If there was anything I used to be most skeptical of in terms of self-help and mental-health tactics it was probably affirmations. I didn’t understand what good talking to yourself could do and the repetitive aspect of it reminded me of that Harry Potter scene (The Order of the Phoenix- obviously we all know it’s one of the best) where Professor Umbridge makes Harry write “I will not tell lies” over and over again until it’s legitimately ingrained into his skin … yuck. It wasn’t until a few months ago when I challenged myself to get into journaling that I decided to actually give affirmations a try.
This is the format I’ve found to be the most successful:
– Daily affirmation: A positive saying that I use to get me through the day
– Gratitude: A list of things I am grateful for in my life
– Manifestations: Things that I am manifesting into existence (like “I WILL be able to get all of my work done by my deadline” and “I WILL get this job”)
– Prompt of the day: Sometimes I’ll come up with a prompt myself based on how I’m feeling and if I want to write about something specific or I’ll use the handy dandy internet to help me find something inspiring
Through this journaling process, I have found that daily affirmations are not, in fact, the bunch of crap that I thought they were before. I may not go around chanting “I AM A BOSS AND CAN GET EVERYTHING I WANT” all day but I find that putting a positive inspiring sentiment like that onto paper makes it feel more true. Some days the only person who can really remind you of your greatness is yourself, so why not start writing it down so you can’t forget?
Here are 10 affirmations to keep in your mind or in your journal:
- I am beautiful and no one compares to me
- I bring light into the lives of those around me
- I have control over my mind and am more powerful than my anxiety
- I have everything I need to be successful
- I deserve to rest
- I have created a happy reality that I deserve
- I deserve to follow my passions
- I can overcome any challenges that come my way
- Everything happens for a reason and I will be okay
- I love myself
