Affirmations for Self Confidence

Building and maintaining self-confidence has been a struggle for many people long before students in my fifth grade class realized my name “Joi” rhymed with “boy”. Since that time my body, as well as my tolerance for opinions on my appearance, may have changed but the struggle to maintain self confidence still shows up in different areas. As a new graduate (can I still use that term at this point?) navigating the workspace as both a provider and a coworker has been challenging. As someone living in a new city, that sometimes awkward processes of making adult friendships doesn’t always scream “confidence” either. One of the easiest tools to build & maintain self confidence is using affirmations.

There’s typically one of two ways people feel about using affirmations. On one hand there are people who use them as a vital part of their everyday and on the other hand people think they’re pretty corny. If you’re still in the space of thinking they’re corny, I invite you to meet me in the middle. I don’t exactly fill my vanity with Post Its like Mary Jane, but I find the use of affirmations to be especially helpful in the moments that I begin to doubt myself or when the opinions of others seem very loud. 

Finding What You Need

The best way to find impactful affirmations is by being honest with yourself. What do you specifically need? What are the areas that you still struggle with? You don’t have to be loud or broadcast your answer to everyone, but it does have to be honest. I can use all 1,000 affirmations on Pinterest that are written for college students, but unless I’m planning on going back to school anytime soon they will be just pretty words that mean nothing. That’s why I’ve found the most success by creating my own.

Creating Your Own Affirmations

• Step 1: Brainstorm. Back to that honesty we talked about. Think about the thing you wish someone would tell you. Think about the thing that would make you feel good if your mom, old boss, or spouse was the one to say it.
• Step 2: Jot down a rough list of the things that came to your mind during step 1. In the words of Mattie James, “It doesn’t have to be deep it just has to be deliberate.”
• Step 3: Change your language. Make sure you language is positive. Change “I will” to “I am”. Use words that make you feel good. You’re basically talking to yourself & we talk to ourselves nice, right?
• Step 4. Whether you have a list of 20 and rotate them throughout the month or have a core 5 or 6, put them to use! Some people start their morning with an affirmation and others, like me, pull them out during tough situations. There’s no right way to do. Find what works best for you.

Final Affirmation

If you need a little inspiration getting started, let me be the one to affirm you girl!

Your life is meaningful.

Other people are better because you are around.

You radiate light and love.

You make your decisions with well intent.

You are creating a life full of purpose and joy.