Roxie Nafousi's New Book Redefines Confidence In The Digital Age

Forbes

27-03-2025

With her new book release, Roxie Nafousi rededefines confidence in the digital age
Far from the brash self-assurance that dominates social media, true confidence speaks in much lower tones, notes Roxie Nafousi. 'It's quiet, grounded, and rooted in self-respect,' says the self-development coach, Podcast show host and bestselling author, whose latest work, Confidence: 8 Steps to Knowing Your Worth, releases today on March 27. Offering an antidote to the comparison-driven digital landscape where self-doubt flourishes, Nafousi's new book is set to redefine the way confidence is perceived and practiced in the internet age.
Perhaps not always the most obvious person to author a book on building confidence, Nafousi says she didn't always embody that unwavering belief. 'I was suffering with low self-esteem from 7 years old,' she reveals. 'I distinctly remember picking myself apart, feeling less than and like an outsider based on the way I looked and my Iraqi heritage.' But it's this early struggle and her subsequently formed self-acceptance and authenticity that laid the foundation of what would eventually become her life's work.
Studies estimate that over 4.9 billion people worldwide scroll through various social media feeds on a daily basis, with digital platforms now becoming the breeding rounds for what experts call 'scroll-induced insecurity.' It's reported that the average person spends 2.5 hours daily on these platforms, with 16-24 year olds exceeding 3 hours — time largely spent absorbing carefully curated images that can potentially trigger harmful comparison.
For adolescents, the stakes are even higher. Research published in JAMA Psychiatry found those spending more than 3 hours daily on social media faced double the risk of anxiety and depression. As a result, the UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists labeled social media-induced low self-esteem as 'one of the most significant and under-addressed public health concerns of our time.'
Aspirational exhaustion — a term referring to the state where one's sense of self becomes increasingly fragile against impossible standards, is the inevitable outcome of consuming constant stream of filtered lives. For a generation whose confidence has been eroded by the validation-seeking cycle of likes, shares, and followers, this environment makes Nafousi's message about internal validation particularly relevant.
Instead of overwhelming her audience with generic 'confidence tips' that seem to have flooded the wellness space, Nafousi's approach differentiates by placing an emphasis on authenticity. 'People connect through authenticity and vulnerability,' she explains. Her framework moves beyond superficial advice, addressing the root causes of insecurity while offering practical tools for lasting change.
Roxie Nafousi's new book, Confidence: 8 Steps To Knowing Your Worth, releases today on March 27
Amongst other functional solutions, one powerful concept she introduces in the book is the recognition of 'cognitive distortions' — or what she calls 'thought filters' — which are patterns of thinking that distort reality and reinforce self-doubt. 'Becoming aware of these distortions helps you pause, zoom out, and ask: Is this thought really true or is it based on my past experiences, limiting beliefs and current state of mind?'
For Nafousi, who has been candid from day one about her personal struggles that inspired her bestselling Manifest series, confidence isn't about perfection but rather 'being at peace with who you are — not because you're perfect, but because you've stopped trying to be.'
Through her own experience, Nafousi discovered that confidence isn't built overnight but through consistent, intentional practices. In a recent article she has written for British Vogue, the author shares five simple changes that transformed her relationship with herself: visualization, improving posture, accepting compliments without deflection, dressing as her best self, and carefully choosing who she spends time with.
Perhaps most surprising to readers is her emphasis on turning outward rather than inward. In her book, she emphasizes 'being of service to others' as a confidence builder, which seems counterintuitive to those who think confidence comes from self-focus. 'One of the most powerful and unexpected confidence boosters is actually looking outward and being of service to others,' she explains. 'When we help others, we're reminded of our value in a deeply meaningful way.'
The book comes at a time when the pursuit of external validation intensifies as a result of social media. For many, especially women navigating societal expectations, relationship between physical appearance and inner confidence can be a delicate yet complex topic.
Nafousi encourages her flowers to step into the multi-faceted beings they are, sharing on her Instagram: 'The professional, the mother, the sexy — they all deserve space to shine.'
'There's no denying that how we look can impact how we feel — but for women especially, the relationship between appearance and confidence is layered and often shaped by societal pressure,' she says. Her solution isn't to ignore these realities but to 'reclaim the narrative' by strengthening internal validation systems that can withstand external judgment. 'Part of confidence is stepping into your power and owning all the different sides of you,' Nafousi shares in her recent Instagram post, encouraging her followers to step into the multi-faceted beings they are. Always open about her own journey and progress, followers of Nafousi can see her gradually stepping into her most authentic self over the years — the author has been open on matters from her choices in style and beauty to view on business investments. 'The professional, the mother, the sexy — they all deserve space to shine,' says Nafousi.
For those struggling with imposter syndrome or feeling confident in private but insecure in public, the book offers practical advice like body language adjustments, breathwork, and gradual exposure to uncomfortable situations.
As the line between healthy self-improvement and harmful perfectionism continues to blur, the book's message provides a timely recalibration. Nafousi's eight-step framework offers a roadmap not just to feeling better about oneself, but to fundamentally shifting how one shows up in the world.
'True confidence,' the author says, 'isn't built in a day; it's built in the quiet choices we make every day to honor ourselves, even when no one is watching.'