10 Affirmations for a Simpler Life

Do you use affirmations? I’ve recently started using affirmations to change some negative self-talk that keeps creeping back into my day. You know, like when you see your cluttered closet and immediately think, “I’ll never be able to keep my closet organized.” Or when you look at the clock, realizing it’s dinner time and you have hungry kids and no plan, and your first thought is, “I’m terrible at this whole mothering thing.” (Or is that one just me?)

What is an affirmation?

So what is an affirmation? Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome negative thoughts that can lead to self-sabotage and lower self-esteem. When you repeat new, positive affirmations often, you start to believe in them, and then you can start to make positive changes.

You might consider affirmations to be unrealistic or just “wishful thinking.” But that’s not how the mind works. If you think it, feel it, and believe it, your brain will create new neural pathways to support your positive thoughts, effectively replacing your negative self-chatter with positive. It’s like this: people do repetitive exercises to improve physical health, to build strength and tone muscles. Affirmations are the mental equivalent of those exercises — you’re improving your mental health and toning your brain’s daily outlook through repetition. You’re reprograming your thinking patterns so that, over time, you will begin to think and act differently.

How do I use affirmations?

Affirmations work particularly well when paired with visualization exercises and goal setting. Write your affirmation down on sticky notes and put them in places you’ll see them every day — the bathroom mirror, the fridge door, your planner. Make a little wallpaper for your phone with your affirmation so you see it every time you pick up your phone or set up a pop-up notification on your phone to remind you to repeat it several times a day. Pair your affirmation with your goals in your daily planner — your positive affirmation statements can help you keep yourself motivated to achieve those goals. Whenever negative self-chatter takes over your thoughts, redirect yourself by repeating your affirmation.

I’ve put together 10 simple affirmations for you to try. Pick one that resonates with you, with what you want to accomplish, and try repeating it to yourself daily.