During this process of shadow work and building foundations, one of the best prctices I’ve picked up has been affirmations. It started as an exercise to practice different ways to express myself artisticallt. Every morning, I took out a small card, wrote different random affirmations and practiced different art techniques on each card. Eventually, as I got deeper into reflecting and healing, I realized how tough I have been to myself for the past couple of years.
At first, it felt really silly to state them every morning. However, I eventually started to reframe my mindset on how ridiculous it is to ‘feel silly’ about speaking to myself with a tone of compassion and kindness.
Let me emphasize that:
It felt silly to talk to myself with compassion and kindness.
I thought quite a lot about why that was. Why are we so critical of ourselves? Why is it ‘quirky’ when people say they start their day by standing in front of a mirror and hype themselves up? We can easily compliment others and tell them how great they are doing but we never take the time to do the same thing for ourselves. We give friends a level of patience and love that we rely on other people to give to us. Heck no! It shouldn’t be that way.
Affirmations have been such a positive practice for me. Taking time each morning to be kind to myself and start the day in a positive and loving light has made a difference in how I interact with people. Getting over that initial state of ‘ooh this is gross’ is an important step towards healing.
Affirmations can be done in many different ways or formats, such as:
- Writing 1-3 affirmations down in a journal/index card every morning.
- Standing in front of a mirror and speaking to yourself kindly. Some even do it whilst naked, it’s your life.
- Make a playlist of songs that tells you how beautiful, kind, loving, any other positive traits or even how much of a badass you are and sing it wildly in your car. Or your room, the beach, in fornt of the mirror, anywhere you can simply flow and dance freely. (This one’s mine)
These 5 affirmations are particularly helpful during times of darkness and fear. Those days when the light is low and we may need an extra boost of encouragment to get through the day.
I give myself patience, kindness, understanding and compassion through my darkest times.
I know how difficult life can be and I am proud of myself for everything I’ve achieved.
I embrace the fact that the courage I need to overcome my fears comes from within me.
In times of darkness, I know that it is more difficult to recognize that I am loved. But deep down, I know there are people who care and I must choose to appreciate them.
I trust myself fully and I will not allow my fears or doubts hold me back.
ALVENTURED 
Great ideas!