Adding affirmations to your therapeutic toolbox can be a simple and effective tool to rewire our brains for what we want instead of our brains natural focus of negativity in order to protect our species. By adding in focus on just 1-3 affirmation statements we can really fine-tune our direction to head in the direction that we want. If we say them aloud, or WITH EMPHASIS!, we can improve our chances of believing them because our brains Really pay attention to exclamation and excitement. (This is how we focus on negative so easily: it's a big neon flashing sign to our brain which is trying to pay attention to all the things in order to keep us alive.)
If we can attach this new practice to something we already do then we can have an even better chance of remembering to practice and thus a better chance at success. These tasks might be practicing while doing things such as brushing our teeth, getting into or out of a vehicle, leaving our home, etc.
For instance, if we want or need to learn a new language or skill then we can begin to set our intentions to be successful at that. Examples of affirmations for that task might be: "I am learning a new language." "I'm making it fun to learn a new language." "I'm taking steps to learn a new language." "I am capable of learning a new language." There are many options here.
One of my favorite affirmations is as follows: "My #1 responsibility is my own growth and well-being. The more I love myself, the more I will love others." Continue reading to find several more gems that I really like. Please consider making your own by writing positively what you'd like to accomplish as if it's already accomplished, and with strong language, use a motivating adjective or verb, and make them credible and achievable.
Below I'm going to link to some sites that have some great info on affirmations.
Check out SelfLoveRainbow by Dominee for some great positive foci.
OurMindfulLife is also a great place for a positive refocus.
And some affirmations I have on my own handout for clients are as follows: 1. I look for and enjoy new challenges. 2. I am a unique and special person. 3. I accept all my feelings as part of myself and will get through the difficult ones. 4. I am open to receiving all the blessings of this abundant universe. 5. It's okay for me to have fun and enjoy myself. 6. Every day I am growing. 7. This is a rich universe and there is plenty for all of us. 8. I am continuing to improve my communication skills. 9. I am now attracting loving, satisfying, happy relationships into my life. 10. I am whole and complete in myself. 11. I love and appreciate myself just as I am. 12. I am the master of my life, focusing on how I respond and act to the world around me. 13. I have everything I need to enjoy my here and now. 14. I let go of all limiting thoughts of anxiety or doubt. 15. I am kind, compassionate and gentle with myself. 16. I count my blessings and rejoice in my growing awareness. 17. I am likable, lovable, confident and secure. 18. I love myself with all my imperfections. 19. I am my own authority and cannot be hurt or put down by the attitudes or opinions of others. 20. I like and respect myself and I'm worthy of the respect of others. 21. I am able to release all tensions and resentments. 22. I have the energy, courage and resources to make those changes I need to make. 23. I will meet those people with whom I can have mutually satisfying and loving relationships. 24. I am able to deal with my anger openly, honestly and appropriately. 25. I am able to see where I need to direct my energies. 26. I respect the right of others to have opinions or attitudes different than mine, but I refuse to be put down by those opinions. 27. I do not have to prove myself as a person to anyone. I need only express myself as honestly and effectively as I am capable with the knowledge that there is no way everybody will accept me. I accept me.
I hope you've found this article helpful.
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