From vision boards to journals, affirmations supposedly help us manifest our desires.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Atomic Habits, You Are a Badass, and 10 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think, are among the top self-help books contributing to the current trend of personal growth and empowerment through the practice of affirmations.
Affirmations are a self-improvement strategy that aims to enhance self-confidence and faith in one’s abilities. A simple statement like “I believe in myself” aims to shift one’s focus away from negativity and boost motivation and self-esteem.
However, affirmations don’t work for everyone. For some, engaging in affirmations may result in a sense of failure and decline in emotional well-being.
Affirmations may fail because they seem like lies, and sometimes that’s exactly what they are. A crucial aspect of affirmations is expressing them in the present tense, as though they have already manifested in your life.
In a world that constantly pushes for self-improvement, individuals turn to affirmations and self-help books to seek validation and praise. Affirmations are viewed as the latest bandwagon to jump on.
Though affirmations aren’t always effective, their positive effects are supported by psychological theory.
Self-affirmation theory—an important psychological theory—encompasses three core principles in keeping one’s sense of self-integrity by affirming ourselves and our beliefs in positive ways.
Self-affirmation enables us to foster a flexible self-identity that is moral and capable of adapting to various situations. This flexibility allows us to embrace diverse identities, roles, interpretations of success, and perceive different aspects of ourselves positively.
The theory argues maintaining self-identity isn’t about perfectionism but entails being adept in areas we personally value and prioritize, and self-integrity is upheld by engaging in behaviours that are consistent with personal values.
The self-affirmation theory has led to neuroscientific research into whether affirmations change brain activity. MRI evidence indicates certain neural pathways are strengthened when you practice positive self-affirmations, amplifying habits of positive thinking and feeling within your brain.
Affirmations foster positivity and personal growth by decreasing stress, building resilience amidst difficulties, recognizing and addressing negative thought patterns, and encouraging positive self-talk. They don’t have instant success. Their efficacy requires proper application and regular practice for long-term and impactful changes.
Get into the habit of reciting affirmations upon waking up or before getting into bed, focus intently on the words of your affirmations and believe them to be true, enlist someone to repeat your affirmations to help reinforce your belief, and make affirmations a part of your daily routine. Above all, be patient, as it will take time before you notice changes.
Action is also key. An affirmation like “I need to slow down and relax” might guide you to healthy practices such as taking breaks while working or going on a walk to de-stress. Taking initiative and keeping accountability is crucial.
An affirmation that aligns with your core values can help you remain focused on what is significant to you. You can create your own affirmation to ensure it will benefit you.
If affirmations work for you, that’s great, but don’t be discouraged if you find they don’t. Everyone’s pursuit of self-help takes a different route. What matters is finding alternatives to match your individual needs and values.
Tags
Affirmations, self help, self improvement
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