How to Write Affirmations? [Tips, Types, and More]
Last Updated: February 2, 2023
Words have power. They are the greatest communication tool that humanity has and serve as the very basis for human connection. And if words can cut like a knife, can thoughts do the same?
It only makes sense, given that words are essentially thoughts translated into a language. Many believe that they can be used to manifest ideas into reality. This is the very definition of affirmations. And to reap the benefits, you’ll first have to learn how to write affirmations.
This article will explore affirmations in detail, including what they are, the types of positive affirmations, how to write them, and whether they actually work.
What Are Affirmations?
Affirmations are simple but powerful expressions that are central to the concept of the law of attraction. This “law” basically asserts that our life is our own creation. Almost all religions discuss this concept in one form or another.
It is believed that affirmations, if done correctly, can shift your mindset or change how you see the world, but they’re not magic bullets for instant success or healing.
What Are Positive Affirmations?
Did you know that roughly 80% of the thoughts that go through our minds are negative? Positive affirmations are positive statements or phrases meant to counteract these unhelpful thoughts.
Specifically, they should help shift your focus away from perceived failures and insecurities and direct it toward your strengths, including those you already have and the ones you want to develop.
It’s easy to understand how positive affirmations work. Basically, you take a self-empowering thought, make a concise phrase or sentence to capture its meaning, and repeat it.
Bear in mind that it needs to be realistic, close to your current situation, and you have to believe in it. Here are some examples:
- “I enjoy and am appreciated for the work that I do.”
- “I respond to stressful situations with calm and wisdom.”
- “I am convincing and successful in my business pitch.”
How to Write Affirmations?
There are a few sets of rules to follow to learn how to write positive affirmations regardless of whether you want to get rid of negative thoughts or have specific goals in mind.
First, it’s important to understand that the effectiveness of daily affirmations largely depends on their attainability. For example, it’s unrealistic and difficult to believe in an affirmation that says you can eat as much as you want to without gaining any weight.
Second, a little structure can’t hurt. You can try making a list of the goals and dreams you want to turn into reality with affirmations before you write them. Remember that daily affirmations are believed to have a higher success rate, so it’s better to take your time to understand how to write affirmations that work than rush through the process.
Third, the affirmation has to have a positive tone, so avoid using words like “do not.” Rather than writing: “I don’t emotionally eat,” try “I am free from the temptation to emotionally eat.”
Finally, write your affirmations in the present tense even if it’s for something you want to see in the future. It’s also crucial to write them in the first person because they need to resonate with you. Also, your affirmations don’t all have to be about things that you want. You can try to affirm something you already have.
How to Write Love Affirmations That Work?
Most love affirmations that work aim to eliminate negative thoughts and manifest higher vibrations. They should be empowering mantras that make you feel happy and grateful.
Your daily dose of self-love can address low self-esteem and self-doubt, in addition to relationships with loved ones and your love life.
Here are some examples of well-written affirmations:
- “I deserve love and affection”.
- “I love myself and am open to love”.
- “I love to give and receive love”.
- “I feel loved, cherished, and secure in my relationship”.
- “I feel free to be myself in my relationship”.
- “I respect and appreciate my partner”.
- “I feel comfortable expressing my feelings and needs to my partner”.
- “My partner and I communicate well with each other”.
- “I feel eternally grateful to have my partner in my life”.
Another helpful thing to combine with affirmations is getting opinions from online psychics, to make sure you’re at the right time in your life to manifest your goals.
How to Write Wealth Affirmations That Work?
Wouldn’t it be great if you could earn money without putting in any effort?
Money affirmations that really work are more about financial opportunities and less about actual dollar bills piling up in your bank account. If you’re unemployed or are looking for an extra source of income, try searching through some of the best job search sites online instead of relying solely on affirmations.
The key to writing a good wealth affirmation is to have a certain goal in mind and a genuine belief that you can reach it.
Here are some examples:
- “I experience wealth as a key part of my life”.
- “Today I commit to living my financial dreams”.
- “I am always discovering new sources of income”.
- “Money comes my way in both expected and unexpected ways”.
- “I want more money. And that’s okay”.
- “It’s easy and natural for me to be prosperous and successful”.
- “I deserve to make more money”.
How to Write Weight Loss Affirmations That Work?
Weight loss affirmations that work should break the mental barrier that prevents you from taking action.
There are no magic pills for weight loss. You probably won’t see the numbers on the scale going down unless you actually do some work. If you’re unsure about what to do, you can seek help from a professional trainer or a nutritionist.
On a positive note, weight loss affirmations can help you through the process and motivate you to work on your goal.
Here are some examples:
- “I am willing to release weight now”.
- “I deserve and accept perfect health now”.
- “I love myself”.
- “I am healthy”.
- “I love and accept my body as I release any extra weight for my greater health and happiness”.
- “I am able to release weight easily”.
- “I am listening to what my body needs”.
- “I am gentle and forgiving with myself and others”.
How to Write Affirmations for Others?
There are two ways to use the art of affirmations to help others. The first approach is direct and involves telling the person positive and uplifting words in person. The second includes learning how to write very effective affirmations that promote positivity, mindfulness, and gratitude.
You can then either pick up the phone and repeat some of them to your friends and loved ones or send them these messages via social media, for example.
They can be statements of encouragement that would let your loved one know how much they mean to you or simply statements that are good to hear. Sometimes, these daily affirmations might lift up their spirits or help them through a process of recovery.
Here are some examples of how to write the best affirmations for other people:
- “You are capable of achieving anything”.
- “You are getting better every day”.
- “You are inspiring”.
- “You are worth it”.
- “You are strong enough to get through this”.
- “I believe in you”.
- “Today is going to be a good day”.
- “You are loved and appreciated”.
- “You are stronger than your temptation”.
- “I’m proud of you”.
If a friend is in some kind of trouble that affirmations can’t fix, it’s better to seek advice from a professional. You can check out some of the best online therapy options here.
Why Affirmations Are So Powerful
Here’s why affirmations work for some people.
Think of any habit. How did it become a habit? Probably through repetition. This is believed to be the secret to affirmations’ success.
When these messages are repeated over and over again, they can start to change your thinking process and consequently, alter your outlook on life. With constant repetition, the mind gets programmed to focus on the positive things and will start believing in the stated concepts.
What Is the Best Time for Doing Affirmations?
Once you learn how to write affirmations, you’ll probably want to maximize their efficiency. Daily affirmations can be much more effective if they are done and practiced at the right time of the day.
The ideal time to do affirmations is when the mind is most alert. During the day, the mind soaks up a good amount of information and eventually becomes tired. This is why many believe that the best time to practice affirmations is in the morning, right after waking up.
Another good time is in the evening, before going to bed, when you’re completely relaxed and there are less outside noises that can distract you from the process. Plus, saying or thinking positive things is a great way to end the day!
How to Do Affirmations the Right Way?
You’ll probably hear countless people claiming that the art of affirmations has helped them improve their lives or made their life-long wishes come true. But, there are also those who say this method did not really work for them.
So, why do positive affirmations work for some people while others see no results?
Just like there are positive affirmations, there are also negative affirmations. These are pessimistic and obstructive thoughts that we’ve been thinking to ourselves for years and convinced the unconscious mind that they are true.
If the negative thought is deeply rooted in our mind, then it’ll be challenging for a positive one to override it. But, not entirely impossible.
To give more power to the positive affirmation, you’ll likely have to first confront the negative thinking patterns you’ve developed.
- Make a list of what you think are your negative qualities
- Counter every negative one with a positive quality
- Repeat the positive thoughts daily
It’s important not to rush the process. There are no affirmations that work quickly.
Another point to consider is your surroundings. Choose a place with minimum distractions, clear your mind, and say your affirmations out loud. You can say them in front of a mirror, write them down, or repeat them inside your head.
You can also try sending subliminal messages to your subconscious mind. Such subliminal affirmations are usually played at a high frequency in the form of an audio in the background of your meditation music.
Is There Scientific Proof That Affirmations Work?
Yes and no, depending on what kind of evidence you’re looking for. There’s no hard, undeniable scientific proof that affirmations work.
But, there is MRI evidence that explains how the process affects the brain. One research that involved brain scans showed that certain neural pathways are more active when people conduct affirmation tasks. In other words, areas in the brain dedicated to processing rewards, positive values, and self-worth lit up in participants that were practicing affirmation.
Another study, titled “Positive Self-Statements: Power for Some, Peril for Others” found that the effectiveness of daily affirmations is tied with a person’s self-esteem. The researchers said that participants who had a higher self-confidence saw better results. A third study concluded that affirmations had no effect when the participants tried to convince themselves in something they did not believe about themselves.
Most studies on the subject suggest that repeating positive messages can make a difference but there is no absolute proof that positive affirmations work.
Benefits of Writing Affirmations?
The law of attraction dictates that using affirmations daily can have a subtle and profound effect on the subconscious mind that can help you live the life of your dreams.
Here are some of the benefits of the daily use of positive affirmations. They:
- Motivate you to act. When you repeat a goal every day, you’re more likely to take action to fulfill it.
- Help you stay focused because affirmations make it nearly impossible to forget what you want to change (or keep) in your life.
- Dismantle the negative thought patterns and create positive vibrations.
- Boost your self-esteem and help you feel positive about yourself and your abilities.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a skeptic or hoping to change your life for the better, it’s good to know how to do affirmations. They’re easy to write, take very little time to practice, and can be used for practically anything, no matter whether it’s improving your mental health, boosting your finances, or shedding extra pounds.
The one thing that’s absolutely essential, although it sounds cliché, is to believe in yourself.
FAQ
There are no rules about the number of affirmations you can practice at any given time. It’s usually recommended that you stick to 3-5 affirmations, since it’s easier to focus on them.
The art of affirmation is not an exact science. Whether affirmations will work or not and how long it could take largely depends on the person and various other factors related to the affirmation in question.
Learn how to write affirmations, make sure they resonate with you, and repeat them every day.
Daily affirmations are positive thoughts that declare specific goals and can be used to encourage and motivate yourself or others.