How to Deal with a Loss of Confidence

Losing confidence after your injury is completely normal. After your body has experienced something so big, your mind tries to protect it. But confidence can be rebuilt each day.

WHY CONFIDENCE IS HARD AFTER AN ACL INJURY

It's very normal to feel fear, hesitant, or afraid when returning to your sport. You may worry you're not ready, you could reinjure it, or just not perform the way you did before. These thoughts and feelings do not mean you are not ready. It's important to gain this confidence back to reach your full potential.

Steps to Rebuild:

Set small goals

Break recovery into small milestones. Achieving small wins helps build confidence.

2. Focus on what's in your control

You can not change what happened in the past, or plan our your future. But you can control how much effort you put in each day, your mindset, and your habits

3. Positive Self Talk

Recognize your negative and self-doubting thoughts, and replace those with encouraging ones. Rather than, "I'm scared to tear it again", try "I'm getting stronger each day and more capable".

4. Visualize

Visualize your success. Visualize yourself moving and playing confidently. Mental rehearsal prepares your brain for success.

5. Surround yourself with support

Recovery is a very hard mental game. It is so difficult to get through it on your own without help. Talk to people who understand you and encourage you.

6. Be patient with yourself

Confidence takes time to rebuild. It won't get better overnight. There will be good days and hard days. What matters is that you show up and trust yourself.

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