Affirmations
What is an affirmation?
An affirmation is a statement you say to yourself repeatedly. They are normally said because you don’t believe the statement you are saying, and you want to change the belief. Or you believe the statement but want to strengthen the belief.
Why should I say affirmations?
You have up to 60k thoughts per day of which almost 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive. Affirmations act as a way of breaking your thought patterns from negative and repetitive to positive and repetitive.
Do affirmations really work?
Affirmations really work. We now have the science to prove it. Thanks to neuroplasticity we now know that the brain can reorganise itself. Our brains are shaped by our thoughts and emotions and what we focus on becomes stronger due to the strengthening of the neural pathways within our brains. Neuroplasticity is like the muscle of the brain that we can work on through repetition. When we think, feel, or behave in a certain way often enough it becomes hardwired in our brains. This is how we can form new healthy habits.
How do affirmations work?
You say whatever the affirmation is that you want to say and you say it repeatedly. Nothing will change for a while because your old belief system is still in place. But by saying it constantly you are reprogramming your mind with these words. These words are like subtle thoughts and these thoughts act on your feelings. Your feelings then act on your belief system. Repetition is the key to their success.
Read my blog post ‘Affirmations will change your life for the better’ for a detailed view on the science behind affirmations.
Can I say them for anything I want?
Yes, say them for anything, but be true to yourself about what you are saying. The old saying “be careful what you wish for” is very true. Don’t say an affirmation to attract one particular man in your life! Say it to attract the right man into your life!!
How long do affirmations take to work?
Think about how many years it took you to think, feel, and act a certain way. Probably a lifetime right? Well, you are in luck! Affirmations don’t take that long to work but be realistic about them too. I’d say dedicate a few minutes every day to saying your affirmation and after two or three months you’ll notice a big difference.
Do you need to believe what you are saying?
I’ve read a few times that in order for affirmations to work you need to believe them. But if you believed what you are saying, you wouldn’t be saying it in the first place! You are saying affirmations because you don’t believe something to be true. In fact, you’re saying them because the thing you are saying them for is a struggle for you. Yes, you can say affirmations for anything. Even for things you want to attract or for beliefs that you just want to strengthen but the juiciness of an affirmation comes from something you really don’t believe but if it came through your life would change exponentially.
Is there anything I need to watch out for while doing affirmations?
Yes, these four crucial things:
- Your core beliefs
- Doing the opposite of your affirmations,
- Relying solely on affirmations
- Missing the subtlety.
Don’t stuff an affirmation on top of a negative core belief. Pull that core belief apart and then do your affirmation. Don’t stand in your power doing an affirmation then walk off and do the opposite of it, become more mindful of you actions!
Affirmations are great but they’re not the only way to loosen up that stuck energy and get the juices flowing. You are an energy being, find what stimulates you and makes you feel good. And whatever you do, don’t miss the subtlety! In other words, don’t complain and say this isn’t working because you’ve missed the first shifts of energy towards the positive. Keep your eyes and your mind open!