As someone who dreams of becoming a news presenter, I’ve had to start working on mine early. You can’t exactly mumble your way through live TV. But building confidence hasn’t meant changing who I am. It’s been about getting comfortable with who I already am (awkward moments, nerves and all).

For me, it started small. Reading aloud at school, volunteering to present in class (even if my voice shook), and asking questions when I didn’t understand something. I didn’t wake up confident—I showed up, even when I wasn’t sure of myself.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1. No one’s watching as closely as you think. Most people are too busy worrying about themselves to notice if you stumble over a sentence. So stop obsessing over “messing up.”
2. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it does make progress. I read articles out loud at home, record myself, and play them back. It’s awkward, but it works. You hear what you sound like, and over time, you start sounding better.
3. Speak to yourself the way you’d speak to a friend. I used to be brutal with myself. Now I try to be encouraging. You can’t build confidence on a foundation of self-hate.
4. Surround yourself with people who see your potential. Whether it’s a teacher, a mate, or your cousin who hypes you up in every group chat, lean into that support.

Confidence isn’t about being loud or flawless. It’s about showing up, trying again, and learning to back yourself. I’m still working on it, and that’s okay. We’re all perfect works-in-progress!