Affirmations are positive statements that are intended to help us overcome self-sabotage and negative thinking. Affirmations are not just inspiring phrases, they are motivational. They help us stay grounded, release toxic thoughts, and focus on our goals.
But like meditation, affirmations only work with regular practice. If you only repeat the affirmation in a moment of crisis you need to recover from, it isn’t working.
The point of affirming yourself is to manifest more balance and peace in your life. Daily affirmations should be part of a morning or evening ritual, or both. That’s why I’ve created two affirmation videos for you to use on a daily basis as you integrate this powerful tool into your life.
Daily I AM Statements for 21 Days that allow you to experience yourself at your best.
Sleep Affirmations to listen to in your sleep and wake up feeling amazing and energized.
Now, let’s examine the science behind affirmations, as well as the different types of positive affirmations that might work for you to manifest lavish abundance and joy.
Do Affirmations Work?
Studies have shown that affirmations do work, but not always the way we wish they would.
When a negative thought is truly ingrained in us, an affirmation may not be a strong enough starting point to release it. As a study published in Psychological Science put it, “if people who believe that they are unlovable repeat, ‘I’m a lovable person,’ they may dismiss this statement and perhaps even reinforce their conviction that they are unlovable.” In short, this study concludes that positive self-love affirmations work for some people, but not for others.
But those are not the only types of affirmations. Affirmations work best when they orient us toward our values and what we want for the future, according to one 2016 study. They also tend to resonate more when directed toward areas we already have high self-esteem and confidence. Whether it’s an affirmation about professional success, money, or health and athletic performance, affirmations work for us in areas we are confident we can live up to them. And as that confidence grows over time, working with a therapist or coach can break down other, deeper barriers that limit self-love and success or lead to other types of self-sabotage.
Remember, there isn’t one tool that will do it all—and every person has a different approach that works for them.
Types of Affirmation Examples
With that said, here’s a list of some different types of affirmations and examples of each:
Self-love affirmation: Self-love affirmations orient us in our values of self-care, compassion, and patience. While these are some of the affirmations people want to use most, it’s important to remember the research I shared and that these may not work alone to correct toxic self-hating thoughts. Here are some examples of self-love affirmations:
I am at the top of my to-do list.
I am creating my life with love.
I am open to receiving lessons.
Affirmations for anxiety: With regular practice, affirmations can help some people reduce and relieve anxiety both long-term and in the moment. Triggering a different mindset can become a signal to the brain to break these patterns, especially when the affirmation is supported by other emotional work. Here are some examples of affirmations for anxiety:
I trust the process of life.
Everything always works out for me.
I do not have to prove myself to anyone.
Affirmations for confidence: Practicing affirmations for confidence is a great way to grow in the right direction when you have started growing self-esteem and want to nurture it. While every moment can present a challenge to interrupt confidence, with the right mindset those interruptions will only be temporary and not make a lasting impact Here are some examples of affirmations for confidence:
I make confident choices.
All I need is within me.
I am aware of my gift to the world and share it freely.
Affirmations for success: Affirming our success isn’t just about reminding ourselves we have potential, but also that it will lead to tangible, amazing results in our life. These affirmations inspire us to new heights of a lavish, abundant mindset and are powerful tools to create change. Here are some examples of affirmations for success:
I am courageous.
I am charismatic and magnetic.
I take action toward my dream each day.
Money affirmations: Manifesting money? Well, remember, affirmations aren’t magic. But practicing money affirmations helps you shift your mindset about money from an attitude of lacking and frustration to one of joy and abundance. This can open the door to better habits as well as increased wealth and new opportunities. Here are some examples of money affirmations:
I have an overflow of money.
My mind is a powerful magnet for wealth and abundance.
I have abundance in my savings.
Health affirmations: Affirmations for health can help support us in lifestyle changes and breaking bad habits. Eating healthy, working out, and even drinking enough water can all be supported by affirmations. Here are some examples of health affirmations:
I make healthy eating choices.
I eat vegetables each day.
My body is healthy.
Abundance affirmations: Abundance affirmations help us stay focused on the robust amazingness of our lives. When we operate from an energy of abundance, all the individual areas of our lives—work, relationships, finances, and health—can come into alignment. Here are some examples of abundance affirmations:
I am healthy, wealthy, and wise.
I am blessed.
I have a peaceful life.
What is the Difference Between an Affirmation and a Mantra?
Sometimes when we hear positive statements like these in the Western world, we might say “that’s my mantra.” But there is actually an important difference between affirmations and mantras.
Affirmations are positive, motivational statements that inspire us to actions and behaviors in our daily life.
Mantras are one or more syllables chanted during meditation to bring our mind into greater alignment with the universe. These are sacred sounds in the Yogic tradition. If you are interested in learning more about meditation, refer to my recent blog.
As you continue to explore the potential of affirmations to improve your life, it’s important to remember that everything we think is an affirmation of some kind. If you are saying kind things to yourself one moment, and unkind things the next, the unkind narrative is always going to win out. This is why practicing affirmations only works with regular, intentional practice, and sometimes other mental health nurturing and support.
Check out my30-Day Self Kindness course to gain more support, insight, and actionable steps on the journey to self-love.
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