The Power of Affirmations: How to Use Words to Change Your Life

Many of us have heard of positive affirmations at some point in time, but do they really work?  The answer is YES!  I have to admit, I once doubted this myself.  I mean, how can saying words really amount to big changes? 

I think the biggest obstacle for most people is feeling like they can believe in the words they use in affirmations.  Most people tend to have this idea in mind that affirmations are just positive compliments you give yourself, but many of us struggle with accepting compliments so we don’t think they will work.  The answer to this is crafting affirmations that are realistic and genuine.  It’s not about complimenting yourself with big, amazing words, it’s about acknowledging and reminding yourself of your true strengths and successes that you already have proof of.  Think of it this way:  how many of us have worked our tails off and felt like we didn’t receive the recognition we deserve?  Many of us CAN relate to this and DO know we have strengths.  Some strengths are easier to acknowledge than others and perhaps this is because society tells us it’s best to be humble, that tooting our own horn is being cocky.  But there is a difference between being arrogant and being confident in yourself.  No one is perfect, we all have flaws and things to work on, but we also all have beauty and uniqueness, own the pieces that you can and start from there. 

If you are feeling stuck coming up with ideas for affirmations, there are a couple of ways to get started.  Some prefer to think of three struggles you are dealing with and examples of strengths you have that could benefit you in handling them.  This will empower you and can give you a better sense of control to allow you to feel challenged rather than overwhelmed.  Another way I love to do affirmations is by connecting them with the chakras.  There are 7 major chakras that each connect with different aspects of the self.  To write chakra affirmations, think of the theme related to each chakra and what you may be struggling with in relation to that theme.  For instance, the root chakra has to do with our fears, scarcity, safety, and security.  You might choose to write an affirmation reminding you that you have all you need to build success or showing gratitude for what you do have.  It’s important to use positive language when determining your wording so that your focus remains on the positive.  For instance, you wouldn’t write an affirmation about not wanting to show a certain trait, instead write what you want to embrace and remind yourself of what will come your way as you do so. 

Here are a few examples:

I am powerful when I utilize boundaries.

I feel refreshed with time for myself.

I show strength when I am vulnerable with my emotions.

I embrace my true self by trusting my intuition.

I allow creativity to flow within me.

The second issue I see people struggle with when it comes to affirmations is usage.  To truly reframe your mind about anything, it takes a lot of repetition.  This means, you need to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!  Find a way to build your affirmations into a regular routine so you get exposure to positive aspects of yourself daily.  This is the best way to start building towards change.  Does it still take awhile?  Sure!  But, hasn’t it also taken awhile for you to build up negatives about yourself?  If you want to see real change it’s going to take commitment, period.

So let’s talk about ways to build up your routine.  Personally, I find it easiest when things are convenient and quick because like most people, I can get pretty busy.  I like to put affirmations on sticky notes and tape them to my bathroom mirror so I can read them to myself every time I brush my teeth.  Others may prefer to put them on a makeup mirror or vanity, dresser top, desk, computer, or even as the wallpaper on your cell phone.  Whatever works best as a reminder that is unavoidable is the way to go. 

As you start to implement this daily, you will notice a bit more awareness when you use negative self talk or when you are thinking about something opposite to the wording of your affirmations.  This is a sign it is working!  I like to change up my affirmations about once a month or so, or whenever I notice I am doing better with some and would like to work on another aspect of myself.  Another great time to change them up is around the time of the new moon.  The new moon is about a time of letting go and releasing that which does not serve us anymore so it’s a perfect time to think of a theme in your life that you want to work on changing.  If for some reason you don’t feel like you are getting anywhere, perhaps take a look at your wording and make some adjustments to increase the believability factor.  You may find you want to do this even when you are making progress as you start to gain a better focus on the true heart of the issue that is blocking you.  Remember, YOU know yourself better than anyone. 

So, to summarize:  affirmations work best when they are 1) realistic, 2) positively worded, and 3) practiced regularly.  It also helps to make the process fun; your journey to self love doesn’t have to be scary and difficult.  Happy metamorphosis!