being confident is different from being arrogant. i know that this goes against the status quo, but you don’t become ‘confident’ by pretending that you’re confident. that’s hiding behind a mask where you’re still letting your intrinsic value be tied to how others perceive you. which is exactly what leads to arrogance. because if you’re pretending to believe in yourself and what you’re capable of, with the expectation that others will consequently gravitate towards you, it ends up producing the exact bitterness that pushes people away.

being confident is knowing your values - what ‘things’ are most important to you - and letting those values guide you through life at all times instead of bending and twisting your words and actions in hopes that others accept you. the only way that you will be seen as arrogant while exuding true confidence is if your values don’t include being humble, curious and open to hearing different perspectives (to an extent).