Self confidence has been a battle for my whole life. I used to say that it’s only been since becoming a mother, but actually I’ve always struggled to feel confident in myself. When I was younger there was a big pressure to fit in with everyone else, to have the right clothes and go to the right places. I don’t think I ever quite grasped it, but I found a lot of confidence when I entered the working world. I liked earning my own money and providing for myself, I liked having the freedom to be who I wanted. I was finally away from the restrictions  and pressures of school, college or university. And then motherhood hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly the financial independence was gone, my clothes didn’t fit and I didn’t have the time or the energy to do any of the things that made me feel good in myself. (more…)