A few years ago, I finally found an affirmation which worked for me. 

I’d been trying different affirmations and they didn’t quite resonate; it felt similar to putting on a pair of shoes which were too tight and squished all my toes together. The affirmations seemed like empty words, with no real meaning or significance and at other times, I felt like I was just outright lying to myself! 

However, after I received a frighteningly expensive bill for my car service (a few weeks after I’d quit my job to pursue my business full time!), I was feeling anxious and my thoughts started running a million miles an hour. 

I decided to get out of the house, so I put on my sneakers and started to walk. At first, all I could think about was money. Should I sell my car? Could I afford such a huge chunk out of my savings at a financially uncertain time? Would I be able to pay rent next month? Should I go back to my job and put my business aside for a while? Had I made a huge mistake? 

Then, I released that it all boiled down to the fact that I simply didn’t feel safe. I’d taken a risk in leaving my job and pursuing my dreams and my future wasn’t clear. But I did have support around me, I had enough money to pay the bill, I would find a way to earn money and it would be OK. 

I started to reassure myself that I was safe and I released that I wasn’t alone. There were people in my life who loved and supported me and it made me feel even safer. 

The words “I am safe, I am loved, I am supported” dropped into my mind and stayed there for the rest of the walk. By the time I arrived home, I felt much clearer and less worried about the money. The affirmations had really reminded me of what was important and I felt more trusting in my journey forwards. 

So, let’s take a closer look at affirmations, including what they are, how to formulate your own personal affirmation, how to use an affirmation during meditation and how to incorporate them into your everyday life.

Affirmations

Affirmation Meditation is the practice of positive thinking and self-empowerment. An affirmation is anything repeated out loud or in thoughts which register in our subconscious mind. Effective affirmations are positive, personal, specific, and in the present tense.The aim is for thoughts to consume our awareness to manifests goals or changes in behavior.

What are Affirmations?

Everything that we repeatedly say to ourselves out loud or in our thoughts are an affirmation. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a part of our brain that makes words that get repeated over time as part of our identity, positive or negative. Just like sowing seeds in a fruitful garden. When we water and nurture the seeds every day, they will grow (most of them). That´s like repeating an affirmation. If you have a tomato plant seed…you plant that seed…water it (focus)…can you expect to get apples? No of course not. You expect to get tomatoes. That´s how our subconscious mind works. It doesn´t care if you want the seeds you plant to grow. As long as you water and nurture them (affirm repeatedly), they will grow.

The Subconscious Mind

Our subconscious mind is the deep part of us that takes in 40 million bits of information every second, after a filtering process in the brain we only perceive 5 – 9 bits per second. These 5 – 9 bits per second is our perception of reality. In the subconscious lies all of our past experiences, like a computer logging every millisecond.When you look at the surface of the sea, you only see what your eyes can perceive, while the sea can go thousands of meters in depth. You can´t see that, but it´s still there, it´s still a part of reality. Like the conscious mind (surface) and the subconscious mind (beneath the surface). The conscious mind is the logical, analytical part of us, while the subconscious mind is completely illogical.

Why it´s important to state the affirmations in positive and present tense

Our subconscious mind doesn´t know the difference between past and future; all is here and now. It doesn´t know the difference between yes or no. It just reacts as if its truth (RAS). That is why it is so important to state the affirmation positive and as they are true right now.

“I am healthy and energetic” is stated in the positive, here and now. It gets received as a command that your subconscious mind reacts to as an obedient, loyal servant.

“I want to be healthy and energetic” will make your subconscious ask “when”? Do you want to be healthy and energetic within a couple of minutes? Hours? Days? Years? When? It just isn´t specific enough for the subconscious to react upon.

To state I am, you say it as it is true right now, and if you repeat it or listen to affirmations as part of a daily ritual – your brain will work its ass off to make this become true.

Do you need to believe in the affirmations?

No, you don´t need to believe 100% in them, but if you don´t believe in them at all while listening to audios, then we would recommend you to discard them, just let them flow by. Your subconscious mind will register them. We believe that the affirmations we use in our audios are positive and empowering in every aspect and will have a positive impact on the listener. However, we also understand that affirmations can trigger resistance even though they are positive.

Do they need to be true in my life right now?

No, the affirmations you listen to or consciously repeat to yourself don´t need to be true. Many athletes, entrepreneurs, and other people who know the power of affirmations use them as part of their ritual to manifest goals – BEFORE they have manifested in the physical reality. That´s the genius thing about affirmations – they become true. That´s why it is so important to become the master of your thoughts.

Examples of Affirmations

I am stupid
I am forgetful
I am unimportant
I am Peaceful
I am insignificant
I am lucky
I am joyful
I am grateful
I am so sick and tired of….
I am tired of being sick.
I am angry
I am bitter
I am satisfied
I am creative
I am loving and compassionate
I am tolerant
I am patience
I am happy
I am satisfied
I am happy
I am lovable
I am smart
I am friendly
I am valuable
I am at peace
I am good enough
I am healthy
I am interesting
I am worthy
I am creative
I am generous
I am free
I am safe
I am the Universe
I am one with creation
I am a master creator
I am creating my life with my thoughts

What if some affirmations make me feel uncomfortable?

That can be that a part of you are resisting the affirmation. Maybe it´s out of your comfort zone, even if it´s positive. Another reason can that the affirmation itself can make you feel uncomfortable – that is not a bad thing. The affirmation “I love and accept myself” can surely bring emotions of resistance to the surface if the person does not believe in this affirmation. You know what? That is ok. Just let them flow by. Affirmations mixed with brainwave music, solfeggios or binaural beats is a powerful healing combination, and when the mind and body connection starts to heal, that can also stir up emotions. It is entirely natural and safe. It is a normal part of growing and developing personally and spiritually.