"I am beautiful..."
*eye roll*
This was one of those affirmations I was told (by some therapist or another) to say as I looked at myself in the mirror. The idea was to boost my esteem and positively affirm my feelings. The problem was, I did NOT think I was beautiful. Every time I repeated this series of affirmations I felt like I was lying. The whole experience had a sheen of gloom around it. No one likes being lied to, and if you're trying to make yourself feel better--you can't get there through lies.
In general, I subscribe to the "Fake it 'til you make it" and "Say it until it's true" mentality. That's one of the places MOXIE lives! But if an affirmation is going to work, it has to FEEL REAL. These pep-talks we give ourselves are messages from our higher/nicer selves and are supposed to be lovingly delivered to the part of us that needs lifting up! Lies aren't loving.
So what do we do? We come up with phrases that we can appreciate. When we say them, our body doesn't feel like pulling away, but instead feels like a slow nod of the head that tells you, "I know, I know." Take the sentiment you want to encourage in your life, and come up with reminders that support the feeling you want to promote. If you can buy it on some level, repeating the phrase will settle in and become a friend. You can also try putting a twist on an affirmation that reminds your inner self of a fresh perspective. For example, I changed my "I am beautiful" and "I love the way I look" affirmations into: "I've put my body through a lot and it is still working hard for me. I'm impressed."
Here are some to try:
Noticing my little daily successes shows my confidence is growing.
Being myself in a world that is constantly trying to make me something else is a strength.
I am making progress if each mistake is a new one.
Today matters more than yesterday. I can start again right now.
I want to move forward and it might feel strange to move again after being stuck for so long.
Here are some personal favorites and ones I repeat OFTEN:
Done is better than perfect.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Grow where you're planted.
There are no boundaries on love.
If you feel like you're walking through HELL...don't stop!! (It helps to chuckle at the end of this one).
Any favorites you like? I'd love it if you'd share.
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