Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks on great and honourable courses with sure hope and trust in itself. Cicero
Confidence is a complex psychological construct influenced by various factors, and it can fluctuate over time and in different contexts. Confidence refers to a belief in oneself, one's abilities, and one's worth. It is a state of assurance and self-assurance; a feeling that one can have faith in, or rely on, oneself, someone, or something.
Oftentimes we hear others say, "They lack confidence" ; "I need to be more confident"; "I have never been a confident person." In general terms there is a sense of the self somehow lacking. That one lacks confidence in the 'self' and tasks it has to undertake to live life. Living life with confidence can be a minute-to-minute, day-to-day, month-by-month, or even a lifelong sense of being able to operate in the world with confidence.
LARCH For those who do not consider themselves as good or capable as those around them, who expect failure, who feel that they will never be a success, and so do not venture or make a strong enough attempt to succeed.
Bach, Edward. The Essential Writings of Dr Edward Bach (p. 20). Ebury Publishing. Kindle Edition.
The felt sense can also be a fear to try in case failure looms or simply the fear of failure in and of itself. It creates a sense that you cannot be successful and can even lead to feelings of inferiority. It can manifest in times when the pressure to succeed or perform in some way increases; think exams, promotion at work, a performance, etc. And occasionally it can just be a sense of your self as an identity construct.
No matter the situation, a sense of lost confidence can be debilitating in the short term and prevent you from moving forward in the long term. How does a lack of confidence manifest in your life?
From a Bach flower remedy perspective, Larch is the remedy for lacking, or loss of, confidence; it belongs in the group: despondency and despair. We can mix larch in our water bottle or tea/coffee and take a few drops while this feeling pervades. It will gently and quietly ease your sense of self and help you persevere, face challenges, keep trying even in the face of failure, and take mindful risks toward something important. In a sense it brings gentle courage, which Dr Susan David (David, 2018) describes as picking up our fear and moving with it anyway!
‘Our work is steadfastly to adhere to the simplicity and purity of this method of healing.’
References:
David, S. (2018) Emotional agility. Penguin USA.
Edward. B (2005) The Essential Writings of Dr Edward Bach. Vermilion
Bach Flower Remedies