Confidence is nothing new!Today, I am transcribing a reply in an advice column from the July, 1905 edition of The Delineator. The column is titled "The Observances of Society" and is written by Mrs. Frank Learned. Unfortunately, the original letter asking for advice is not included, but I still find the reply interesting.
Anxious--
Your trouble seems to be morbid self-consciousness. If you think less of yourself, and the impression you are making, less of the criticism of others, if you are your own courteous, refined self, you will not be worried constantly about little problems. You tell me you understand the first thing is to be a refined woman always, and that is the limit of your knowledge. Now, I think when you say this you show you are not at all limited or narrow when you know by instinct the refinements and natural conduct of a "gentlewoman." This is a good old English word and it means much. Less self-consciousness, the cultivation of a sense of humor, which is the salt of life, would help you to look less seriously and severely on the little every-day matters which worry you. Do not make mountains out of molehills.
Good advice, even in the internet age!
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