Surprising Things That Can Boost Your Self-Esteem

Look to Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie (or any other bigwig) to get a little ego boost. Sure, the relationship is one-sided—you know all about her, and she doesn't know you—but an impression of intimacy works in your favor, found a study at the University of Buffalo. When people with flagging self-esteem wrote down the ways in which they were similar to their favorite same-sex celeb (we share smarts, cheekbones, alcoholic moms and a weakness for goofy men), they felt closer to—or at least more confident about becoming—their own best selves.

Next: 6 daring women reveal where they find their confidence