Can you relate to struggling with low self-esteem and low confidence? Poems about self-love and confidence may help you merge into a better state of mind. We all could use a bit of encouragement to pause and reflect on poems that will inspire us to take better care of ourselves emotionally and mentally.
I compiled a great list of 5 poems with the common theme of self-love and confidence. This list includes short poems, long poems, and excerpts from some of our favorite poetry collections. Enjoy!
The Best Poems About Self-Love and Confidence
VIII Reading Graffiti by Nikita Gill
Nobody can love you better than you love yourself.
Nobody can forgive your flaws better than you can forgive yourself.
Nobody can accept you better than you accept yourself.
Just look inside, and you will find all of the things
You search for in other people’s eyes.
Why we love it: Not only does Nikita Gill continuously put out amazing poems, they can easily be turned into positive affirmations for daily reminders to love, trust and feel good about ourselves. Each line can be written on sticky notes and kept in a journal or on a mirror.,
Related self-love post:
Self-Love Reminders Every Black Women Needs to Believe
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally,
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or,
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Why we love it: This is one of the first poems that made me feel seen and appreciated as a woman. It’s a celebration of all the things that make us women.
In what feels like a love letter to herself, Maya Angelou created what feels like one of the most powerful poems to help any black woman feel confident in her own skin.
Related Maya Angelou Post:
Maya Angelou quotes and celebrating the pivotal poem, Phenomenal Woman.
Short Love Poems by Rupi Kaur
i do not want to have you
to fill the empty parts of me
i want to be full on my own
i want to feel so complete
i could light a whole city
and then
i want to have you
cause the two of
us combined
could set
it on fire
Why we love it: Through her book of poems full of short love poems and self-love poems, Rupi Kaur teaches women and girls how to love themselves even in the face of adversity. This poem shows that you can be a confident person even while in love with someone else.
Related posts covering poetry:
7 Must-Have Poetry Books About Self-Love to Buy Yourself
Supermodel by Enijah Jacquee
I’m not looking for validation or acceptance,
I want to be desired with celebration of my presence.
Where I’m loved beyond perception and vanity
All the while my beauty is still cherished
As much as I see it myself.
Because I can stay alone with myself
Why we love it: Comparison can be the hardest hit to someone’s self-esteem. Telling her personal story in this poem, Enijah celebrates human nature, body image, and self-love. This is a self-esteem poem that reminds us that we are always enough.
Related post on body image and self-esteem:
10 Books About Body Image and Self-Esteem BIPOC Women Need
Promise Yourself by Christian D. Larson
To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
to talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
Not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
Why we love it: This one is so good that we had to share the entire poem. From the first stanza to the last, these inspirational words will encourage you to go about life with a cheerful expression, find your inner strength, and live a fulfilling life of love for yourself and others.
Poetry to Feel Better About Yourself
The next time you feel like you aren’t loving yourself as much as you should, consider revisiting these poems about self-love and confidence.
While being more confident and loving yourself cannot be conquered in a single day, there are little things you can do to make sure you are combating mental illness, taking control of your own life, and moving closer to your true self.
Consider reading this article on self-love:
3 Self-Love Habits That Changed my Life.
Share these beautiful words and confidence poems with another black woman in need.
Creative ways to share poems:
- Print them on beautiful paper and frame them.
- Engrave your favorite pair of lines into bracelets or necklaces. Keep one for yourself and give the other to your best friend.
- Have your favorite poem printed into a cute phone case and a gift for a birthday or holiday.
- Write a poem inside the cover of a self-love journal before gifting it to a friend.
Loved these posts? Check out these other self-love articles:
The 8 Self-Love Poems You Should be Reading to Yourself Right Now
7 Blogs About Self-Love That Will Make You Feel Good
27 songs About Loving Yourself You’ll Love Adding to Your Playlist