“What makes you confident?”
We’ve all seen these videos floating around TikTok of user @confidenceheist asking people walking down the streets of New York City this question. Each of the answers is unique to the person being asked because everyone has something different that gives them confidence.
Street interviews like these have risen in popularity lately, and questions aside from the topic of confidence have been raised. Questions like “What is your annual income?” “What is your job?” “How much is your rent?” and “Who will you be voting for in this presidential election?”
The list goes on, and, more often than not, random folks are more than glad to answer these personal questions. I personally would love to have the opportunity to answer one of these street interviews because I’ve found they allow people online to get answers to questions they’re too afraid to ask.
For example, I know my friends and I love the videos where people are asked about how much money they make in their job, how they like their careers, and if the journey was worth it. These videos and interviews may seem silly and unimportant, but they actually helped me consider what to study in college, and people I know have genuinely appreciated the insight into career paths that aren’t commonly shared.
The interviews that surround money and financing in this economy can be especially useful. People seldom mention how much their tuition is, how much money they make or what their spending looks like because they don’t want to be judged or treated differently. Money in today’s society is a touchy subject, but because of these interviews and the people who are open enough to share their own personal matters, others find some reassurance or motivation.
Perhaps people struggling financially can come to learn they’re not alone. Others who might be contemplating if their lengthy education and tuition spending will be worth it feel reassured to see that a doctor or lawyer is making a good living and has paid their debts. There are endless examples of how these interviews can motivate people to keep pursuing their goals or open their eyes and influence them to consider something else.
Whether people take advice or meaning out of these interviews is ultimately up to them, and the extent to which they allow a random person on screen to influence their decisions and thoughts is also in their power. However, I personally find that these interviews are very helpful.
That being said, these specific confidence interviews have shown young adults all over the internet that being confident is within your reach and that anyone can be confident. If you take the time and go check out this creator’s TikTok account, you’ll see that all the people he interviews look different and come from all walks of life. By watching a handful of his interviews, it seems that confidence isn’t related to how others perceive you.
If confidence isn’t determined by what others think of you, then what makes someone confident? Well, these people seemed to answer with “my friends and family,” “my job” or “the city I live in.” Many people in our generation struggle to be confident because they think confidence is derived from others and that if others don’t like them or find them unattractive, they don’t have a reason to be confident. This is a sad mentality, and social media doesn’t help people escape these outside influences and voices.
I’m very confident, and my friends and family have always described me to be this way. The reason I’m so confident is because I love myself and because I’m satisfied with the way I live my life. If you are able to appreciate who you are and have security in the decisions you make, nothing anyone thinks of you could strip you of that confidence. I understand that this is easier said than done, but the only person who can help you be confident is yourself. You have to take the necessary steps. If there is negativity in your life that is making you feel down, cut it out. If you are listening to others who call you ugly or annoying, tune it out (even if you’re the only one telling yourself otherwise).
You can’t let other people ruin your attitude and make you question yourself, including on social media. Family and friends can help you feel confident by being a supportive aspect of your life, but things other than people can give you confidence, too. Having a job that you’re happy to go to should make you confident, having good grades and achieving a goal you’ve had for a while, virtually anything that makes you happy and proud of yourself. Choose to focus on the positive things in your life as opposed to the negatives, and you’ll feel the impact.
Confidence isn’t just about appearance. Some people just radiate a confident energy and carry themselves with confidence. These people trust their own decisions. Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like the way you live your life is wrong. You do what you choose to do. Neither your parents, your true friends nor a stranger can tell you how to live your life or make you feel bad for choosing a certain lifestyle. Be confident that you are living in a way that makes you most happy.
You only have one life, so live it your way and not someone else’s.
Loresa Zeqiraj, FCRH ’28, is an international studies major from Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
