When I heard that women had been turned away from the Cannes Film Festival for wearing flats, I was frustrated. Not only were they discriminated against for their apparel choices, but for making healthier, safer ones. I was also, I’m embarrassed to admit, envious of those women. It would have taken courage for me to attend an upscale event in flats. That really got me thinking. 

I spent years working hard to move past a serious eating disorder and decades of body dysmorphia. I speak and write professionally about positive body image and have virtually no negative thoughts about my looks or appearance. And yet, the thought of not wearing tall, angular shoes made my palms sweat. I decided to give heels up for a year, a personal campaign that’s part personal growth challenge, part social experiment. 

Weeks into my #HeelFree campaign, I’ve already learned a great deal. Most women wear high heels, it seems, in order to feel more confident and attractive. Numerous have admitted to me that they feel the need to compensate for their perceived “flaws.” Most have also experienced negative side effects of the shoes, particularly pain. 

Whether you wear heels or not, there are ways to gain confidence without them. 

5 Ways to Stand With Confidence

1. Stand like Superwoman. Standing tall, with your hands on your hips and your feet hips-width apart even for minutes a day can boost self-confidence, according to Amy Cuddy. Her research shows that doing so raises levels of the feel-good chemicals testosterone and cortisol and even increase our odds of academic or professional success. 
2. Add affirmations. Negative self-talk works against self-confidence significantly. While you’re standing like the superwoman you are, say or ponder empowering thoughts. Say, “I’m worthy and beautiful, inside and out, just the way I am,” for example. Even if you don’t believe fully it, doing so may convince you otherwise over time. Better yet, post affirmations on your bathroom mirror as well.
3. Prioritize wellness. High heels don’t just increase our height. They raise our risk for arthritis, tendon strain, chronic foot pain and other ailments. Feeling healthy and energized promotes self-confidence and increases our attractiveness to ourselves and others. If you wear heels, do so in moderation, avoiding heels higher than two inches. If you don’t, take pride in knowing your body will thank you.
4. Dress how you feel best. I’m not talking about clothes that make you appear slimmer, taller or any different that you naturally are. I mean clothes that lift your spirits. When I’m having a blah day or could use a quick confidence boost, I wear my favorite textures and colors. For added strength, wear an item associated with happy memories or loved ones.
5. Just breathe. Deep breathing is a powerful relaxer. If you’re feeling stressed or nervous about appearing publicly or how others might perceive you, take a few slow, deep breaths from your abdomen -- not our chest. Let your belly move outward as you inhale. Rather than “suck in,” allow yourself to breathe. You’ll probably feel stronger and more peaceful as a result.