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How to write affirmations
March 24, 2022 Inspiration•Lifestyle•Self

How to write affirmations that actually work

Many people find affirmations to be a powerful tool, so learning how to write affirmations can be an important skill. For me, the strength of affirmations lies in shifting your mindset. We all struggle with doubt or negative thoughts sometimes, and affirmations can be a great tool in shifting those negative outlooks into positive ones that support your goals.

While there are many inspiring affirmations already written by others, crafting ones that are tailored to your experiences is very impactful.

What is an affirmation?

An affirmation is a positive statement you repeat often. This statement reinforces a positive outlook that replaces a negative one. It helps you focus, regain perspective, and deal with challenges in a positive way.

Do affirmations even work?

There have been several scientific studies on the effect of affirmations. The verdict? Yes, they can result in real changes in behaviour and performance under stress. However, like many things in life, affirmations are not “one size fits all”. Practicing affirmations that are personalized and meaningful to you will have the best effect.

How to write affirmations that actually work - A notebooks says "I am the author of my own story"

How to write affirmations that are personalized

Affirmations will be most powerful when they are tailored to your own life. The deeper you can dig when creating them, the more impact they will have in supporting the changes you want to make. Follow the guide below to craft your own. There aren’t too many steps, but really take your time to get the most out of each one.

1: Identify a limiting belief.

What are you struggling with right now? Maybe there is a particular challenge you want to overcome, or a particular project you want to achieve. Next, identify your limiting beliefs: what thoughts are holding you back? Take some time to consider these aspects of your mindset. Are they helping you reach your goals? Are they even true?

For example, maybe there is something new you want to do, but you are too fearful to try it. The thoughts you might be feeling are “I’m scared” “I can’t do this” “It will fail” or maybe “It’s too big a challenge”.

This step is the most challenging, but also the most important to uncovering affirmations that will have a big impact in your life.

2: How can you reframe it?

Now that you’ve identified a negative thought, how can you reframe it it in a positive way that serves you? How do you want to live your life? Jot down some ideas. It doesn’t have to be perfectly written, you just want to capture the main concept. The important part here is for your reframed thought to be meaningful and believable to you.

For our example above, maybe your statement looks like: “I want to be brave and confident so that I can try new things and not be afraid of the result.”

3: Write your affirmation.

Follow the tips in the section below to craft your idea into a powerful affirmation that is meaningful for you.

After editing your affirmation, maybe it looks something like this:

“I am brave; my confidence grows with each step I take outside of my comfort zone and I feel proud of my progress”

4: Practice it often.

Practice your affirmation in whatever way feels good to you. Perhaps you put a sticky note by your mirror and read it to yourself every time you pass by. Maybe you enjoy journalling and write it in each entry. Every time you feel that negative thought creeping up, use your affirmation to remind yourself that you are not that thought. You have goals, and you have the strength to achieve them!

How to write affirmations - A women looks at a vision board

Tips for how to write affirmations that are effective

The core of your affirmation is the most important. That’s what we discovered in the steps above, but you can tweak the wording to make it even stronger of a statement that will drive change for you.

Tip 1 – Use present tense

The typical beginning of an affirmation is “I am”, but remember, the statement has to be believable to you or it won’t have the effect you want. If you are struggling to believe the “I am” statement, that’s okay! Try “I am working towards” or something similar instead. This is still a statement set in the present.

Tip 2 – Keep it positive

Positive statements are more effective than negative ones. It’s like the “don’t think of a pink elephant” trick. If you write negative statements into your affirmations, you will stay focused on the negative. What does this mean? Think “I do” vs “I don’t”. Keep the core of the message but write it in a positive way. If you’ve written “I don’t let people take advantage of me”, a positive version might be “I do set firm boundaries when dealing with others”.

Tip 3 – Make it personal

The more personal the affirmation is to you and your life, the more powerful it will be in inspiring change. To be most effective, it should be rooted in your personal values. Just remember, sometimes we show others more kindness and leniency than we do ourselves. Remember to be kind and supportive towards yourself as well!

Tip 4 – Be specific

The more specific your affirmation is, the more efficient it will be in inspiring achievable change. For example, if your statement is “I am brave” … How are you brave? What do you do to be brave? Include this in your affirmation.

Tip 5 – You’ve already got this

Try writing your affirmations from a position of “grateful having”. Imagine what your life is like when you have already achieved this goal, and write from that feeling.

Tip 6 – Include emotions

Emotions are so powerful in driving connection, and you can use them to make your affirmation stronger. Incorporating them into your statement will make it more impactful. For example, this could be tied into tip 5: how do you feel when you have achieved your goal?

Final thoughts on how to write affirmations

I hope the guide above was useful in helping you craft affirmations that are meaningful and powerful for you. It’s a bit of a journey, but so worthwhile when you can change your mindset in a positive way to help you achieve your goals and live a life you love.

If anything particularly stood out to you, or if you’ve written an affirmation that you’d like to share with others, please comment below! I’d love to read them.

Wishing you all the best on your journey. I know you will achieve great things!

xoxo

Mariam

Are looking to overcome even bigger challenges? If affirmations don’t seem like enough, try How to overcome challenges when it feels like all is lost, in 3 steps

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Happy Earth Day! 🌎💚 I’ve noticed a lot of Happy Earth Day! 🌎💚 I’ve noticed a lot of “earth day sales” in my feed this year, which is fun and exciting, but I just wanted to put a reminder out there that we can’t shop ourselves out of a climate crisis 🌷 Of course choosing to support sustainable businesses is an important part of the picture, but it can sometimes distract us from other important things that quietly slip by.

Do you have a beautiful nature reserve that is getting sold off to land developers? (I know that’s a problem where I live). Is there are park you love that is littered in garbage? Are you missing a compost option in your town?

These things that are a little harder than clicking “buy now”, but are equally as important! This earth day, I’d like to encourage you to take a little time to see what is going on where you live and where your support might be appreciated. I know this is an area I need to improve in as well.

What are you doing this earth day that doesn’t require shopping? 💖

♡♡♡ 

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💖 Trying to practice gratefulness, but having a 💖 Trying to practice gratefulness, but having a hard time finding things you are grateful for? Just think of what makes you happy! 😊

Start with one every day, and of course you can always add more ✨ Here are 5 things I’m grateful for lately. If you have any you’d like to share, please leave a comment below! We can get a little collection of happy, grateful moments going together too look back on ☺️

Hope you have a wonderful day 🤗

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How many can you spot? 👀 Once in a while we ju How many can you spot? 👀

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What have you tried lately? 

Today we spent a nice afternoon looking at and learning about frogs @rbgcanada 🙂 They’re surprisingly interesting, and it was a fun challenge to try to spot all of them… frogs can be quite good at camouflaging! 🥸 

Did you find all three?

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #trysomethingnew #trysomethingneweveryday #trysomethingdifferent #naturechallenge #eyespy #froggies #frogs #royalbotanicalgardensburlington #canyoufindit #conservationmatters #protectwildlife #protectnature
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This little cutie wants to wish you a wonderful day! I hope that everything goes smoothly, and even if you have those inevitable challenges, know that this little one is rooting for you! You will get through it! 💖

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It seems that we’ve been getting all our winter weather right at the end of the season 😅 but I’m happy to get to experience the magic of fluffy white snow!

I often feel conflicted stepping through an undisturbed field. They are just so peaceful and beautiful untouched! ❄️ At the same time, there’s something special about seeing exactly where you’ve been. It’s an interesting reminder that every step you take (or don’t take) has an impact on this planet and the lives on it, including your own.

Lately I’ve been liking making these footprints hearts when I have the chance 💚

What marks do you want to leave behind?

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☀️Be in the moment☀️ This beautiful sunset ☀️Be in the moment☀️
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What’s a meaningful moment you’ve experienced recently?

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We’re having a cold spell, so summer seems even We’re having a cold spell, so summer seems even more appealing today! These little snippets of last year are at least warming my heart ☀️🌸🐞🏖️
How are you staying warm (or cool for my friends down under) this season?

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#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #isitsummeryet #stayingwarm #stayingwarmandcozy #dreamingofsummer
Fly ~ ✨ My sister found this pretty butterfly w Fly ~ ✨

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Seeing this photo again made me think of all the hopes we often hold for the new year.

Dreams can feel big and powerful, but often I find they are delicate creatures like this butterfly… Throughout the year, we sometimes encounter windy days that batter them around, but here is your reminder to hold them gently and nurture them so that they can continue on their journey!

Let your dreams soar 🦋

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Winter or summer? I’m more of a spring person, Winter or summer?

I’m more of a spring person, but I can’t deny how magical and peaceful a white snowy landscape can be! Especially when cozied up with a warm drink, a craft, good book, or loved one 😊

Though the days are colder and darker, there’s still plenty you can do to add some cheer into the day. I like baking something tasty, walking in the woods all bundled up, visiting a new cafe… or even (gasp) leaving the holiday lights up that little bit longer 🤭

How are you staying cozy this season?

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Hope you’re having a cozy day! ♡♡♡ #the Hope you’re having a cozy day!

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Since I can’t see too far ahead, I have to have faith in myself; that I am good where I am, and that as I step forward I am going in the right direction for me.

What do you think of foggy days? Do they hold a special kind of magic for you? I’d love to hear 😊

♡♡♡ 

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Here’s your reminder to take some time to breath Here’s your reminder to take some time to breathe ☺️

☀️🌳💕

Spending time outside always makes me feel better… How do you like to recentrer and recharge?

Hope this weekend leaves you feeling peaceful and refreshed ✨

♡♡♡ 

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“Grow through what you go through” — literal “Grow through what you go through” — literally when you’re these cute flowers! 🌻 I always love passing by flowers growing in unexpected places 😊 

Work has been so busy lately that I haven’t been able to post as much as I’d like, but I’m trying to take inspiration from these pretty blooms and keeping my head up 🌱

How have you been doing lately? Wishing you all the best!

♡♡♡ 

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #growthroughwhatyougothrough #yougotthis #natureistherapy #natureisthebestteacher #flowersinunexpectedplaces #bloomlikeaflower #keepyourheadup #youarethebest
The answer you’ve been waiting for! ⬇️ In m The answer you’ve been waiting for! ⬇️

In my previous reel I did a 2 truths and 1 lie, and here are the answers!

🥁🥁🥁

I do have a bachelor of design in textiles, and I spent a month on a farm in Japan through the WWOOF exchange program 👩‍🌾, so option 3 was the lie 🤥 
Sadly I didn’t grow up with chickens, but it is my dream for the future to have a little piece of land with a steam running through it, some chickens for eggs, and a garden 😊

Did you guess correctly? What are your dreams for the future?

Let’s chat in the comments below 😊

♡♡♡ 

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #2truthsand1lie #gettoknowme #balconygardening #dreamsforthefuture #lifegoalsinprogress #lifeislove #wwoofing
2 truths and 1 lie! Can you guess the answer?✨ 2 truths and 1 lie! Can you guess the answer?✨

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1. 
I studied textiles in University, but have only done typical retail/office jobs 👗

2.
I spent a month living and working on a farm in Japan! 🏯

3.
I had a chicken growing up that had so much attitude  she scared the neighbourhood cats 🐣

What do you think?

See you next week with the answers!

♡♡♡ 

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #gettoknowme #2truths1lie #2truthsandalie #letsplayagame #risingcreativesclub
Sometimes life surprises you 🌸 Did you know th Sometimes life surprises you 🌸

Did you know that air plants could bloom? … I didn’t! 

It’s been a really busy last few weeks at work, and honestly I’ve felt a little overwhelmed, but this cute little flower popped up and really made my day. 😊

What fun thing have you discovered lately? Let me know in the comments!

Hope you’re all doing well 💕

♡♡♡ 

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #hopeinthedark #airplantsofinstagram #airplantlove #surpriseflowers #surpriseflowersarethebest #hanginthere #youvegotthis #everythingyouneedwillcome #plantshelfie #plantsandcrystals #airplantbloom
Leave a ☀️ below if you agree! Looking throug Leave a ☀️ below if you agree!

Looking through "the art of picnics" by
@alannaoneilphoto I saw this page and thought it was the perfect reminder to enjoy these special moments of summer 😊

How will you treasure this season?

(Also, I'm so excited to have a picnic now! Will you join me? 😄)

♡♡♡ 

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#savoursummer #savorsummer #itsthelittlemoments
#everymomentcounts #slowliving #slowsummer
#summerlove #summerisfinallyhere #selfkindness
#bekindtoyourself #taketimeforyourself #iamworthy
#begentle #selfcareisntselfish #selfcareeveryday #summerquotes
New blog post! (link in bio) ✨ If you’re like New blog post! (link in bio) ✨
If you’re like me and aspire to that romantic slow life, but it’s not quite in your cards yet… you can still live a similar lifestyle even in the city or suburbs 🌱🌻

Read the post for some of my favourite ways to live slowly in urban settings, plus my favourite inspiring people to watch! 🌟

Do you have any favourite lifestyle tips or people? I’d love to hear them in the comments ☺️

♡♡♡ 

#thekindestlife #thekindestlifeblog #urbanhomestead #simplelivinglifestyle #sustainablelifestyles #sustainablelivingtips #ecofriendlylifestyle #ecolove #creativeselfcare #loveourplanet #livingsimply #quietlife #urbanrurallife #slowliving #slowlivingmovement #slowlivingtips #apartmentgardening #apartmentgardens #apartmentgardener #homemadeliving #handmadeceramicsdesign #makeityourself #handmadeliving #urbanoasis #selfcare #selfcaretime #readingcorner
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