Feeling confident on a night out can be a good place to start as you means to go on, because while we may enjoy liquid courage (or not, if you’re pacing yourself or driving home), it’s easy to feel a touch anxious, especially if you’re a parent or haven’t been out for a while.
You don’t need to wear the perfect clothes or have flawless makeup to feel your best, but it’s nice to dress up and a touch more than you usually would. This confidence comes from feeling comfortable and relaxed, ready to enjoy whatever the evening brings then, instead of like trying to force the evening to go a certain way. If you’re someone who find themselves overthinking every detail before going out, especially when meeting new people or trying somewhere different, don’t worry, we can help you with that.
Without further ado, please consider how to feel your most confident on a night out.
Prepare Your Outfit
You know that last-minute panic when you realize it’s time to leave and you’re still not sure what to wear or are uncertain about your actual choices? Yeah, let’s not do that. If you pick something out ahead of time, you won’t waste time stressing. You’ll just know what you’re putting on and can move on to the fun part of getting ready, perhaps with a friend.
Don’t make this into an arcane practice, just go for something that feels comfy and a little special. It doesn’t have to be perfect or over-the-top. It’s more about what makes you feel good, such as a favorite fragrance or pair of shoes you can trust. Once you’ve got that sorted, everything else can fall into place. You’ll walk out the door feeling more confident because you’re not running around last-minute wondering if that shirt looks weird or if that coat hangs on you incorrectly. The outfit is already figured out, and you’re good to go.
A Relaxed Preparation
Nothing makes you feel more off than rushing around before you head out, because trying to squeeze in a million things in the last hour just leads to stress. So, give yourself enough time to actually chill while getting ready. It doesn’t have to be an ice bath or three hour nap, but taking your time means you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Start by putting on a good playlist or grabbing a drink you like. Then remember to take your time with your hair, makeup, or whatever else you normally do to get ready. When you’re not in a rush, you actually get to enjoy the process, which helps you feel more confident when you’re finally done, and it’s like a nice little low-pressure ritual you can use to psyche yourself up for fun.
Focus on Feeling Good
What are you going out for? To impress, or to feel good? Often, we think it’s the latter, but it’s really the former. It’s way more important to feel safe and happy in whatever you’re wearing as a result, so don’t go out of your way if it doesn’t feel like it’s you. If you’re constantly worried about whether your hair is perfect or if your outfit’s just right, you’ll miss out on enjoying yourself.
Meet Friends Beforehand
Sometimes, the best way to ease into a night out is by meeting up with friends beforehand. If you have time you can make a connection for this earlier in the day. You might decide on grabbing a quick coffee, catching up at someone’s house, or just chatting before heading out, which can help those with a little anxiety feel so much more connected before they leave the front door.
Don’t Force It
Sometimes, you just have to let the night unfold however it’s going to unfold. The more you try to control every little detail or force things to go a certain way, the more likely it is to feel off. If you’re out trying to make everything perfect, you’re missing the point, as the best nights are often the ones that just happen naturally.
So, try not to stress too much. If the vibe’s not exactly what you imagined, that’s alright, just go with the flow, and just enjoy the moment. You don’t necessarily have to give your time to people who don’t deserve it, and so being polite and open but also mindful of how your night goes can be important. It gives you space to move and relax.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily feel your most confident on a night out, by making you feel at peace with the idea, especially if you’re in your 30s and doing this is less common.
