Edwardian Advice on Self-Confidence

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!

Other Posts of Interest:

Edwardian Advice on Baby's First Clothes

Edwardian Advice on Baby's First Clothes

I recently acquired several antique magazines and found the advice contained in this article interesting. It seems trivial, but several of my friends who are first-time parents have found themselves in all-out marital war over baby's clothes. Mother wants to dress baby up in all the cute, ruffly, patterned, and themed outfits she can find. Father insists the most basic multi-packs of onesies from Walmart and a few swaddling blankets will be more than sufficient since baby is just going to poop and pee on everything before quickly out-growing it anyway.

Mary Bentley offered the following compromise in Delineator Magazine in June, 1907.

"How to make her first baby's clothes is the most vital problem which confronts the young mother. The advice of well-meaning friends is confusing because it is so contradictory. What shall she she do?

This I will endeavor to tell her in the clearest and most concise manner possible, and she may follow the directions with certainty that she will make ample provision for the baby's needs.