Affirm Yourself

The Something

That something is an affirmation. Affirmations are quick conversations with yourself to remind you of the good in you. To support you. To be kind to you. To remind you that you have what you need within you. You’re going to have more conversations with yourself than anyone else in your lifetime. Unfortunately, what we tell ourselves can be negative, sometimes even harsh. Here is a question: Would you let a friend talk to you that way? Wouldn’t you hope a good friend would remind you of all those good and kind things about you? That’s what an affirmation is. And those 15 seconds of talking to yourself in that positive, encouraging voice, once or twice a day, will help you feel better. Much better.

You’ve Got the Power!

Science shows that affirmations increase feel-good hormones and decrease negativity. Think of it as your superpower! The more you say your affirmatives, the more your good shines through, the more you trust yourself, so you can put the worries aside and enjoy being you.

So How Do You Do This?

Ask yourself: “What is it that I need right now?” If you have trouble putting your finger on what it is exactly that you need, try turning the negative thoughts in your head into positive opposites. For example, if you feel like you are constantly failing everyone’s expectations, what you may need is knowing that you are enough and don’t have to change. Or you may want to tell yourself that you don’t have to be perfect and that you are worthy of love no matter what.

Be careful not to focus on the past. It’s a natural tendency. When you notice that your mind keeps going back to experiences that have already happened, reset to consider what it is that you need right now. Instead of “I wish I wouldn’t have done X,” think about what it is that helps you move forward, like a kind friend or family member would.

What you really could use right now may be some forgiveness. Allow yourself to have made a mistake, had a lapse in judgment, or made a bad decision. Or maybe it’s acceptance. An affirmation is the kindness or hug you need for yourself. It is one of the simplest and most powerful forms of self-love. An affirmation meets your needs in the moment.

Some Examples of Needs You May Have:

• Confidence in your abilities
• Body positivity
• Self-acceptance
• Healing a broken heart
• Finding peace and optimism during difficult times
• Coping with grief and loss

And don’t worry about doing it wrong or forgetting to say your affirmations one day (or for an entire week). Give yourself a chance to figure out what works best for you. Something you can do to help you develop affirmations as a new habit in your daily routine is putting sticky notes with your affirmation on your bathroom mirror, your bedside table, on the fridge, or in your daily planner. Maybe you also find a habit partner and do it together!

Just keep it simple and remember that deciding to create a habit of saying affirmations will help remind you of all the good things you are.

Write down your own affirmation and keep it!

Laurie Azzano is the owner of Lolo’s Studio, New Orleans’ first youth-centered yoga studio. Through yoga, fitness, and art, Lolo’s is bringing body and mind together and helping youth tap into their internal power so they can better manage physical and mental stress. Learn more at lolosstudio.com or check out Lolo’s Studio on Instagram at @lolosyouthyoga.