There’s been quite a lot of buzz around affirmations over the past couple of years, and if you meditate or do yoga, you’re likely relatively familiar with the idea. If you’re new to them, though, affirmations can feel a little unusual, especially when you’re incorporating them into your life deliberately and often.
We wanted to demystify the idea of the affirmation, so we sat down with Astrid Kris, founder and full-time writer at AffirmationsOnly.com. Astrid has been writing affirmations for years, and before she struck out on her own, she was ghostwriting affirmations for well-known spiritual leaders, coaches, and professionals. Suffice to say, she knows her stuff.
COOP: What exactly are daily affirmations? What is their intended purpose?
ASTRID KRIS: An affirmation is a positive statement that activates your mind to change your life, one thought at a time. You repeat them every day, in the mirror, focusing on the areas that require improvement.
C: How do you perform them? Saying out loud? Writing them down? When should you do them?
AK: They are best done first thing in the morning. Here’s how to perform them: Say the affirmation out loud three times with confidence. While repeating your affirmations, visualize what you want. Feel the emotion you will experience once it manifests.
C: What are some good affirmations to start with?
AK: If you’re just getting started out, you can use short pre-written “I am” affirmations. Here are some examples:
- I am unstoppable.
- I am better than average.
- I am capable of overcoming all difficulties.
- I am experiencing increasing abundance.
- I am more than enough.
As you get more comfortable, you can begin to recite longer affirmations or even write your own!
C: What if I feel silly?
AK: Affirmations can be uncomfortable at first and you may feel silly, but the secret is consistently reciting them and taking action.
C: What if they’re not working for me?
AK: Action is key! Positive affirmations are only the first step towards change, not the change itself. They are not magic. They help your brain spot opportunities to help your intentions become reality. It’s up to you to follow the clues.
Astrid Kris is a full-time blogger and affirmation writer at AffirmationsOnly.com. She helps her readers use positive affirmations to improve their lives. Before starting her blog, Astrid ghost wrote thousands affirmations for well-known spiritual leaders, coaches, and professionals.
Featured image: @marquimode