Every tween struggles with confidence at some point along the way - it’s a natural part of growing up and a common issue during this formative time of life.
When it comes to ’fits that are equal parts comfy and slay, we’ve got your tween covered. But the most important accessory a girl can have comes from within - the confidence to own her look, feel comfortable with who she is, and believe in herself, regardless of what she’s wearing when she walks out the door and into the world.
While the spectrum of confidence is vast, varying from tweens who’ve got it all figured out to those dealing with big emotions, surging hormones and complex social dilemmas, it’s widely reported that many young girls are struggling with low self-esteem.
Managing confidence issues is a minefield for parents and tweens alike so we’ve put together some of our favourite insights from our [recent podcast chat] with Sharks NRLW player and Dally M medallist, Rhiannon Byers, on tween topics including self-esteem, friendship, community and wellbeing.
Have a trusted role model
Having someone you can look up to when you're young can have a big impact on shaping who you are and how you navigate the challenges of life. “I had a great role model growing up," says Rihannon. “They can help you navigate body image issues, confidence issues and social pressures when they arise. They can also inspire you to achieve great things.”
Find your ‘ride or die’ friends
Friends are an important part of life, but learning what constitutes a good friend is really important to ensure you have the right people in your corner. “If you have good friends around you, you can achieve anything you set your mind to,” says Rihannon. But pay attention to how people make you feel. “True friends allow you to be yourself, you shouldn’t ever have to change yourself in any way to fit in with other people. That’s not friendship," she says. “Also, friends can be competitive with each other, as long as it's in good spirits and you're still supporting each other,” she says.
Lean on your network when you need to
Keeping active and healthy through good nutrition, taking part in hobbies you’re passionate about and playing team sports are all good ways to maintain a sense of wellbeing, build self-esteem and build confidence at a young age. But it's just as important to have a strong network (even if it's small) of family and friends you can lean on when you really need to. “Notice the people who are there for you in your worst times, not just the good ones. It’s the people who have your back no matter what that help get you through tough times, that’s the network that will help you overcome tough times,” says Rihannon.
Join a community
‘Belonging’ to something is important. If you don't have a community yet, join one or create your own: you could start a book club or a friendship circle, or create a sporting team. Find a charity you can be a part of and volunteer. Aside from being a star NRLW player, Rihannon mentors young indigenous kids and finds value in giving back to her community. “Being part of a community, working on yourself to be a better person, showing kindness and acknowledging people are all important values,” she says.
We care about the things that affect young people. Check us out in The Leader speaking about the Australian government’s social media ban for young Aussies.
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