing one's energy, these crystals can provide a sense of inner calm and stability that can lead to greater courage.
Stones that complement this bold, adventurous, and energetic time of year tend to be energizing and supportive of personal power, courage, and initiative. Here are a few examples of stones that are commonly associated building courage and confidence:
Carnelian is associated with creativity, vitality, and motivation. It is said to help support physical energy and sexual vitality. Carnelian is also believed to help increase self-confidence and courage.
Bloodstone is known for its grounding and protective properties and is believed to help support physical vitality and strength. It may help increase feelings of safety and security, while also helping to enhance courage and determination. Bloodstone is also believed to help improve mental clarity and focus.
Clear quartz is believed to be a master healer and is associated with clarity, focus, and amplification of energy. It is said to help support overall balance and vitality.
Citrine is a crystal that is often used to promote energy and positivity. It is believed to help improve confidence and motivation, leading to an increase in energy and vitality.
Red jasper is believed to provide physical and emotional strength, courage, and vitality.
Tiger's eye is believed to promote mental clarity, focus, and courage.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of crystals is largely based on personal beliefs and experiences. While some people may find them helpful, others may not. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide if and how they want to incorporate crystals into their personal growth and development. When choosing stones, it's always a good idea to select those that resonate with you personally and to use them in a way that feels supportive and beneficial for you.
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." - Nelson Mandela
Journaling for Confidence
Journaling can be a helpful tool for building courage and confidence because it allows individuals to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and private space. Here are some ways that journaling can help build confidence:
Provides an outlet for expressing fears and anxieties: Journaling can help individuals identify and explore their fears and anxieties. By putting them down on paper, individuals can gain a better understanding of what is causing their fears and develop strategies for overcoming them.
Helps identify personal strengths and values: Journaling can help individuals identify their personal strengths and values. By reflecting on their past experiences and accomplishments, individuals can build confidence in their abilities and develop a greater sense of self-worth.
Allows for goal setting and tracking progress: Journaling can be a helpful tool for setting goals and tracking progress. By setting small achievable goals, individuals can build confidence in their ability to overcome challenges and develop a greater sense of courage.
journaling prompts for building confidence:
What are three things I accomplished today that I am proud of?
What are three personal strengths that I possess, and how have I demonstrated them in the past?
What is a personal goal that I have been hesitant to pursue, and what steps can I take to move towards achieving it?
What is a negative self-belief that I hold about myself, and how can I challenge and reframe it in a more positive light?
What is something that I have been afraid to do, and what steps can I take to face that fear?
What is a mistake that I have made in the past, and what did I learn from it?
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
I leave you with a poem and encourage you to find your courage — whatever it may be. Make the most of this short, sweet life and do not let fear get the best of you.
-Sara
"Spring"
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of the crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.