What Are Affirmations?

The purpose of affirmations is to challenge self-sabotaging thoughts and help you overcome them in order to achieve your goals. Whenever you speak negative or self-defeating thoughts to yourself, your body and mind begin to develop pathways that enable them to become a reality. By speaking positive affirmations, you are able to correct these pathways through a process of conscious awareness. As you make these statements, take the time to visualize and identify with each symbolization to make it meaningful to you. 

How Often Should I Do It?

For affirmations to be effective, you must make them a habit. Try to repeat them ten times to yourself during three different parts of your day. The best time to do this would be in the morning (before you get up), during lunchtime, and before you go to bed at night. Ideally, the mantra should be recited in a calm, relaxed environment, and preferably in the dark to maximize your focus. Ensure that the words are spoken with consciousness.

Examples of Affirmations

A simple affirmation to live by might be “I am worthy of love” or “I am in control of my life.” As each individual is unique, there is no right or wrong affirmation. And different people respond to affirmations in different ways based on the challenges they’re facing at the time. 

For example, when someone is having trouble feeling confident, they may find self-love affirmations particularly helpful. Alternatively, if you’re worried about your career, you might benefit from daily affirmations for success. 

Play around with the following affirmations until you find one that resonates with you:

Small Property

“I was a small property ravaged by a storm. The fine weather has returned. The forest and the river have become calm. The house is vibrant and shines in the sun. And above all, the field is returning to its order, health, and beauty. Thank you my depleted organs, for I know you have done all this to save my whole being and thanks to myself for doing my healing.”

Ho’oponopono

The Hawaiian word ho’oponopono roughly translates to “cause things to move back into balance” or “make things right.” It has an incredibly zen-like quality to it. As a native Hawaiian, the word “pono” means balance, as in “life.” When things are in balance, nothing is out of place. Chanting this phrase repeatedly is considered an effective way to eliminate guilt, shame, haunting memories, ill will, or negative emotions that keep our minds occupied with harmful thoughts.

Four tiny phrases are all you need to know:

• I love you. 
• I’m sorry.
• Please forgive me
• Thank you. 

Remember that there are no right or wrong affirmations. The key is finding ones that resonate with you. Affirmations can be a powerful tool to challenge negative thoughts and achieve your goals. By repeating positive statements with conscious awareness and visualization, you can create new pathways in your mind and body that lead to positive outcomes. Keep at it, and trust in the process!