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Have you ever found yourself wondering…

“Where did my confidence go?”

Perhaps you’ve returned from maternity leave and suddenly find yourself second-guessing decisions you used to make instinctively.

Maybe you’re apologising more in meetings, questioning your abilities, or feeling like everyone else has moved on while you’ve been away.

Or perhaps you’re navigating a completely different transition- a redundancy, divorce, burnout, perimenopause, a health challenge, or a major career change – and you’re left with the unsettling feeling that you just don’t feel like yourself anymore.

If so, I want you to know this…

Your confidence probably isn’t the real problem.

Why listen?

In this episode of Wisdom for Working Mums, I explore why confidence often dips after life’s biggest transitions, why it’s not simply a personal mindset issue, and why the answer lies much deeper than simply trying to “be more confident.”

Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and over twenty years of coaching experience, I explain how identity transitions shape the way we see ourselves. Together, we’ll explore concepts such as the Motherhood Penalty, matrescence, self-esteem and self-image, and why so many capable people start doubting themselves, not because they’ve become less capable, but because they’re navigating profound personal and professional change.

Whether you’re preparing to return to work after parental leave, rebuilding after a setback, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, my hope is that this episode leaves you feeling understood, reassured and equipped with a new perspective on confidence.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

* Why confidence is often a symptom, not the root cause.

* The difference between self-confidence and self-esteem and why it matters.

* How the Motherhood Penalty and unconscious bias can shape the stories we tell ourselves.

* What matrescence is, and why understanding it can transform the way you see yourself after becoming a parent.

* Why major life transitions can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves.

* A simple evidence-based practice to help you start rebuilding your self-esteem.

What you’ll take away from this episode

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

* Understand why losing confidence after a major life transition is far more common, and far more understandable, than you might think.

* Stop blaming yourself and recognise the hidden psychological and societal factors that can undermine your confidence.

* Discover why confidence isn’t the real problem, and why rebuilding self-esteem is the key to lasting change.

* Learn how identity transitions, including matrescence, can reshape your priorities, values and sense of self.

* Gain a simple, evidence-based practice to help you reconnect with your strengths and begin rebuilding your confidence from the inside out.

* Leave with greater self-compassion, renewed hope, and a new way of thinking about confidence.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” this conversation is for you.

You can read the transcript here