Chapter 1: My Journey to Confidence

For a long time, I struggled with self-confidence. This lack of confidence hindered my ability to follow through on various endeavors. Whether it was basketball—my greatest passion—or navigating college and job hunts, I often felt like a failure. I allowed negative voices, from bullies to critical family members, to dictate my self-worth.

As a result, it took until I was nearly 28 years old to reach a point of happiness in my life. Presently, I work as an editor for friends on YouTube, manage my own channel, and care for my uncle with Down syndrome and my mother. Writing has become a cherished hobby for me. Since I began writing in late 2021, I have discovered a sense of peace and catharsis that I had long been missing. I owe a lot to my mother and friends for their encouragement, which has helped me regain the confidence I once lacked.

Writing and content creation have transformed my life for the better, and I'm grateful for the daily busyness they bring. I finally feel in control of my life and have clarity about my future. However, I do regret that it took so long to reach this realization.

If you find yourself in a low place, feeling like a failure or a burden, let me assure you: you are not alone. It may take effort to escape this mindset, but a brighter life awaits if you are willing to work for it.

The key is to embrace positivity and encouragement while disregarding negativity. Hold yourself accountable and pursue hobbies that ignite your passion. With time, you will begin to see a more optimistic perspective. Although this change won’t happen overnight, it will come.

I’m relieved to share my thoughts. Just two years ago, I would have never contemplated writing this piece, as I would have been too afraid to express my vulnerabilities. Today, I feel ready to lay it all out.

This article aims to inspire those who are struggling as I once did. I want to convey that you are not alone, and more importantly, there is a path to a better life.

You might wonder, "How can you be content without being a wildly successful writer or YouTuber?" That’s a valid question with a straightforward answer: I find joy in what I do. It doesn’t matter if only a few people watch my videos or read my articles. What matters is that I'm pursuing my passion every day, surrounded by genuine people I care about.

To me, that is far more fulfilling than being successful while surrounded by individuals who belittle you for not meeting their expectations. This newfound self-confidence and passion for my work have been rewarded with modest achievements—572 YouTube subscribers and 129 Medium followers, along with my acceptance into the partner program.

While those numbers may not seem significant, they represent a monumental success to me. They have reinforced my belief that I have talent and can achieve my dreams with dedication.

If you're feeling low like I once did, let this article be a beacon of hope. There is a world of opportunities waiting for you. All you need to do is find your passion and pursue it with confidence. If you know someone who could use a lift, please share this message with them.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to connecting again.

-Brandon Madden

In this video titled How I built my confidence as a content creator (4 rules to follow), I share four essential principles that helped me cultivate confidence and succeed in content creation.

The second video, How to Build UNSHAKABLE Self Confidence | The Mel Robbins Podcast, offers insights and strategies for developing unshakeable confidence in any aspect of life.