With the aim of kicking off 2020 to a positive start, I challenged myself to take at least five minutes out of my day to listen, write and read affirmations.
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WHAT ARE AFFIRMATIONS?
Affirmations are positive statements that can help people question/reverse their own negative thoughts. These statements can have mental and/or physical health, wealth, love, career and more as a theme.
According to Psychology Today, self-affirmation improves both reasoning and problem-solving. Furthermore, many studies concluded that self-affirmation can be rewarding on different levels like confidence, anxiety, self-esteem and depression. Affirmative statements provide a first step towards identifying rational responses to psychological, psychosocial and physical events.
HOW AFFIRMATIONS WORK
Positive affirmations work by creating and/or listening to these statements often and most importantly willing/believing in them. They're a tool of the mind requiring repetition, discipline and focus. By reprogramming thought patterns, over time you can potentially begin to think and act differently.
Essentially, affirmations are an empowerment tool designed to counteract some of our negative thoughts and habits.
My strategy for this was to look up YouTube videos and listen to them while cleaning, before bed or in bed. Another thing I did was to follow the #affirmations tag on Instagram to read and save my favourite quotes (while you’re there, make sure to hit my follow button!).
I am a believer of positive energy/good vibes, so this experience was definitely something that was up my alley.
Below I'll be sharing my day-to-day notes, as well as my favourite statement(s) from each session.
MY EXPERIENCE
Day 1
I confront issues with love in my heart.
I'll be honest, it was a little strange listening to the audio. And it was also different having a random man recite affirmations to me haha. I suppose it's nice to receive words of encouragement of the sort.
Day 2
My inner strength grows stronger each day.
It's important to note that some of these affirmation videos play music in the background. At this point, I started thinking I should start repeating statements out loud or in my head.
Day 3
I respect who I am.
I found a new video with a more soothing voice! The affirmations in this video also don't share as much of strongly entitled, perfect or egotistical content from my point of view.
Day 4
I love me and I am worthy to have goodness in my life.
I found myself focusing on specific power words like "strong" and "can". I finished my fourth video today.
Day 5
I am the master of my fate. I am unbreakable.
I read some affirmations that I received by email and on social media. On this day I also started creating my own list of affirmations.
Day 6
I am the captain of my soul.
I listened to affirmations before falling asleep. It was super soothing!
Day 7
Same as day six, however no particular statement stood out to me on this day.
Day 8
I am gratitude.
I took the time to listen to a two minute video because I was super tired. I think that videos of this sort are a great option if you're short on time, but still want to remain consistent.
Day 9-11
Unfortunately I fell out of habit...However on following days I spent extra time on affirmative statements to make up for it.
Day 12
I am stronger than I think.
Using the #affirmations tag on Instagram, I completed my exercises for the day. I pondered a lot on the statement above and decided that the human mind was too intricate and tricky for its own good. We overthink, but never 'underthink'. I've done amazing things before, so what exactly is stopping me from greatness now? Nothing.
Day 13
I am all I need.
Day 14
I trust that the universe sends me the best there is.
Trust is something I believe everyone should have because it invites positivity, possibilities and power. I believe that thinking negatively of others will cause them to remain that way. So for me, it's better to have faith than harbour judgment. This does not mean you accept toxic people, situations or behaviours in your life.
Day 15
No one is you and that is your power.
Day 16
There's no room for fear. Today I allow myself to be stronger than my fears.
Day 17
I choose to be happy and I deserve to be happy.
Day 18
I'm ready to install new mindsets, new routines.
By daring to change your mindset, you change your outcomes.
Day 19
I am in charge. I'm flexible and free.
As someone who very much likes order and a fair amount of change, being flexible meant allowing more spontaneity in my day-to-day, plus creativity and being open to new ideas and ways of thinking. In fact, this is what this exercise was all about.
Day 20
I deserve to be happy. I deserve to be treated with love and respect.
Day 21
I'm here to do amazing things. I believe in my abilities.
Check out a few of my favourite affirmation videos from YouTube below:
Not convinced? Check out what PositivePsychology.com has to say about the subject.
Do you practice affirmations? Let's discuss in the comments section!
All my love,
Aissatou
