DFTLY Confidence Challenges
Every challenge activity is chosen intentionally to enhance self-growth and promote self-love through one or more of the following:
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The challenges are meant to be viewed in order as a complete collection rather than single, separate videos. This is because some challenges build on previous ones, especially as new characters are introduced and certain fears are conquered.
The collection of challenges can be viewed on this page, or by following the link to the full playlist on Ali's YouTube: |
Viewers are encouraged not only to follow Ali's journey, but also to begin their own!
If one or more of the challenges speak to you, film yourself completing that challenge and upload it to your socials with the hashtag #DFTLYConfidenceChallenge |
Begin the journey: |
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Introduction:
Ali explains the confidence challenges, why she started them, and how they help with anxiety, depression, and low confidence. "Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something: hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." - Roger Staubach |
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Challenge 1: POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS
Re-wire your brain for positivity by training it to be present and catch-then-replace negative thinking. Includes a brief overview of brain communication and several Mean Girls references. Features: "The Affirmation Song" - written, recorded, performed, and badly danced to by Ali Auburn |
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Challenge 2: GET THE BUG
Facing a fear head-on is one of the best ways to build confidence. In this video, an unexpected home invasion by a mutant cricket gave Ali the chance to face her fear of bugs. Video includes a step-by-step guide to facing fears, as well as a PSA for parents whose kids bring unusual items (cough: bugs) from home to school. |
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Challenge 3: TAKE YOURSELF ON A DATE
It's important to learn how to make yourself happy on your own and to be comfortable doing things by yourself. In this video, Ali discusses the benefits to taking yourself on a date and how to be confident in that independence. The video also proves that taking yourself on a date can be a more appealing alternative to traditional dating by chronicling Ali's own bad date experiences and following her on a night of awkward conversation and zero romantic connection. |
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Challenge 4: PARALLEL PARK
Parallel parking is the number one driving phobia in several countries, and many people avoid it at all costs because it gives them anxiety. But the only way to become confident in something is to practice until you're comfortable with it! Introducing: Driving Instructor Ali. She's the owner of Ali's Driving School and is passionate about helping others overcome their anxiety about parallel parking. |
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Challenge 5: DANCE DARE
Getting over the fear of what others think of you is the best way to free yourself of inhibitions, become the fullest version of yourself, and experience more joy and freedom in life. What better way to do that than to dance in public? Introducing: Violet. A cultured and quirky free-spirit with a wealth of knowledge and experience that she can't wait to pass on to others. |
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Challenge 6: USING TOOLS
Using tools is incredibly empowering, and fixing things yourself is a great way to boost confidence and self-esteem with long-lasting effects that kick in every time you see your finished product. Features: "The Fixing Things Song" - written, recorded, and performed (with extra sass) by Ali Auburn |
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Challenge 7: WATCH A SCARY MOVIE
Watching scary movies can actually help with anxiety by triggering certain chemical responses in the brain. For anyone who isn't a big fan of being scared, Ali put together a how-to survival guide to help others watch scary movies and reap the benefits! Introducing: Viktor. A lovable, albeit romantically challenged, teen with a heart of gold and a penchant for scary movie watching. |
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Challenge 8: EXERCISE
Studies show that exercising just a few times per week can drastically improve your self-esteem and confidence. However, since DFTLY encourages loving your body as it is and not focusing on weight, this video is filled with tips on achieving body peace while keeping the focus on health and not appearance. Introducing: Stacey Luvyerbod. A no-nonsense personal trainer with no patience for body-shaming. She uses her southern charm and years of experience to whip her clients' minds into the right body-loving shape. |
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Challenge 9: EAT HEALTHY
There is a huge link between your stomach and your brain, and nutrition plays a very important, but underrated, role in mental health. However, just like Challenge 8, this challenge is not focused on losing weight or physical appearance, it's about feeling good on the inside, treating yourself well, and healing sources of inflammation and toxicity. Featuring: "The Meal Prepping Song" - written, recorded, and performed by Ali Auburn - 'cause meal prepping and eating healthy are not always easy things to do. |
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Challenge 10: DANCE (Like Nobody's Watching)
Dancing has been proven to reduce stress as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. Don't let a fear of what others think keep you from dancing the stress away. Take it from Ali and her (very) bad dance moves: life is way more fun when you dance your way through it, no matter how silly or un-coordinated it looks! |
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Challenge 11: FACE A FEAR (Escalator)
Every time you avoid a fear, you reinforce the negative feelings your brain and body have towards it. But facing the thing you fear helps you create a new memory around that stimulus and trains your brain to no longer react in panic, which is great for confidence and building positive self-esteem. Introducing: Deb. A midwestern mom with a love for French bulldogs and facing fears. |
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Challenge 12: ROAD TRIP
Road trips are a great way to practice mindfulness and can help you embrace the present moment, be spontaneous, and experience freedom from schedules and demands. Traveling in general also reduces anxiety and creates memories that last a lifetime. Introducing: Uncle Cliff. His love for the open road is as big as his beard, and his reserve of bad dad jokes is as extensive as his Hawaiin shirt collection. |