Each week we will be sharing a new affirmation. The introductory information will remain the same, but if you are new to affirmations, please check out the first two sections on “What is an Affirmation?” and “How to Practice Your Affirmation.” If you regularly read our weekly article or already do affirmations, feel free to skip to the section titled “Read Today’s Affirmation.”
What is an Affirmation
Many have heard of affirmations, but if you haven’t tried them yet, you are missing out! Simply put, an affirmation is a statement you use to affirm yourself – you know, to say something positive. There are many different types, and as long as they are positive, there really is no wrong way to do an affirmation.
Affirmations can be a simple phrase, a list of related statements, or a focused paragraph. All of these work well depending on the situation you are working on, the time you have, and your intention – your intention being the most important part of the equation.
Do Affirmations Work?
According to an article by Catherine Moore, Psychologist, MBA in PositivePsychology.com “There is MRI evidence suggesting that certain neural pathways are increased when people practice self-affirmation tasks (Cascio et al., 2016). If you want to be super specific, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex—involved in positive valuation and self-related information processing—becomes more active when we consider our personal values (Falk et al., 2015; Cascio et al., 2016).
The results of a study by Falk and colleagues suggest that when we choose to practice positive affirmations, we’re better able to view “otherwise-threatening information as more self-relevant and valuable” (2015: 1979).”
So the bottom line is yes – affirmations work. It’s not a magic bullet. You do have put in the time and effort to practice them regularly. Do some research and find the affirmations that resonate with you, then begin to put them into practice. You can begin your search with the affirmation for today.
How to Practice Your Affirmation
Here is how to practice today’s affirmation. It is not original – but it is so good, I had to share (with permission of course and the promise to keep the originator anonymous). If you are comfortable with the idea, I like to recommend that people do this in front of a mirror. Read the affirmation a phrase at a time, then pause after each phrase. Take time to look yourself in the eye and then repeat the phrase back to yourself aloud. When you are finished with the affirmation, take time to breathe and reflect.
Finish your time by answering the self-reflection questions below. You can answer them any way you like, but I prefer to have a journal where I can have both my affirmations and the answers to my questions together. You may be surprised when you look back at them one day and discover the answers may be totally different.
Read Today’s Affirmation
I start fresh.
Today is a new beginning. I let go of the past. I appreciate who I am now. I focus on the things I can control and move forward. I forgive myself and others.
I try new things. I learn how to knit a sweater or play pickleball. I experiment with different recipes. I take the scenic route to work.
I practice healthy habits. I make healthy choices such as when I choose to eat eggs and fruit for breakfast and skip the pastries. I get a healthy amount of restful sleep each night, I choose to go to bed early rather than binge-watching TV or scrolling social media for hours.
I build my connections and increase my sense of belonging. I deepen my relationships with family and friends. I reveal my inner thoughts and feelings. I introduce myself new people regularly. My community grows bigger, deeper and stronger.
I revise my schedule to keep it manageable. I shorten my to-do list. I cross out activities that drain my energy. I devote my time to the things in my best interest and the best interest of those I care for.
I clear away clutter from all areas of my life. I throw away items I no longer use or give them to charity. Getting organized reduces stress and helps me to think more clearly.
I update my goals, intentions, and dreams. I create new challenges for myself. I decide what I want to achieve. I give my life more meaning and direction.
I think positive thoughts and take healthy risks. I believe in myself and my abilities. I move beyond my comfort zone. I learn from and appreciate each experience for what it teaches me, whether pleasant or not. Every experience is a life lesson that works towards good if I allow it.
Today, I reinvent myself. I discover my passions and strengths. I feel excited and inspired.
Answer the Self-Reflection Questions:
1. What is one thing I need to forgive myself for?
2. If I wanted to change careers, what new field would I choose?
3. What are some signs that I need to make a fresh start?
I hope you enjoyed this issue of Sunday Serenities. It is my mission to help provide you with the tools you need to have a more peaceful life so you can:
Find your purpose – Find your joy!
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Did you find a few more ideas of your own? If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments, and as always please reach out with your thoughts.
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Email: info@SerenitiesNow.com
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