How keeping small promises helped me rebuild trust in myself — one step, one breath, one day at a time.
“I’ve never tried that before, so I’m sure I’ll be great at it.”
— Pippi Longstocking
This line always makes me smile.
It’s playful, outrageous, and bold — the kind of thing most of us wouldn’t dare say out loud.
But Pippi said it with pride.
Wild braids. Mismatched socks. A monkey on her shoulder.
She didn’t ask for permission to be confident. She just was.
I Didn’t Grow Up With That Kind of Confidence
In the Catholic south of the Netherlands, where I grew up, confidence was often confused with arrogance.
We were taught to be kind, humble, quiet.
Perfection was praised. Mistakes weren’t part of the story.
It took me years — decades — to unlearn that.
And even now, in my 50s, I still bump into those old expectations.
But life has also taught me something else.
Confidence Isn’t Knowing — It’s Trusting Yourself Anyway
Some of the most meaningful decisions I’ve made weren’t made with certainty — they were made with a deep, quiet sense of readiness.
- I helped build MBA programs around the world.
- I left a secure consultancy job to launch my own business — Mindbreeze.
- I homeschooled my kids while living off-grid on a boat in Dubai.
- I started over in Portugal. Twice.
- I chose to rebuild a life and identity after devastating loss.
None of these choices came with guarantees.
But I moved forward anyway — because something in me said: You can do this.
That’s what confidence has become for me.
Not the absence of fear.
But the willingness to act with it.
Confidence Is a Practice
Real confidence isn’t built in a single bold moment.
It grows over time — through steady effort, grounded rituals, and showing up when it’s inconvenient.
Here’s how I build mine:
🏃 Movement
I walk, swim, do yoga, lift weights.
Not to perform — to stay fit for what’s ahead of me.
These moments anchor me. They remind me I’m strong, even when I forget.
🥗 Nourishment
I eat what makes me feel clear, steady, and whole.
No guilt. No punishment. Just food that supports me — body and mind.
😴 Rest
Sleep used to be the thing I sacrificed first.
Now, it’s non-negotiable. The better I rest, the better I rise.
These aren’t wellness routines.
They’re acts of self-trust — small promises I make and keep.
That’s where confidence is born.
Not in grand gestures. But in quiet, consistent action.
What Promise Will You Make to Yourself Today?
If you’re waiting to feel confident before you take action —
Let this be your invitation to try it the other way around.
Start with the smallest step.
Then take another.
And another.
Confidence will meet you along the way.
Say YES to Life Again
My 12-week coaching program, Say YES to Life Again, is a private, transformational space for women in midlife who are ready to rebuild trust in themselves — without pressure, without performance.
We work from the inside out.
We let go of what no longer fits.
And we build new strength — grounded, real, and fully yours.
If this resonates and you’re curious to explore what this journey might look like for you, I’d love to talk.
Email me at marielle@mindbreeze.ae
No pressure — just a real, human conversation.
