New Year, New Affirmations
As we bring in the New Year, many of us have written our goals and new year’s resolutions, but have left affirmations in 2023.
I encourage you to bring affirmations into the new year because of their benefits and to encourage positive self talk. And I am here to help you through writing some.
Why affirmations?
Affirmations act as verbal or mental reinforcements of positive thoughts and beliefs. They can help cultivate a more optimistic mindset, reduce stress, help with goal setting, be an act of manifestation (if that’s your thing) and be an easy way to cast out self-doubt and amplify your self love subconsciously.
Personally, affirmations have undoubtably helped me calm myself down in moments of anxiety and has taught me the power of words and their effect on your outlook on life and your experiences. (Click here to read my blog “Mama Said favor Ain’t Fair”— an article about my experience with God’s favor and grace over my life and the importance of speaking and seeking only the positive.)
Where to start with affirmations:
Create a couple values for your life. Ask yourself what values are of utmost importance to you. This will help you create affirmations that are specific to your values which will help you fulfill them and remained disciplined to those values.
My examples: Gratitude, Ambition, Consistency, Discipline, Service, Mindfulness, Carefreeness, Joy, Tenacity, Intentional Love, Health, Generosity, Prayer
Think about who you want to be. I am a firm believer that showing up as the person that you want to be, ultimately helps you become that person. Think about who it is that you want to be— What do you look like? What are the people you surround yourself with like? What makes you happy? Answering these questions will help you craft affirmations that gravitate you towards the vision for your life.
My example: I envision a life guided by a harmonious blend of carefreeness and discipline. My commitment to health remains unwavering as I prioritize physical fitness, nutritious food choices, and mental clarity. I have a profound focus on prayer and mindfulness. Those around me show up for me as I do for them.
Crafting the affirmations.
You can either start your affirmations with “I am”, “I have”, “I will”, or express gratitude/appreciate the beauty of one of your values.
I challenge you to make three affirmations for each value/vision you came up with.
My examples:
I am not my mistakes.
Healing feels so good
I will not let fear hinder my purpose
I am worthy of intentional love
I am qualified and equipped because I am a child of the Most High
Every day, I commit to actions that improve my physical and mental health
My life is filled with joy and I radiate positivity to those around me
I am grateful for the abundance in my life, and I appreciate every blessing, big or small
My heart overflows with generosity
I recognize that nothing I do is solely for myself… Everything has a larger purpose
My tenacity knows no bounds
I allow myself to experience instead of consuming
Putting the affirmations into practice:
Practice saying the affirmations, preferably in the mirror, every morning or night. Incorporate them into your daily routine (for example, your morning stretch, during a workout, when you’re doing makeup, etc.) Consistently saying your affirmations helps reinforcement.
Visualize your affirmations. Believe what you wrote and believe what you’re saying. Say your affirmations with such confidence that you can illustrate an image in your mind.
Ground yourself with your affirmations. When you’re having a tough time— experiencing anxiety before a test, feeling unworthy, or stressed out— ground yourself by saying your affirmations. This will help redirect your mind to more optimistic thoughts.
In essence, affirmations are an effective technique for harnessing the immense power of the mind. When done regularly and with sincerity, they serve as a vital part of one's path to self-improvement, resilience, and a more satisfying life. Remember that what we tell ourselves matters. Choose wisely, and let affirmations guide you to a brighter, more powerful future.