In a world filled with constant exposure to negative news, the impact of comparison culture amplified by social media and the pressure to meet unrealistic standards set by these societal structures can negatively impact our mental health.
As technology advances and jobs become more automated, the feeling of disconnection is flooding in, clouding people's sense of purpose and self-worth.
Modern lifestyles also tend to lack the community support that was once more common due to the impact of remote work, online socialisation and urbanisation.
In a changing world, affirmations provide stability and grounding. They remind people of timeless truths about their worth, potential, and capacity for growth, offering comfort in an uncertain world.
So, what are affirmations?
An affirmation is essentially positive self-talk: sentences you craft and repeat that reinforce your confidence, make you feel happy, and force you to constructively view yourself and your world.
These must be present tense, talking about yourself and your life now. You will not become something; the aim is to reinforce who you are now. This will change and evolve as you do. Our Psychic Sisters team loves an affirmation; when paired with some of our fragrance oils and incense, they can be truly powerful!
For example:
“I am strong”
“I am wise”
“I am smart”
“I am powerful”
“Today is a beautiful day”
You can also set a ritual for giving thanks, for example:
“I am grateful for my Grandma”
“I am grateful for my best friend”
“I am grateful for my lunch today, pasta bake! Yum.”
“I am grateful for my job, paving the way for my true potential”
“I am grateful for my dog; he loves me just as much as I love him”
Your brain has neuroplasticity, constantly changing and adapting based on your thoughts and actions.
Affirmations aim to almost rewire your brain or teach it to focus on good thoughts instead of bad ones.
Think of your brain as a muscle; working out the muscle makes you more resilient and more in control.
In time, with hope, our thoughts become naturally hard-wired to see the beauty and blessings in our lives. It will take time, but the end result may change your life.
Essentially, beginners will fake it until they make it to self-love.
How To Write Affirmations
Beginning to write affirmations when you’ve never done it before can seem daunting, but it's not something you need to overthink.
Start by taking some quiet time for yourself. Sit down with a pen and paper, scan the room, and identify things you love.
“I am grateful for that lamp; my grandma gave me that lamp”... I am grateful for my Grandma; she’s so thoughtful and loves me so much”
Things will unravel and will have warmed you up for the self-reflection.
Next, focus on yourself; what do you love about yourself? Eg.
“I love my eyes; they’re a gorgeous blue”
“I love my resilience after a hard year. Look where I am?”
Once you pull at that thread, you can tailor your power pose statements!
“I am strong”
“I am resilient”
“I am beautiful”
“I am powerful”
“I am loved”
It's normal to feel slightly uncomfortable. Over time, your confidence will grow, and this will become natural. Have faith in the process.
Most importantly, you have to keep going. Create a ritual, morning / evening for example. Our brains are muscles and need a daily workout. Start a routine and stick to it to see results.
Why Is This Important?
We can be so focused on looking ahead or dwelling on the past that we can unconsciously spiral into an unhealthy mindset.
An unhealthy mindset can result in poor mental health internally and being overall unpleasant to speak to externally.
We have little time on this floating rock in space, so tainting everything with darkness seems like a waste.
Taking each day step by step, being grateful and open, and giving people light, hope, and happiness can be the best for yourself and those around you.
Build Each Other Up!
Self-care is important for your mental health and well-being, so why not nurture those around you?
Many limiting beliefs are picked up from our friends, family, and colleagues, so try to be a positive force in your community.
Unfortunately, British culture views negativity as a bit of a norm, and because of this, people suffer from a lack of confidence and self-esteem. Focusing your intentions on love, appreciation, and kindness will benefit all of us.
Affirmations are also a widely encouraged technique for children in modern-day life. They build positive neural pathways and strengthen the brain's pathways for optimism and confidence during a critical developmental stage when self-identity is forming.
Negative thoughts like “I’m not good at this” or “this is terrible” can become ingrained if not addressed, impacting not only one's performance but also one's motivation.
Affirmations encourage us to focus on our strengths and abilities. Hearing or saying statements like “I am kind” or “I can do this” reinforces a sense of self-worth and empowers a healthier mindset.
These affirmations are not delusions; they create a growth mindset. Affirmations such as “I learn from my mistakes” constructively encourage accountability.
Regulating your emotions with affirmations like “I can stay calm” or “I am in control” helps people recognise their emotions and manage their responses.
Skeptics beware!
Affirmations are not ‘a load of rubbish,’ but their effectiveness will depend on your mindset and dedication.
Affirmations are tried and tested by millions of people worldwide and are supported by science, ‘The Theory of Self-Affirmation,’ which suggests that they can help people maintain their self-worth during stressful times.
It is important to ensure your affirmations are authentic and that you believe them. Do not set unrealistic affirmations, as this can make you feel the opposite of the goal. For example: “I am financially rich” when you’re struggling financially can deplete your confidence levels and create cognitive dissonance, disconnecting you from your power.
Affirmations are a way of appreciating yourself in the now, setting goals, and actively establishing intentions. Intentions without action will never create meaningful change in your life; they will keep you stagnant.
We all want to change and evolve positively, and affirmations help you reflect on yourself, your strengths, and who you are. The more you focus on yourself, the more you will move toward the ultimate version of yourself.
Affirmations cannot cure mental health issues; these are for trained professionals to support, but affirmations can help your mindset see the light instead of only the darkness.
Affirmations are not a “magic fix,” but they can be useful tools combined with belief, action, and effort. For some people, they are a way to boost confidence and maintain focus. For others, they might feel ineffective or unhelpful if they aren't aligned with personal beliefs or realistic goals.
Speak To Psychic Sisters For Help With Your Daily Affirmations!
Psychic Sisters is a supportive community of mindfulness experts here to spread the love and help you on your way.
We offer real-life energy readings for those who need a helping hand digging deep and a selection of crystal-infused comfort pieces, such as PJs, candles, and fragrances, to bring positive vibrations into your routine.
So when you start planning your new ritual, look at what the Psychic Sisters offer; we bring the vibe, and you bring the intention!
You are amazing, worth it, and can do this.
Contact our team if you have any more questions on affirmations!