“Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.”
– Pema Chodron
I actually didn’t believe in the power of affirmations until I gave birth. I knew they sounded nice and might have a little validity to them but until I used them consistently and felt into the ones that truly resonated with me, I didn’t understand. Until I heard them ringing true in my mind as I had the most empowering, incredible experience of my life, I didn’t know just how powerful affirmations can be.
My therapist taught me though, that most daily affirmations work when we use them AS we see them true in our life.
For example, if you are looking at your negative amount in the bank account and are trying to repeat an affirmation about how you have a ton of money, that probably is going to cause more anxiety because your subconscious knows that’s not “true” for your current reality.
However, if you find a $20 bill on the sidewalk, or someone gives you a free coffee, you might find it affirming to state: “Money comes to me in unexpected ways.” or “I trust that I am always provided for.”
If you are having a horrible hair day, it might be frustrating and eye-roll eliciting to repeat an affirmation about “I love my freakin perfect hair that never breaks and is always doing exactly what I want when I want it to.” but you might find a different aspect of your outer appearance you want to focus on and affirm! Maybe try, “My booty is POPPIN today!” or “I love this dope pair of socks I get to wear today.”, and save the hair affirmation for a day that it feels true. If nothing else, practice body-neutrality: “My feet carry me anywhere I want to go.” “I am so grateful for my eyes that see and ears that hear.” “I woke up breathing today!” – affirmations that ring true.
My FAVORITE sort of affirmations are ones that I know in the depths of my soul to be true, but sometimes have trouble remembering or feeling as though they are true in the moment. These are calming and bring a bit of peace to my heart. They include mantras such as:
“I am abundant in every way.”
“I am surrounded by love.”
“Everything always works out for me.”
“I am safe and protected.”
“I enjoy my healthy and radiant body.”
I prefer now to write daily affirmations on flash cards and use them differently depending on the day. Some days I read through all of them out loud and let them sink in that way. Sometimes I blindly shuffle and pull one to let the Universe tell me what I need. Sometimes I write one on my mirror or sticky note it to the fridge. Sometimes I don’t read them at all and just practice asking my guides to affirm to me what I need to know.
There is a lot more to reprogramming your subconscious mind than affirmations, but they are a fun and empowering tool to play with every once in a while and call in to use when you feel they will help.
Action Item:
- You guessed it – Affirmation Time! Pick one or one zillion affirmations that resonate with you and do stuff with them. (: That is all.
“Be enough for yourself first, the rest of the world can wait.”
Resource: Snoop Dogg’s Affirmation Song
Resource: Baby Tate – I Am ft. Flo Milli [Official Music Video]