Have you heard the hype surrounding daily affirmations?
Are you wondering what they are and why so many people swear by them?
Are you completely confused about what we're talking about?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, this post is for you!
We could all use an extra dose of motivation, more positive self-talk, and a boost to our self-esteem, right? Daily affirmations are the miracle workers that check all these boxes, and more! We’re here to help you dive into the “why” and “how” of the mindset tool that‘s taken the world by storm—and how it just might change your life.
What are daily affirmations?
Before you can hit the gas pedal and go full–speed with your daily affirmations, let’s take a step back and talk about what they are … and why you should even care. The idea is to repeat short mantras each day to manifest the things you want in your life. This helps train your brain to start thinking more positively, while hitting you with a heavy dose of motivation toward your goals (and the research backs this up!).
The best part is, you can repeat your daily affirmations anywhere: during your commute, before bed, or even in the mirror while doing your hair in the morning. Think of this as your daily 2-minute pep talk. It’s quick, it’s effective, and it’ll leave you feeling your best. 💯
Wait ... what do I say?
You’ve decided to commit to daily affirmations and you’re pumped to get going, but there’s one small problem: You have no idea what you’re supposed to say … *cue the awkward silence.* Over time, you’ll probably come up with great mantras that are specific to your life (this post will show you how to write your own). But to start out, guide your affirmations by using these categories.
Gratitude Statements
Rather than constantly thinking about what you don’t have, gratitude affirmations help you think positively about what you do have. Repeat these statements, or use them as inspiration for your own:
- I am thankful for good opportunities.
- I appreciate my support system.
- I am thankful for the path I’m on.
- I am grateful for the opportunity to positively impact others.
Self-Love Statements
We are our own harshest critic, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Repeat these affirmations to remind yourself of how great you really are … and get a confidence boost while you’re at it:
- I am independent and self-sufficient.
- I am allowed to be a work in progress.
- I am growing and improving daily.
- I am resilient and I can handle anything that comes my way.
Goal-Setting Statements
Speak your goals into existence. These affirmations will likely be more specific to you, but here are a few examples to inspire you:
- I am going to finish this project today.
- I am going to speak kindly to myself this week.
- I can make positive changes.
- I am committed to learning something new today.
Stick with it!
Will affirmations feel a bit awkward in the beginning? Probably. Most of us aren’t used to talking to ourselves out loud, let alone trying to be so positive (hi, negativity bias). But does that mean giving up the second you start to feel uncomfortable? Definitely not. If you have a hard time saying affirmations to yourself, start by writing them down, or grab a buddy and repeat them to each other. As with anything in life, discomfort often means you’re on the right track, so keep going!
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that affirmations aren’t magic (no matter how many people tell you they are). One day of repeating positive mantras won’t drastically change your life—it takes consistency. It takes days when you would rather not be positive, and making the decision to show up for yourself anyway. That’s the ultimate game-changer.
