Affirmations – Guide to the Practice with a List of Ideas
Affirmations are positive, self-affirming statements that can set the tone for your day, increase your self-esteem, and help you be more successful in everything you do. No matter how you incorporate affirmations, they can only have a positive effect on the things you do.
Affirmations are those statements we make to ourselves to set the tone for the day, encourage ourselves, and to feel positive. They can help rewire our brains and are frequently used for self-love, body positivity, stress reduction, and even success.
Have you been feeling down about work, life, your weight, or even love? Do you know what affirmations have the capability of doing for you and all of those things?
What Is an Affirmation?
An affirmation is a positive statement or phrase that is repeated to oneself to reinforce positive thinking, self-belief, and personal growth. It is something we say or think to ourselves to start our day, to raise our self-esteem, and to set the mood for the day. It’s positive self-talk to encourage us to love ourselves, to be grateful, and to energize ourselves.
Affirmations are typically used as a tool for self-improvement and to cultivate a more positive mindset. The purpose of affirmations is to shift one’s thoughts and beliefs from negative or self-limiting patterns to more empowering and constructive ones. By repeating affirmations regularly, individuals aim to reprogram their subconscious mind and create a positive internal dialogue.
How Do Affirmations Work?
Affirmations work by turning around any negative, self-deprecating, or challenging thoughts and making them more positive. The human mind works less to repeat negative thoughts than positive ones, especially when it’s something we cannot control. By using affirmations we can reprogram our brains to think differently, which in turn can help us feel differently.
Affirmations can help rewire our brains.
Types of Affirmations
Short Affirmations
Affirmations don’t have to be long or poetic, sometimes the most effective are short. Short affirmations, including “I am…” statements, can be very good at improving self-esteem and making the day a little brighter.
Find the short affirmations that directly target negative thoughts and self-deprecating statements, and repeat them until you can internalize and feel better. Short affirmations can be written on a whiteboard or chalkboard, hung up in a frame, or just repeated while looking in the mirror for powerful effects!
Affirmations for Self-Love
Many of us have a difficult time loving ourselves due to constant exposure to photoshopped magazine covers and nothing but perfection all over social media. It doesn’t do much for self-esteem when you compare yourself to completely unrealistic expectations. That’s where affirmations for self-love can be a lifesaver.
I Am Affirmations
“I am…” affirmations are statements we make to ourselves to counteract our negative self-talk. When we feel like we’re not good enough, we say “I am good enough”. If we feel like we’re unattractive, we tell ourselves “I am attractive”. Just like that old skit on Saturday Night Live with Stuart Smalley: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit people like me!”. It seems silly now, but trust me-it can make a big difference in your self-esteem-and you deserve that!
Affirmations for Body Positivity
Body positivity has changed greatly over the last few years thanks to more people speaking up and speaking out. It can still be challenging with the comparisons and bullying often seen on social media, so there are affirmations for body positivity. Statements like “I’m perfect the way I am”, “I love my body”, “I embrace my stretch marks/cellulite/scars/etc.”, and “My body is healthy and nourished” can also help improve self-image and self-esteem because let’s face it-we only get one body and we should show it love!
Affirmations for Stress
We live such hectic lives with work, home, kids, spouses, pets, social media, etc…… So no wonder we’re overwhelmed with stress and anxiety! Affirmations for stress can help us better deal with stress and look at the positive side of things. These types of statements include “I will not worry about this”, “I am resilient”, “I’m doing my best” and can help ease your mind when you’re stressed or overwhelmed. Stress is challenging to overcome, but affirmations can help with practice.
Affirmations for Success
There are several definitions for success, and studies have shown that affirmations for success really can give you a more positive outlook! Let’s look at some affirmations for success to brighten your workday.
Affirmations for Money
Money is something many pursue because they believe it brings happiness, and that can make it easy for negative thoughts when the money doesn’t come like we expect. Affirmations for money include “My expenses are less than what I make”, “I have wealth in other ways”, and “I will continue to grow and prosper”. These types of statements can help one shift their negative thoughts to those of possibility and positivity.
Affirmations for Students
School is hard for many people-especially college! Negative thoughts in regards to school are bound to reflect in grades, so it’s time to turn things around. Affirmations for students include statements including “I’ve got this”, “I am able to do this”, “My understanding is improving”, “I’m doing what I can”, and “Asking for help is okay”.
Affirmations for Confidence
Confidence can be hard to come by with all of the challenges we face daily, and it can be challenging to maintain your confidence. However, saying things to yourself like “I deserve this”, “I have confidence”, “I’m healthy and happy”, and “I love who I am” can help with maintaining and growing your confidence.
Affirmations for Work
Work can be a really difficult and miserable place to be when you’re feeling negative. To improve your outlook as well as your productivity, consider some of the following affirmations for work: “I will do my best today”, “I’ve got this”, “There’s so much possibility today”, and “This will propel me towards my goals”. Positive work affirmations can make work more fun and more fulfilling!
Daily Affirmations
We all have those rough days where it feels too much to get out of bed. Daily affirmations can help dash away those negative thoughts and give you the power to overcome any obstacle.
Morning Affirmations
When you wake up in the morning and shut off your alarm, what’s the first thought in your head? Is it negative and does it get you down? Consider positive morning affirmations to start your day off right.
- It’s going to be a great day.
- It’s a new day.
- I will accomplish something today.
- I believe in myself.
This video provides some powerful morning and daily affirmations.
Affirmations for 365 days
Like any other habit, it takes time to work it into routine. And sometimes repeating the same affirmations doesn’t have the same effect as variation. Consider using multiple affirmations each day and focus on more than just one aspect of your life. Start with one or two affirmations per day, then look at what’s going on in your life and needs your focus next. Use affirmations every day to grow your confidence at home, work, and in yourself.
Daily affirmations can help dash away those negative thoughts and give you the power to overcome any obstacle.
Affirmations for Love
Being single in a hectic world can be difficult, especially when you don’t have the right mindset. Consider some of these affirmations for love to create the mental environment and prepare you for love:
- I’m ready for love.
- I deserve a loving relationship.
- I love who I am and can attract love.
- Love will come my way.
- I’m open to love.
- I love myself and am capable of loving others.
Affirmations for Weight Loss
Weight loss is one of the most common challenges around the globe. With New Year’s resolutions, weddings, birthdays, and any special event it’s easy to set ourselves up with too high expectations. The better route is to utilize affirmations for weight loss.
- I can succeed with small changes.
- I will celebrate every pound/inch lost.
- Nourishing my body makes me stronger.
- Exercise is fun.
- I can do this.
- For every 5 pounds lost, I will buy a new outfit.
Setting new goals for yourself rather than focusing on what you used to weigh in conjunction with positive affirmations can make it easier to take better care of yourself.
Affirmations for Manifestation
The mind has a powerful effect on the body as well as what we manifest, so focus on positive affirmations for positive manifestations. Here are a few examples of how to do this:
- I will be successful.
- I will accomplish this on the first try.
- I am perfect how I am now.
- I will make this dream come true.
- I am strong and determined.
Try these out and see how it changes your outlook and success!
Related Insights
What Are the 7 Affirmations?
The 7 affirmations are the positive things you need to say to yourself daily.
- I’m doing my very best daily.
- I love myself.
- I believe in myself and my dreams.
- I’m grateful for each day I see.
- I am responsible for myself.
- My happiness is my responsibility.
- The best is coming.
Are Affirmations Related To Positive Thinking?
Affirmations are related to positive thinking because they can help retrain your brain. Using affirmations can switch your negative self-thought into self-love and self-acceptance, which are very positive things.
What Are 10 Affirmations You Could Say Daily?
There are so many affirmations to choose from, so choose those that relate to your situation and your needs.
- I can handle this.
- I’m strong.
- I’m smart.
- I’m beautiful/attractive.
- This is a step in the right direction.
- This is a good thing.
- I will overcome this.
- What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.
- I will not let this get me down.
- I’m a rockstar.
Affirmations Real People Use on a Daily Basis
I asked friends and family members: what is an affirmation that they use and when do they use the affirmation. Here is what they shared and what I learned from the poll:
| Affirmation | Tally of Family/Friends |
| I can do this. | 3 |
| I look good. | 2 |
| I deserve this. | 3 |
| I am successful. | 3 |
| This will not break me. | 1 |
| I believe in myself. | 2 |
| I’m grateful for this. | 3 |
| Good things are happening. | 2 |
| I’ve got this. | 5 |
Other Resources:
- Looking Within – My Successful Experience with Reflection
- Look Within – Learn the Source of You – From My Experience
- How To Forgive Yourself – Being Your Own Best Friend
- Self Validation – Learning the Most Powerful Source of You
- Positive Mental Attitude – My Guide to Life Changing Ideas
- Essentialism – What’s Truly Necessary for Identity
- Intuition – Understanding Gut Feel Without Reason
- Collect Meaning – Living a Life of Depth and Happiness
- Intuitive – Those Who Feel and Perceive Deeply Around Them
- Id, Ego, & Superego – For Understanding and Self-Reflection
Affirmations can make a huge difference in anyone’s life. Thinking positively and focusing on the positive things can be easy to do if you incorporate affirmations. This is one daily habit you need to have! Where will you start to change your mindset?
