I am worthy, I am enough – these words have been my anchors for a good while now and though it might not be the first time you’ve read them, thinking and speaking these positive words have been instrumental in building my self-worth. Whenever I think back on my journey and how far I’ve come I’m still awed by the impact working on my self-worth has had on the woman I’ve become.
So, you might ask what positive thinking has to do with self-worth. Well, a strong sense of self is the foundation for a healthy relationship with ourselves and others. Self-worth is that inner sense of being good enough and deserving of love and respect from yourself and others. Have you ever wondered if your view of yourself truly matters? It does, and it significantly influences every aspect of your life, from the decisions you make to the relationships you cultivate.
Yes, the relationships we keep and tolerate have a lot to say about how we view and treat ourselves. The next time you experience someone talking rudely about you or to you, reflect on how you normally talk to and about yourself. Do you tend to make inappropriate jokes and comments about yourself in the midst of others? If so, notice how they also would talk to you.
When you have a good sense of worth you value and accept the person you are flaws and all, you set the boundary for what can be said to and about you in your presence. Now, this isn’t just about having high self-esteem; it’s also about recognizing your inherent value as a person. I’ve always been the type that would never insult myself either in my inner conversations or amid others but I normally find myself surrounded by people who say mean things about themselves.
Not because I am perfect but because I know the power of words, especially those I utter to myself, I know I already have a lot of external critics so why do I need to be one to myself as well, and I know that if I can’t say anything nice about myself I shouldn’t expect anyone to say anything nice about me or to me. In the space of positive psychology, several studies indicate how a positive perception of oneself is a key player in leading a fulfilling and mentally healthy life.
Thinking positively about oneself can be a challenge when the world around us presents us with certain standards the majority of people can’t attain however, it takes a decision and determination to want to rise above and be your unique self. I started my journey in embracing who I truly am by speaking positive affirmations to myself.
If thinking positively about yourself isn’t second nature to you then, my question to you today is: are you ready to enhance your self-worth through the power of positive thinking? In this article, we’ll explore that very strategy and by the time you’re done reading, I really hope that you’ll not only understand the importance of affirmations on nurturing your self-worth but also be equipped to take your first steps toward embracing it.
Understanding the Power of Self-Affirmations
You’ve probably heard the term “self-affirmation” or “auto-suggestion” before and might even have tried your hand at it but stopped when you weren’t seeing or experiencing any change. Well in my experience this works but not with the mere recital of some words. There’s a foundation of psychology that supports the concept, and it’s rooted in empowering ourselves through targeted, positive statements. These affirmations which you choose because they resonate with you are essentially you being your own cheerleader, reminding you of your worth and capabilities.
Now, self-affirmations are closely related to the idea of self-compassion. They allow us to be kind and forgiving to ourselves, especially when we mess up or face difficulties. Positive Psychology, a substantial resource found at positivepsychology.com, extensively discusses the benefits of self-compassion and how it helps individuals maintain a healthy sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
It is worth noting that there are several ways to get self-affirmations to work, my favourite is looking into the mirror and in my eyes, whilst imagining an image of my little self as I recite my affirmations. It’s also important to understand that regularly using self-affirmations can gently steer your mindset towards positivity. When you look in the mirror each morning and affirm your value, you’re not just trying to make yourself feel good; you’re nudging your brain to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses. Over time, this can reshape how you view yourself and the world around you.
So, when properly done, you can see how by incorporating self-affirmations into your life, you’re doing more than repeating comforting phrases; you’re laying a positive psychological groundwork for stronger self-worth.
My Personal Story
My journey to becoming a life coach started with me seeking out a life coach of my own to help me navigate a very dark period of my life. In my sessions, we came to a discovery that the root cause of my unhappiness was my lack of self-worth. So being armed with a number of practical steps and tools I started working on finding myself again and building my self-worth. Being a Christian I found some biblical verses that resonated with me alongside affirmations from Louise Hay. I wrote these on post-its and placed them on my bathroom mirror, my wardrobe doors and my bedside table.
I looked in the mirror in the mornings and evenings. In the start it was very hard I couldn’t look myself in the mirror so I decided to pretend I was speaking to the little me inside – my inner child whenever I recited my affirmations. Slowly it got easier and I started feeling better about myself. One powerful one that I used and still use which always works at counteracting self-doubt and imposter syndrome is – I am fearfully and wonderfully made. This practice has been my rock in building a healthy relationship with myself.
Crafting Effective Self-Worth Affirmations
Self-worth affirmations can be as simple as my intro or as complicated as writing a whole paragraph to recite. However, we will now explore turning the concept of affirmations into a practical tool for enhancing your self-worth. In light of this let’s define how to tailor affirmations to your life in the most impactful way.
To start with, let’s talk about what makes an affirmation resonate and choose something that resonates with you, personally. Affirmations resonate when one can build an emotional connection to what it stands for. When you want to work on an aspect of your life and find words/phrases that you connect with on that subject this is what you can create your affirmation about. Affirmations, though very common are personal to a high degree because in order for them to work they can’t just be about reciting clichés, but rather about creating phrases that genuinely reflect your aspirations and values.
You might be wondering how to start. According to positivepsychology.com, an effective affirmation is first and foremost believable. It’s crafted in the present tense and focuses on the positive attributes you want to embrace or cultivate. Always aim for statements that begin with ‘I am’, ‘I can’, or ‘I will’.
Here are a few of my favourite daily affirmations that have helped me on my journey
I am worthy
I am enough
I am worthy of respect and acceptance
I will embrace my unique qualities
These affirmations are rooted in the notion of inherent personal value, a cornerstone of self-worth.
There’s a lot of opportunity in making these affirmations a part of your daily life and if these do not resonate with you come up with your own or get my top 20 here. You can always adjust your approach down the road, but starting simple can be powerful. Try incorporating them into morning routines, during commutes, or in the times of day when negative self-talk typically arises.
In my opinion, consistency is key. Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last. Regular repetition of your tailored affirmations can reinforce their message in your subconscious, effecting gradual yet substantial change in your self-perception and, in turn, your self-worth.
Overcoming Challenges and Measuring Success
In my opinion, understanding and enhancing your self-worth can be a challenge. You’re going to encounter days when the affirmations seem like just words and doubt creeps in. Don’t worry too much about this it’s all part of the process.
However, I’d encourage you to choose a method to gauge your progress one that is more or less tangible. Maybe you keep a journal where you note your emotional state each day, or perhaps you prefer a more structured approach, with set check-ins to reflect on your journey. Some practical advice here: don’t aim for a radical overnight transformation.
Instead, look for subtle signs of improvement in your self-dialogue and reactions to stress. Watch your thoughts about what you think of yourself. Are they still the same or do you immediately catch yourself when it turns to negative thoughts and do you see and value your strengths and limitations better now? These can all be signs of the change that is happening.
Now what is essential is using self-compassion as your safety net. Self-compassion in affirming yourself isn’t just about being kind to yourself when you succeed; it’s about maintaining that kindness even when you falter. Treat yourself with the same empathy and grace you’d offer a dear one.
Summing It Up
In this article, we’ve explored the use of self-affirmations to build and nurture our self-worth through the power of positive thinking and with my own experience. Remember, the goal isn’t to eliminate negative thoughts entirely; that’s an unrealistic expectation for any human being. The strategy I like to leverage is acknowledging those thoughts, understanding where they come from, and responding with affirmations that resonate with me.
Your first attempt doesn’t need to be your last. You can always adjust your approach down the road, and you will need to refine your affirmations and how you utilize them with every phase of your life. What’s vital is persistent effort and the belief in the power of positive change.
Thank you for reading and I really hope that you have had value from the ideas shared. If you have any questions or experiences to share I’d be happy to have you share them in the comments.
Love & Light
Sheila Daisy
