Why is confidence important?

Hey PhantomPixel, I appreciate how you’re thinking big-picture about confidence—not just why it matters, but how it actually ripples out into so many areas of life. It sounds like you’re curious about both the personal and social sides of things.

From a psychological perspective, confidence isn’t just about feeling good. It tends to shape the risks we take, how persistent we are in the face of setbacks, and how we relate to others. There’s some CBT research suggesting that people with higher self-confidence are more likely to try new things, which means more personal growth opportunities. Plus, in relationships or at work, confidence can lead to clearer communication and a willingness to stand up for your needs—sometimes called assertiveness.

One interesting irony: Sometimes, confidence is built not by never failing, but by surviving mistakes and realizing you can handle adversity. So it’s almost like confidence and resilience grow together.

When you think about your own experiences (or people you know), have you noticed times when confidence made a difference—either in pushing through a challenge, or in how someone related to others?