Affirmations

Our brain – the powerhouse

The human brain is a truly complex thing. It is, perhaps, our greatest strength as well as our greatest weakness. The thing about it is – it can convince itself of anything and that’s what affirmations are all about. Someone who has a deep understanding of the human brain and the psychology behind it, can achieve just about anything, and convince anyone of anything. A friend once told me “A psychologist can trick a scientist into believing anything,” and that’s when it hit me; our minds create our reality.

The truth behind the actuality

Regardless of what actually exists, our perception shapes our version of what we think is the truth, the “actuality” of a situation. While this power can be maneuvered and misused by people, we can also positively harness this power to our advantage. More specifically, we can use affirmations to boost self-esteem, build up confidence, and create a more fulfilling and rapturous life for our self, day by day.

What are affirmations?

Affirmations are a powerful tool, that have been shown to bring about great change in the lives of people suffering from body image issues, problems with self-confidence, low self-esteem, overthinking, etc. 

Starting your day with affirmations

Affirmations are a great way to start your morning. When you wake up in the morning, you can choose to either dread waking up, shut off your alarm angrily, cursing under your breath, or you can wake up joyfully, welcome the day ahead with open arms, gratitude and a positive attitude.

When you wake up in the morning and look at, hear, or see something positive, it sets a motivated and blissful tone for the rest of the day. So, when you wake up in the morning and tell yourself that you’re happy, that this is going to be the best day ever and that you’re so blessed, you step into that vibration. You start to manifest that reality of being blessed and happy, because to the brain, reality is what you tell it to be. Truly, doesn’t it seem magical to just say something, and then witness it become a reality?

Why to use affirmations?

As a matter of fact, studies conducted by several established faculties have proven that the physical act of smiling can boost our mood. It triggers the release of certain “happiness chemicals” in our brain that tricks us into believing that we are, and thus, becoming happy. Similarly, when you fake confidence, you actually start to feel more confident, and that is the magic of the brain. When we repeat the same thing over and over, it reinforces the neural pathways. We begin to remember it. It gets embedded into our subconscious thinking and starts to shape our perception, our worldview, and our reality.

The deeper relevance of this understanding

Having become aware of this, we can also begin to notice certain underlying reasons behind the way we think of, or react to particular situations or people. For example, we may have heard a few close friends or family members talk ecstatically and excitedly about a new brand. You hear several people say the same thing about the brand. So, the next time you will see a product of that brand on a supermarket shelf, you will already have formed an opinion about it. Having heard positive reviews over and over, you will already be convinced that it is a good brand, and thus, a good product.

Positive thinking via daily affirmations

The power of positive thinking is no secret. Daily affirmations are a great way of bringing about lasting, long-term changes in the way you think and feel. In specific cases, you can even use affirmations to bring about changes in particular areas or break out of certain negative thought patterns. For example, affirmations for manifesting good health may include “I am a magnet for positive and healthy energy”, “I enjoy existing in a natural state of well being”, “Every cell in my body is thriving”, “I have the ability to cope”, or “I feel healthier everyday.”

Similarly, a person looking to overcome body image issues can use affirmations such as “My worth is not determined by my body”, “My body’s differences are unique and deserve to be celebrated”, “I will treat my body with respect”, or “I will not compare my body with others.”

The flip side of affirmations

Affirmations have grown to become popular and widely-accepted. A quick google search will allow you to look at a large number and variety of affirmations for just about anything. However, we must take note that in the same way that we can use affirmations to bring about a positive change, it can be used just as easily to slip into negative thought patterns.

When you tell yourself everyday that you’ll never be able to amount to anything, or that you can’t do something, or that you‘ll never be as good as that person, you start to believe in it, and you start to experience it. As Henry Ford once said:

Whether you believe you can or you cannot, either way you’re right.

Henry Ford

Conclusion

Indeed, our thoughts create our reality. So, the next time you catch yourself stuck in a repetitive and negative thought pattern, recognize and acknowledge it. And then, consciously work towards breaking the habit and breaking out of the pessimistic and detrimental train of thought.

Word of caution

However, please keep in mind that negative thought patterns and low self-esteem may actually be indications of mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. In such cases, one must seek professional help.

Editor’s Note:

You may also want to read about how ‘Uncertainty Should Ignite Creativity and Not Complacency‘ and how to use perception to create a platform for innovation and fuel evolution, by the same author Tanvee Maheshwari.

About The Author

As a create-a-preneur, Tanvee Maheshwari is passionate about creating and sharing knowledge that helps people align with their innate potential.

She enjoys learning and honing her skills across diverse domains, including Psychology, Public Speaking and Entrepreneurship. She is also a budding Voice Over Artist and Content Creator.