When I was a teenager, I would always hear my mother saying. “What you put out in the Universe (your thoughts, words or feelings) will come back to you.” I used to think Universe this, Universe that. Blah. Blah.

Little did I know, she was on to something.

When I faced difficult times and I’d talk with my friends, they’d always point out how I always had something positive to say while they were in a moment of wallowing. I didn’t know it then, but I was speaking affirmations over my friends and myself in difficult times. And while it didn’t chance the circumstances immediately, it certainly change the outlook. Sometimes, a better outlook is all you need to begin making changes in your life. That’s where affirmations come in.

The idea behind using affirmations is based on the belief that our thoughts and words have the power to shape our reality and influence our actions. By consistently affirming positive statements, we can reprogram our subconscious mind and create a more positive mindset. Affirmations can help in various areas of life, including self-esteem, confidence, success, relationships, health, and overall well-being.

How and why you should use affirmations:

1. Positive mindset: Affirmations help cultivate a positive mindset by replacing negative or limiting beliefs with positive ones. They can shift your focus from self-doubt and criticism to self-empowerment and optimism.
2. Self-improvement: support personal growth and development by helping you adopt new habits, beliefs, and behaviors that align with your goals.
3. Increased self-confidence: affirming your positive qualities and abilities can boost your self-confidence and develop a stronger belief in your capabilities.
4. Overcoming obstacles: Affirmations can provide motivation and resilience when facing challenges or setbacks. They can help you stay focused, determined, and optimistic, even in difficult times.
5. Law of attraction: this suggests that positive thoughts, visualizations and intentions can attract positive outcomes into your life.

To make affirmations more effective:

• Use the present tense: Phrase your affirmations as if what you desire has already been achieved, reinforcing the belief that it is already happening.
• Be specific and clear: Clearly define what you want to attract or change which will make your affirmations focused and meaningful.
• Repeat regularly: Consistency is key. Repeat your affirmations daily, ideally multiple times a day, to reinforce positive thinking patterns and beliefs.
• Counter negative thinking: Negative thoughts can and will creep in when you face difficult moments. Repeating affirmations to ward of the negative thinking helps to turn negative thoughts into positive ones.

While affirmations can be a powerful tool, they work best when combined with action and a proactive mindset. They are not a magical solution but rather a supportive practice to help shape your thoughts and attitudes towards a more positive and fulfilling life.