Dear Margot: How to practice affirmations for beginners?

“Dear Margot, how to practice affirmations for beginners?”

Dear Reader, practicing affirmations can be very helpful for your mind, and keeping a positive mindset, but it is often easier said than done. Affirmations are simple phrases you repeat to yourself to build a positive mindset. They can also help lower stress levels, reinforce your personal values, and build confidence. Affirmations are important for adolescents, young adults, or anyone seeking to build a healthier mindset.

But where do you even begin? You can start by searching for simple, foundational phrases to repeat to yourself, such as “I am able to achieve my goals,” “I love and accept myself just as I am,” or “I can take care of my mind and body every day.” These are simple phrases you can write down and repeat daily. You can also create more specific ones for yourself as well. For examples, you can say, “I will study hard and ace my tests,” or “I will do amazing at my performance!” Any simple, positive phrase can be used to affirm a better mindset for yourself. I also recommend writing them down somewhere you can see them every day. Maybe having a poster on the wall, or even just a small sticky note on your laptop or folder you use daily. It is important that you see and repeat these words consistently to engrave it in your head. By repeating these simple phrases, it will integrate itself into your subconsciousness, and soon you’ll start believing them more and more over time. You can also use hand gestures to go with your affirmations so way your mind has a physical action to pair with it to help your memory. 

Another important component of using affirmations is consistency. It is normal if you are not saying them constantly, but at least once or twice a day will be effective. As long as you remember them, believe in them, and recongize you are enough, it will have a strong impact. You have always been enough, and you will always be enough. You are your most important advocate at the end of the day, and even a simple string of words can go a long way.

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