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At some point, many women find themselves at a crossroads. This might happen after stepping back from the workforce to have kids, manage health issues, care for others, or simply reassess life. But there is one quiet, persistent barrier that often stands in the way: confidence.

Rebuilding confidence does not mean becoming someone new. It is about reconnecting with the capable, wise, and resilient version of yourself that is still right there, waiting to be seen again.

 Start with micro-bravery.

Confidence does not suddenly appear. It grows when you take action in spite of self-doubt. Psychologist Dr Russ Harris, author of The Confidence Gap, explains that confidence follows action, not the other way around. This means you cannot wait until you feel confident to begin. You must begin in small, brave ways to become confident.

This is where the idea of micro-bravery comes in. These are small, daily acts of courage that gently stretch your comfort zone without overwhelming you. Each one is a deposit into your confidence bank.

Try this: Speak up in a group chat. Send a LinkedIn message to someone you admire. Apply for a role even if you meet only 80% of the criteria. These actions may seem minor, but each one shows your brain that you can survive uncertainty—and even thrive in it.

Over time, these small moments compound and build a sense of self-trust that is far more powerful than any one-time burst of motivation.

The bar is NOT perfection

A 2019 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that perfectionism, especially socially prescribed perfectionism, strongly correlates with low self-esteem and high levels of anxiety in women (Stoeber & Madigan, 2019).

Instead of aiming to “be perfect again,” set goals that are satisfying and aligned with you and your priorities. Progress builds confidence far more sustainably than perfection ever could.

Try this: Choose a meaningful, achievable challenge each week. For example, reach out to a past colleague. Track each completed action in a notebook. Over time, you can easily see how much you have achieved.

Rewrite the story

Language matters, especially that little voice inside our heads.  Research in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) shows that how we interpret life events shapes our emotional wellbeing. Negative self-talk such as “I’m out of date” or “Who would hire me now?” can keep you stuck in place.

Try this: Practice reframing this. Instead of saying “I’ve been out of work too long,” try saying “I’ve had valuable life experiences that will help me lead, organise, and empathise in ways others may not.”

Pro tip: Say your reframed thoughts out loud. The brain processes spoken affirmations more strongly than silent ones, reinforcing new beliefs (Chen et al., 2016, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience).

Reconnect with women who energise you

Harvard Business Review article found that women who actively seek and maintain supportive, female-focused networks report significantly higher job satisfaction, faster re-entry into work, and greater belief in their capabilities.

Try this: Create or join a WhatsApp group or regular catch-up with like-minded women who are also planning to return to work. If you do not know anyone in the same situation, the Women Back to Work course includes an online community. You do not need to navigate this journey alone.

Borrow confidence

You do not need to know everything. Often, the fastest path to restored confidence is l. This earning.  This reminds you that you can adapt and grow.

Try this: Choose a course that meets you where you The Women Back to Work course is designed specifically for women re-entering the workforce after a break. From CV updates to confidence strategies, it is a roadmap for your next chapter.

Honour yourself

It takes courage to raise a family, to make sacrifices, to care for others, and to step back when needed. It takes even more courage to decide it is time to step back in.

Just because your skills have not been used in a workplace last week does not mean they have vanished. You have negotiated, managed time, solved problems, supported others, and kept things running. These are workplace skills.

Try this: Write down everything you have done in the past few years that involved leadership, responsibility, communication, or creativity include everything (paid and unpaid). Seeing your own strengths listed out can shift your mindset from “I’ve been out of work” to “I’ve been developing other skills or enhancing what I already have..”

You are not starting over. You are starting from experience.

Confidence is not a fixed trait. It is something that builds through action, reflection, and support. And you do not have to do this alone. The Women Back to Work online course offers practical guidance, a warm community, and a path forward designed specifically for women like you.