The first few hours after I wake up determines how the rest of my day goes. Establishing and sticking with it has helped me stay focused and positive throughout the day. Creating a practice where you start your day by doing, thinking, or saying something positive is excellent to help shift your focus. I have a pretty solid and productive morning routine, but I wanted to incorporate positive self-talk into my day a few months ago. The few minutes I had in my car before entering work were perfect. If you’re going to change your thoughts and turn negative self-talk into positive, encouraging words, affirmations are a good start.
What are Affirmations?
An affirmation is an assertion or proclamation that something is true. Affirmations are phrases that are written, spoken, or meditated on repeatedly to embody positivity and self-love. A short, powerful, positive statement to influence our behaviors and habits is the basis of an affirmation. When you are saying an affirmation to yourself, you are stating that what you are saying already is.
How to Use Affirmations
Self-reflect and list your goals and areas you want to develop. Start with things about yourself to affirm and create statements you want to believe. Your affirmations and wording should be consistent with values important to you and your self-beliefs. You can write your own or find some prewritten; make sure they work for you.
Mornings are great for using affirmations; it’s a perfect opportunity to remind yourself that the possibilities are endless, and it starts your day out on a positive note. I like to take a few minutes of quiet time in my car before entering work; I rub some essential oil on my wrist. I breathe deep and slow as I recite my affirmations in a confident voice. I try to repeat each affirmation at least five times and let the power and the meaning of the words soak into my mind. I keep my affirmation on a card, and whenever I notice that I have had a negative, self-defeating thought, I counter it with the affirmation on the card.
Examples of Positive, Powerful Affirmations
While you can certainly create your own uniquely inspiring phrases to say every day, I’ve provided some examples to help get you started. While affirmations are no substitute for professional help, such as therapy, when experiencing anxiety or depression, those who swear by the power of uplifting language find that it increases their self-esteem and improves their mindset.This is a great place to start if you want to form positive habits. Also, you can modify any of these affirmations to suit your needs. Just be sure that you keep to the present tense.
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I am self-reliant.
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I live in the present with confidence for the future.
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I attract favorable circumstances and positive people.
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I thrive on self-confidence.
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I am powerful, and I create the life I desire.
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I can achieve a work-life balance.
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I approve of and love myself.
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I am intelligent, powerful, confident, and capable.
Written by Lisa of Wear the Damn Boots & shared with permission.