Self Nurturing Affirmations - Tips for Creating a Positive Inner Voice
There is absolutely no way to avoid bad news right now. It seems to me that even when I think something, a conversation with friends let's say, is going to be uplifting, it turns dark and grey, usually a Covid-19 twist that leads to nowhere happy for me.
As we continue to practice physical distancing, our interaction with the outside world is virtual thanks to technology, apps and social media. Thankfully there are a lot of really positive and inspiring events and postings online that offer opportunities to bypass the onslaught of tragic and disheartening stories. While I do believe it is important to stay informed, I find it all overwhelming at times and I'm aware of how my mood and emotions can become melancholy.
I have long understood that cultivating a positive inner voice is an essential practice in self care. What we repeatedly tell ourselves can becomes our beliefs; and we are constantly talking to ourselves, sometimes even out loud. The trick is to change our monologue.
In times when I sense myself becoming down, I know it's time for me to modify not only the story I'm repeating, I need to alter the language and tone of what I'm saying to myself. This is when affirmations become most influential.
The power of affirmations is written and spoken about on many platforms and in arenas, from the psychological to the self help. People use affirmations for many reasons. In this blog post I'd like to focus on how to create affirmations that may help to pull us up out of feelings of sadness and despair to a more positive outlook on ourselves and life in general. Consider the use of affirmations as an essential addition to your self care and self nurturing tool kit.
We affirm and reaffirm emotions and feelings that are pleasant, encouraging and elevating to our mood. These little statements are very personal; the affirmations that resonate with me may not be what you need. I encourage you to create your own and say them to yourself often to give yourself a boost.
Here are 5 guidelines to creating effective and persuasive affirmations.
Start your affirmations with "I" or "I am"
Declare what you want, not what you do not want. Make sure your affirmations are positive statements.
Compose statements that are short and simple.
Use the present tense.
Write affirmations that are personal and meaningful to you.
I find it helpful to anchor my affirmations in my body as I say them. Holding your hands over your heart, a self hug, or dancing while you repeat your affirmations to yourself can be a powerful way to connect the mind and body and create the new sensations as you exercise this self care practice. I started a habit of repeating affirmations as I was on my stand up paddle board. The rhythm of paddling while staying balanced is both soothing and hypnotic, a great way for me to deepen and embody the positive feelings that these simple statements bring. Engage in whatever means work best for you.
Here are 3 of my favourite affirmations that I often use to ease my anxious mind.
I am now calm and relaxed.
I choose to be happy in the moment.
I am bliss.
I'd love to hear from you. Have you used affirmations and if yes, what is one of your favourites?
Stay safe and take care of yourself.
