How Your Environment Silently Shapes Your Confidence

Have you ever noticed how the energy of your environment can slowly change you?

I used to think I was immune to it. I’d walk into work full of optimism, my mind buzzing with ideas and my energy high. For weeks—maybe even months—I fought hard to hold onto that positivity, determined not to let the negativity around me take hold. I told myself that my confidence and drive were strong enough to withstand the pressure.

But over time, the effects began to creep in. The constant exposure to a tense, hyper-critical atmosphere started to erode my spirit. Without realizing it, I found myself mirroring the very energy I had tried so hard to resist. I began nitpicking, focusing on flaws, and feeling frustrated by things that wouldn’t have bothered me before. My once bright and enthusiastic outlook had dimmed, and I ended each day feeling drained and disconnected from my confident self.

Sound familiar

The truth is, our brains are wired to mirror the emotions and behaviors of those around us. It’s thanks to something called mirror neurons*, which help us empathize and connect with others. While this is great for building relationships and understanding people better, it also means that negativity can rub off on us more than we realize. Even the most confident, self-assured person can be affected by a toxic environment if they’re exposed to it long enough.

The Turning Point

Once I recognized what was happening, I knew I had to be proactive about protecting my energy and, ultimately, my confidence. I started paying close attention to what—and who—was impacting me most. I realized that certain people and situations consistently left me feeling drained, while others lifted me up and made me feel more like myself.

So, I developed a practice to counteract the negative energy and keep my confidence intact.

Practical Tips to Protect Your Confidence

Energy Awareness Practice

Take some time to reflect on how different people and environments affect you. Make a list of those that leave you feeling uplifted versus those that drain you. Notice any patterns. Understanding where your energy goes is the first step to taking back control.

Ask yourself: Who are the people that make me feel good about myself, and who are the ones that make me question my worth?

Schedule Time to Decompress

After interactions with people or situations that drain your energy, set aside 30 minutes to reset. During this time, do something that brings your mirror neurons back to neutral and restores your natural, confident state. This could be going for a walk, listening to music that lifts your spirit, practicing deep breathing, or simply sitting in silence.

In the workforce, we will always encounter people who drain us and are difficult to work with. Don't waste your time trying to change them or getting flustered by their behavior. Control what you can control: you. I know exactly who those people are for me, and I make it a point to prepare myself before any interaction. I spend 30 minutes beforehand to prime my energy and mindset, and then 30 minutes afterward to reset, reflect, and move on. I take what I need to from those interactions, leave the rest behind, and focus on the next thing.

Why 30 minutes? It’s enough time to release the negative energy and recalibrate before moving on with your day. Being intentional about this practice is key to maintaining your confidence.

Create a Positivity Anchor

Find a ritual or activity that grounds you and brings you back to a state of confidence. This could be looking at a photo that makes you smile, reading an empowering quote, or visualizing a moment when you felt your most powerful. These small anchors can help you reclaim your energy and remember your worth.

I like to write down one thing I’m grateful for or reflect on a past success. It’s a simple but effective way to shift my focus from what’s wrong to what’s right.

Confidence Is an Ongoing Practice

The lesson here? Confidence isn’t just something you have; it’s something you cultivate and protect. Our surroundings shape us more than we realize, but with awareness and intentional practices, we can stay grounded in our worth and continue to show up as our most confident selves.

Your Call to Action: The next time you feel negativity creeping in, give yourself the gift of 30 minutes to reset. Notice how it transforms your mood, energy, and sense of self. And if you have your own practices for protecting your energy, I’d love to hear them—let’s learn and grow together!

Here’s to protecting our energy and cultivating unshakeable confidence,

Nayli

*https://positivepsychology.com/mirror-neurons/