The Power of Negative Affirmations
What are affirmations? They are daily promises to yourself of the person you commit to becoming and embodying. They are a plan, an intention for yourself. My personal affirmations change regularly based on where I feel I could use most support.
But let's just cut to the chase, if you are reading this blog I'm assuming that affirmations are not a new concept to you. You may have even tried them yourself already and realized that they work for some people and not for you. I totally understand how frustrating this can be, but don't lose hope! There are steps you can take to make sure that these truly powerful tools work effectively in your life.
#1: The first and most powerful step is recognizing your NEGATIVE AFFIRMATIONS. At some point in our lives, we began to develop a story about ourselves. That story consisted of positive and negative beliefs we have about ourselves and the world around us. Write down what you’ve always thought of as your negative qualities including criticisms from others. They may or may not be true which is fine either way because we all are imperfectly perfect. Just make a note of them and look for a common theme, such as “I’m unworthy.” Here is where the beginning of transformation happens...in the acceptance of our pain and inner blockages.
As you write these out, do you feel it anywhere in your body? Tightness in your throat? Knot in your stomach? Ask yourself if this negative concept helps you move toward or away from your ideal life.
#2: How do you view yourself in positive light? What do you believe to be true about yourself whether you are living it or not? Use empowering words that make you feel inspired and proud of your greatness. After you have written your affirmations, ask a close friend or your coach to read it to see if they have any suggestions to make it stronger.
#3: Put it out there! Out loud, speak the affirmation for a couple minutes a day or more. You can look at yourself in the mirror as you repeat the positive statement to put a face to the person you are affirming (YOU). To reinforce the new belief write out the affirmation several times in your journal or on a sticky note! *Notice if your style of writing changes over time. This could be a clue as to how your mind perceives the new concept.
#4: Fortify and embody the affirmation as you are repeating it by placing your hand on the area that felt uncomfortable when you wrote out the negative belief in step one. Remember to BREATHE.
#5: Receive! Having a friend or coach repeat your affirmation to you helps you to identify with this concept further as something that others perceive you as too. If you don’t have someone who you feel comfortable asking then use your reflection in the mirror as the person who is reinforcing the healthy message.
Affirmations can be a powerful, but they work best if you can first identify the negative belief that is opposing them.
A good friend once gave me a list of affirmations at a very difficult time in my life and I read that list daily like they were an oasis in a baren desert. I would like to pass that precious gift to you. Please use it, change it, share it, save it... take what you need. YOU ARE EXCEPTIONAL.
1. I have what I need to get through this.
2. Living according to my values is what really matters.
3. Failure is an essential part of the road to success.
4. All I can do is MY best.
5. I am stronger than I give myself credit for.
6. I am enough.
7. I can handle feeling uncomfortable.
8. I have staying power, I do not expect immediate results.
9. I welcome challenges and embrace change.
10. I won't allow the noise of others to influence my core.
BIG love,
Leah