What is the meaning crisis? with John Vervaeke
April 24, 2019
Creating Effective Positive Affirmations
If you’re like most people, you have a little voice in your head. And if you’re like most people, that little voice can be pretty negative at times.
Positive affirmations can help us counteract negative thoughts, beliefs, and habits. We can use affirmations to empower ourselves by creating a more positive mental space. Here are a few of the most important points to keep in mind when creating positive affirmations:
- Transform negative thoughts into positive statements
- Don't use negative words like "no," "not," "don't," "can't," "won't"
- Avoid negative words that implicate sickness or failure
- Keep it short, in the present tense, and achievable
For example:
- I am not anxious.
- I feel calm and at peace.
The first statement uses two negative words: “not” and “anxious.” While the intent is good, the mind can latch onto the negative nuance of “not” and the idea of being anxious. The second statement replaces the negatives with positives – the mind latching onto calm and peace is all good, in our book!
Remember, affirmations aren’t a magic bullet. The negative thoughts, beliefs, or habits that you are attempting to counteract may have deep roots, so it can take time for affirmations to work. Reflect on your affirmations and repeat them often, either silently or aloud. You can also share them in the #affirmations channel on Discord.
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