Overall confidence key

the way your posture affects how you feel, using "power poses" as a tip to increase self-confidence. Slumping can make you feel more sad, while sitting up straight and holding your head high can make you feel instantly more powerful.

"Changing how you are positioning your body tricks your mind into holding the emotion that you would hold in a more upright posture." The next time you're feeling particularly down, try correcting your posture.

Keeping a positive affirmation tucked away in your mind is always a good idea — pulling it out when you need it can help you feel good about yourself. Think of something that works for you. You can look for ideas online or just think up something on your own.

The phrase definitely doesn't need to be complicated or long. Michelle told INSIDER, "When I feel scared, I say, 'You've got this.'"

Simple as that. Repeat it in your head until you actually feel it.

The main reason many of us don't feel confident is that we don't really let ourselves. We are, after all, our own worst critics. There are tons of things we say to ourselves that we would never even think of saying to anyone else (except maybe our worst enemies).

Although most confidence issues come from within, sometimes a particularly bad self-esteem day can come from the way others treat you. You can't let them bring you down all the time. In order to get past this, accept that criticism sucks and learn how to move past it.

Just like adjusting your posture can change your attitude, so can specific breathing techniques. When you're feeling anxious, you're often told to breathe deeply and slowly to calm yourself down. Something similar can make you feel a little bit more confident at times, especially in nerve-wracking moments.

Michelle told INSIDER, "There is no specific breathing technique here. The question to ask yourself is, 'how would I be breathing right now if I was at my most confident?'"

Think about it, then go from there.

You probably have one thing in mind that you know makes you feel more confident. Maybe it's a dress you think you look great in, or maybe it's a certain lipstick that gives you a power boost.

Michelle told INSIDER, "I warn away from suggesting clothing items or beauty products to improve your body image, but if there is something you can wear that will make you feel more positive, go for it!"

You shouldn't always be dependent on certain items to feel confident, but if they can help get you there in the long run, work it.

Again, it's important to remember that confidence is a lifelong journey. It won't always be easy, even if you work really hard at it — and that's okay.