What are positive affirmations?
Positive affirmations are short statements that can be used to help you to positively change your beliefs about yourself, or a situation that you find yourself in.
Affirmation means to confirm, and also means emotional support or encouragement. So when you say affirmations to yourself, you’re providing yourself with some much-needed support and encouragement.
A positive attitude is not a guarantee of success, but a negative attitude will come close to a guarantee of failure.
Isn’t it just wishful thinking?
Its important to note that positive affirmations are not just wishful thinking! They allow the brain to reform and reorganise synaptic connections (neuroplasticity), when you change your thoughts of doubt and fear to thoughts of confidence and action.
How do I use affirmations?
People like to use affirmations in different ways. You might like to say affirmations when you first wake or before you go to sleep. You might like to write them in a daily journal at the start and end of each entry. You might like to put them on a bracelet or necklace to use as a reminder whenever you need it.
Some people choose one affirmation that resonates with them, where others like to have many – perhaps you could write them on small pieces of paper, fold them and put then in a bowl, to pick out when you need it.
How often do I use affirmations?
As a rule of thumb, affirmations should be repeated at least once per day for at least 5 minutes, but not more than 15 minutes. This makes it easy for you to fit them in wherever suits you.
Where can I find some examples of affirmations to use?
However you prefer to use them, positive affirmations can be a valuable part of your recovery journey. We have gathered 100 positive affirmations below for you to use.
You can also download our affirmation card sets free of charge:
- 30 Resilience Affirmations
- 30 Mindful Eating Affirmations – Blue
- 111 Holistic Recovery Affirmations Your Path to Renewal
25 Affirmations for Confidence and Self-Esteem
- I am fearless
- My strength is greater than any struggle
- I am who I want to be
- I have the power to change my story
- I have discovered I am fierce
- Happiness is within my grasp
- I am brave enough to climb any mountain
- I am good enough
- I am fearless
- There is nobody better to get the job done than me
- I choose what I become
- I have the courage to say ‘no’
- I am getting stronger every day
- The success of others will not make me jealous, my time will come
- Nobody can make me feel inferior
- The only person who can defeat me is myself
- I know my worth
- I am confident in the presence of others
- It’s nobody else’s job to like me – it’s mine
- The tools I need to succeed are already in my possession
- I am in awe of what I am capable of
- I am a winner
- I was not made to give up
- Everything will work out for me
- I believe in my skills and abilities
25 Affirmations for Self-Love
- I choose hope over fear
- I acknowledge my own self-worth
- I am proud of myself
- It’s fine for me to make mistakes, I will adapt
- I choose to be happy
- I matter
- I am at peace with who I am
- I am on the best path for me
- I deserve love, compassion and empathy
- I choose to completely love myself today
- Positivity is a choice that I choose to make
- I choose not to take it personally
- I do not need other people for happiness
- I acknowledge and welcome praise
- I am making healthy decisions
- I am a good person who deserves good things
- I am successful
- I approve of who I am and that is enough
- My commitment to myself is real
- My opinion matters
- I know what I am doing
- I believe in myself
- I am loved and I am wanted
- I am a beautiful person
- I am a diamond, it is time for me to shine
25 Affirmations for Setting Goals
- I can easily create a life I love
- I am making positive choices
- I am ready, willing and able to achieve my goals
- I desire to learn new things
- I know my own truth
- I am capable of more than I realise
- My priorities are clear
- Where others see a challenge, I see new opportunities
- I am focused, persistent and will never quit
- I am a do-er, I will get things accomplished
- I am constantly improving
- There is no limit to what I can achieve
- I confidently and fearlessly believe in myself
- I can rely upon myself
- I will accept nothing but the best
- I can do anything I sent my mind to
- My life was made for joy
- I take responsibility for my actions
- I am committed to becoming the person I want to be
- I will achieve my goals
- I will search for the good, even in bad situations
- I am passionate about the dreams that light up my heart
- I am not dependent on anyone else
- Success is in my future
- I set clear goals and work towards them every day
25 Positive Affirmations for Anxiety
- I have done this before and I can do it again
- This too shall pass
- Look at me go, I can do it all!
- I am enough
- This feeling is only temporary
- I love and am loved
- I am strong
- I am here, I am now, and I am well
- As I breathe, I am calm and relaxed
- My fear diminishes as I live my life with courage
- I have survived anxiety before, and I will survive it now
- I am brave
- I have time to prepare and decide
- I will let go and focus on joy
- I release the past and embrace the present
- I love myself unconditionally
- I can handle whatever comes my way
- I trust myself
- I enjoy being surrounded by others
- I inhale peace and exhale worry
- I am capable
- I will take things one day at a time
- I am safe and in control
- Challenges bring me better opportunities
- I am calm, patient and in control of my emotions