Positive affirmations are short, present-tense phrases that many people repeat to meet self-doubt with a kinder voice. In moments of frustration, it can be easy to sink into feelings of self-doubt and negative beliefs. Writing positive affirmations and practicing them may support your mood and your sense of confidence, though the effect differs from person to person. Here’s how to begin.
Writing Positive Affirmations
You can practice generic affirmations or tailor them to you — whatever will work best for you. Here are a few ways you can begin writing positive affirmations.
Use Present Tense
Whether you begin journaling to help you write your affirmations or start brainstorming ideas for your pledges, ensure you use the present tense. Begin with “I am…” rather than “I will…”.
Setting goals for your future is great for self-growth, but your affirmations should occur in the here and now. Journaling can help you get your negative feelings onto the page and find a response to them that feels supportive, which can become the seed of an affirmation.
Keep it Short and Sweet
Positive affirmations can be whatever length you need them to be. However, shorter phrases are easier to remember and repeat. Your affirmation should feel natural and be something that feels supportive to you.
With a short, clear phrase, it can be easier to keep your intention in mind. Repetition is a central part of affirmation practice. You want your assertions to be concise and easy to remember so you can repeat them to yourself whenever necessary.
Narrow it Down
You want your positive affirmation to have a focus and present a change you want to make. Try making a list of areas you want help with, like your relationships, career, personal goals, or mental health.
What do you want to work on or change? You can use mindfulness meditation to notice which thoughts and habits you would like to shift. Then, write an affirmation for each area and work on implementing them. If you want to feel more confident, you could write a phrase that reminds you of your determination and repeat it to yourself often.
Practicing Positive Affirmations
Like other changes you make in your life, affirmations tend to work best with regular practice.
Consistency is Key for Growth
Practicing your positive affirmations consistently may help them feel more natural. Giving your words steady attention is part of how any new habit takes hold. As you repeat an affirmation over time, the phrase may start to feel more familiar.
For some people, that familiarity makes the words easier to believe. You can repeat your affirmation as often as feels helpful.
Dedicate an Affirmation Time
You can say your affirmations whenever you need to hear them, but giving them their own time of day can ensure you remember to state them daily. Dedicating time for positive affirmations can also make them easier to remember, since you come back to them more often.
Repeat them multiple times a day or set aside a time for them once a day. Stating your affirmations in the morning can be a gentle way to begin your day. When you’re winding down at night, you can say them to reassure yourself before you rest.
Say Them Aloud to Evoke Feeling
Saying your positive affirmations aloud can make them feel more real. You might even speak to yourself in a mirror. This may feel silly at first, and some people find it helpful anyway. If a phrase starts to feel believable, it may be easier to meet challenges with a steadier mind.
You might choose a comfortable place and speak your affirmations aloud until the words begin to land. They may not always evoke emotions, and that’s OK. Give them time to sink in, and they may start to resonate with you.
What Positive Affirmations Can Offer
Hearing yourself say encouraging words can be comforting, and many people find a daily affirmation practice a steady way to show up for themselves. Affirmations may soften the weight of negative self-talk, but they are one tool among many and complement, rather than replace, professional mental health care.
Disclaimer
Please note that these positive affirmations and the creative content herein are not to be perceived as or relied upon in any way as medical or mental health advice or treatment. If you are experiencing distress or a mental health crisis, please seek the support of a trained medical or mental health professional.
