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Finding Confidence After PMDD & Trauma: How to Reclaim Your True Self

By Anna Pearce-Roberts | Her Shift Podcast

Are you struggling to feel confident after years of PMDD, trauma, or just too many voices telling you who you “should” be? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode of the Her Shift Podcast, I’m sharing the real talk on what confidence actually looks like for women like us—and how to start reconnecting with your true self, even when life feels overwhelming.

What Is Real Confidence? (It’s Not “Faking It”)

If you’ve ever tried to “fake it till you make it” and ended up exhausted, you’re in good company. Real confidence isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about knowing—even in tiny ways—what’s true for you right now.For women living with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) or healing from trauma, self-trust can feel like a distant memory. But it is possible to rebuild it, step by step.

Why Confidence Feels So Hard After PMDD or Trauma

PMDD and trauma (especially gaslighting or emotional abuse) can leave you doubting your reality. You might feel fragmented, anxious, or like you’ve lost touch with who you are.Here’s the truth: 

  • You’re not broken.

  • You’re becoming.

  • Confidence is a practice, not a destination.

Gentle Self-Discovery: Steps to Reclaim Your Confidence

1. Start With Small Truths

Ask yourself: What do I know is true for me? 

  • “I like tea more than coffee.” 

  • “I can spell Wednesday without spellcheck.” 

  • “I love dogs.”


    No truth is too small.

2. Explore Your Boundaries & Preferences

  • What makes you feel safe? 

  • Where do you say “yes” when you mean “no”? 

  • What drains you vs. what lights you up? 

  • Are these beliefs really yours, or did you pick them up from someone else?

3. Journal Your Way Back to You

Journaling isn’t just for poets. Try these prompts (no pressure to write full sentences!): 

  • What does my body need right now, even if my mind disagrees? 

  • If I could talk to myself like a friend, what would I say? 

  • What do I wish someone would say to me right now? 

  • What’s one tiny step I can take to feel even 1% better?

(For more prompts, check out the PMDD Survival Kit – it’s free!)

4. Honor Your Cyclical Nature

If you’re living with PMDD or just want to honor your natural rhythms, try tracking your cycle and energy patterns. 

  • Rest in your menstrual phase. 

  • Embrace curiosity in your follicular phase. 

  • Trust your clarity during ovulation. 

  • Allow sensitivity in your luteal phase.

Healing Is Messy—You’re Allowed to Change

Your sense of self might feel like a jigsaw puzzle after a toddler’s tantrum. That’s okay. Healing isn’t linear, and you’re allowed to outgrow old preferences (and people).Remember: Confidence is a journey of self-acceptance, not perfection.

Listen to the Full Episode

Ready for more honest, no-BS support?🎧 Listen to “Finding Confidence: Discovering Your True Self” on the Her Shift PodcastAvailable on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube.

Free Resources for Your Journey

Join the Her Shift Community

📌 Follow me on Instagram @theannapr & TikTok @theannapr for daily PMDD tips and women’s wellness contentYou’re not alone—together, we’re shifting the narrative on women’s mental health, one episode at a time.

Want more?Subscribe to the Her Shift Podcast and never miss an episode.Questions or feedback? Contact me here.

Copyright © 2025 Anna Pearce-Roberts | Her Shift

 
 
 

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