Turn “Impossible” into “I’m possible”
“Sometimes things go terribly wrong – but learn from it. "You say impossible, but all I hear is 'I'm possible'” Ted Lasso
Whether you have watched the sports comedy-drama “Ted Lasso” or not, I'm confident you'll find inspiration in these words. Hope doesn’t mean avoiding failure or sadness, it's about persevering and trusting that things will improve as you do your best and remain patient.
If you want to cultivate hope and resilience in your life, positive affirmations can become your reliable anchor.
2-What are Positive Affirmations? And How They Work?
According to a 2020 study, we have at least 6,000 thoughts popping into our minds each day. Some, if not most of these thoughts, are negative ones. If you don’t deal properly with them, they can become catastrophic to your mental health. Embracing positive affirmations plays a crucial role. It involves more than just mindlessly repeating positive statements; but immersing yourself in a routine that regularly adopts positive thoughts while diluting self-sabotaging ones. Positive thinking and affirmations work magic together by rewiring our minds to become more flexible in unraveling negative thoughts and sustaining a positive mindset.
Let's explore how positive affirmations can enhance your mental well-being.
10 of Reasons Why Positive Affirmations is Essential for Your Mental Health
According to multiple trusted resources, positive affirmations can help us with the following:
Mitigating stress and anxiety.
Easing depression symptoms
Cultivating healthy habits, and getting rid of bad ones.
Becoming more productive.
Fostering your career or academic performance.
Processing negative emotions.
Bolstering our sense of worth and confidence.
Making the right decisions regarding our mental and physical health.
Boosting your openness to new challenges and taking calculated risks.
Enhancing your problem-solving skills.
Five Tips on How to Cultivate Positive Affirmations
Although genetics play a role in shaping a positive attitude, you still have the choice to decide whether you want to adopt a positive mindset. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to building a positive mindset, as it takes effort and time to find what works best. These tips are just some ideas that will guide you on your journey to building your positivity muscles. Let’s tackle them together:
Consider negative thoughts as warning signs, and not as ultimate truths.
Learning how to harness unfavored patterns of thinking is beneficial to us. Negative thoughts aren’t bad, they help us navigate the risks of each opportunity we have so that we can prepare for worst-case scenarios. They also manage our expectations, and motivate us to do our best. The problem lies in our tendency to approach negative thoughts irrationally.
For instance, you have doubts about an upcoming job interview. The irrational thought may be that you are not worthy or deserving of the position. However, these doubts serve to motivate you to adequately prepare for the interview and approach it with seriousness. When faced with such doubts, write down what lessons they are trying to teach you and cross-compare them with the irrational thoughts you are encountering. This process can provide a clearer understanding of how to keep things in perspective.
Practice positive affirmation mindfulness sessions.
Mindfulness is a good and practical way to develop a positive mindset, not to mention its significance for your overall well-being. It will guide you into a state of serenity and thoughtfulness to fully experience the beautiful emotions associated with these affirmations. You can start with simple mindfulness exercises through meditation.
Craft positive affirmation statements and write them down.
Come up with uplifting statements that pique your interest and note them down on paper or your phone to keep them top of mind. You can also change them every once in a while to escape monotony.
Support your positive statements with evidence-driven experience
Keep track of your best personal and professional qualities, even if you think they aren’t much.
The more you think these statements are true, the more you’re inclined to believe in yourself and embrace them.
One way you can find evidence-based affirmations is to ask someone close to you about situations in which you revealed remarkable diligence. It could be something like standing up for someone or performing meaningful actions. Seeking a trusted opinion can significantly enhance your confidence in these affirmations.
Repeat those statements mindfully and reflect on how they make you feel.
Assign a time when you can be fully attentive to these affirmations, so you can reflect on the positive emotions they bring you. These emotions might take time to emerge, that’s why consistent practice is crucial if you want to truly benefit from these affirmations.
Examples of Realistically Positive Affirmations
These are some examples of positive affirmations. They don’t necessarily have to work for you, but they can give you a glimpse of how you can craft your realistic affirmations:
I did it before, I can do it again.
It’s gonna be a long haul, but I will get there and it's gonna be worth the effort.
I’m accountable for trying my best, not for the outcome.
I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, that’s why I need to value the present moment and live it to the fullest.
Even if I fail, I will learn.
I will remain happy and fulfilled, even if things don’t turn out how I wanted.
I’m worthy of love and respect despite my flaws.
Let’s Recap: It’s Time to Value Yourself No Matter What.
Below are the three main takeaways that you should keep in mind:
If you feel that negative thoughts are affecting your daily life or overall well-being, seek medical assistance without delay.
Keep brainstorming new ways to adopt positive affirmations til you find what works best for you.
Unearth your purpose to maintain a positive outlook in life.
“Wholehearted living is about engaging with our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, ‘No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.’” -Brene Brown Last but not least, this amazing quote from Professor Brene Brown reminds you to appreciate yourself and not take it for granted. Remember, small steps are the key to success!
