Confidence is a funny thing. It’s not something you either have or don’t – it moves. It shifts. And sometimes, without warning, it dips.
This is the story of how a ski trip reminded me of that — and what I learned about rebuilding confidence in midlife.
The Ski Trip Confidence Wobble
It had been five years since I’d last skied, and I was excited to be back on the mountain. I’d done a fair bit of skiing and snowboarding over the years and considered myself a solid intermediate. I knew the drill – the gear, the lifts, the early starts to catch the best snow.
On the first morning, I joined a small group of intermediate skiers from the Adventure Yogi retreat – people I’d only met the night before, but was to be spending the week with. They all seemed confident. Some were familiar with the resort, and everyone was moving at a decent pace, despite tricky conditions: white-out skies, low visibility, unfamiliar runs.
A subtle pressure began to build – to keep up, to hold my own.
And slowly, quietly, my confidence began to dip.
I started snowploughing – a beginner move I hadn’t used in years. It caught me off guard. I knew how to parallel ski (like all the others), but my mind had shifted into self-protection mode.
It rattled me. The doubt came quickly:
Why did I book this trip? Am I too old to ski now? When I’ve done this run, I’ll just go back to the apartment.
Had I overestimated myself and joined the wrong group?
My inner critic had arrived — and it wasn’t giving up.
Rebuilding Confidence Mid-Trip
That evening, over dinner, it turned out I wasn’t the only one who’d felt somewhat shaky. Sharing stories, laughing about the wipeouts, and hearing others be honest about their nerves helped more than I expected.
Later, in our post-ski Yoga Nidra session, we were invited to repeat the words: I am strong. I am capable. I am enough.
At the time, I didn’t connect them to skiing. But somehow, they worked their way in – supporting a quiet shift.
Confidence can return in surprising ways — through stillness, breath, and remembering your own strength.
On the mat, I felt steady. Confident. Yoga was familiar, grounding. And in that space, I remembered: this is what confidence feels like.
It reminded me that confidence isn’t fixed. It moves. It dips. And — it returns.
Straight after, I booked 1:1 ski lessons for the next three days. I wanted to get back to skiing with ease and to the level I knew I was capable of. I went to bed feeling lighter and happier. The promise of blue skies and sunshine helped too. I felt genuinely excited to get back out there.
Finding My Flow Again
The next morning, I gave myself permission to ski at my own pace. To focus on my technique, to stay present, and enjoy the moment – not worry about what anyone else was doing.
By the time I met my instructor, I was eager to learn, to give things a go, and to find my groove again. Having someone guide me gave me exactly what I needed: confidence, enjoyment, and a sense of progress.
Why Confidence Can Dip in Midlife
Confidence in midlife is a unique challenge. It’s not just about skills, experience, or how we perform. It’s about how we feel within ourselves, how others perceive us, and how we relate to the changes happening both inside and outside.
As we age, our bodies change, our energy fluctuates, and we start to reassess who we are – what still fits, and what no longer serves us. These shifts can feel disorienting, even overwhelming.
Culturally, midlife can be a tricky place to navigate too. In some cultures, older women are revered for their wisdom and experience. In others, we can feel invisible, or pressured to fade into the background. This contrast makes it easy to lose sight of our confidence – or to believe it belongs only to a younger version of ourselves.
But here’s the thing: midlife also brings perspective. We become more attuned to when something feels off. And we gain the ability to make shifts – small or big – that help us move forward.
This isn’t the end of the story. It’s just a chapter. And with time, confidence can return — often stronger than before.
How I Bounced Back: 10 Ways to Rebuild Confidence
- Acknowledging the dip – Naming what I was feeling helped me move through it.
- Taking intuitive action – Booking a lesson, reaching out, and showing up for myself made a difference.
- Skiing at my own pace – Letting go of comparison and focusing on my progress.
- Returning to affirmations – “I am strong. I am capable. I am enough” became a quiet, steady reset.
- Letting movement create momentum – Confidence doesn’t return by standing still.
- Connecting with others – Honest conversations reminded me this can happen to anyone.
- Trusting the ebb and flow – No feeling is final. Confidence returns when we stay open to it.
- Reconnecting with skill – Getting back to basics and remembering I can do this helped me find my footing again.
- Finding my rhythm – Confidence came through repetition, not rush.
- Letting action lead – Confidence didn’t arrive first. It followed. Every small action counted.
By the end of the week, my skiing was better than ever. I recognised what was really happening, took responsibility for my experience, and moved forward with intention – all while treating myself with kindness.
I felt proud of how I navigated the dip. It’s tempting to walk (or ski) away, but doing so would only have weakened my confidence further.
Confidence isn’t about never wobbling. It’s about trusting yourself enough to keep going, even when things feel uncertain.
Confidence Always Finds Its Way Back
If you feel like your confidence has taken a dip, it can feel like you’ve taken ten steps back. But really, you’re being invited to check in – to remember who you are, what you’re capable of, and what you need next.
Your confidence isn’t lost. It’s just finding a new way to show up. And when you meet it halfway – with kindness, curiosity, and courage – it will always find its way back to you.
