The Power of Positive Affirmations: How to Create Your Own and Use Them for Personal Development

I’ve been on and off utilizing affirmations for over a decade now. I first learned about the power of positive affirmations in high school and, since then, have had spurts of writing encouraging quips on PostIt’s, leaving them in places I often see — to the side of my laptop mouse pad, on my bathroom mirror, inside the cupboard where I keep my dishwasher detergent — and repeating them upon waking.

During those spurts, I always noticed an uptick in my mood; it wasn’t magic. Significant research shows that self-affirmation activates the reward center in your brain, which then releases dopamine, reinforcing the positive thought. 

Successful people have long been preaching the power of a positive mindset. Think Oprah Winfrey, Jim Carrey, Lizzo, etc., but no, you don’t need a meditation closet a la Drew — though, now I really want one. All you need is a piece of paper and a pen.

Let’s dive in.

How to Create Your Own Positive Affirmations

1. To create your own affirmations, you must identify what areas of your life you’d like to focus on. Perhaps you’re wanting to call in new career opportunities, more love for your body, or a hilarious friend that enjoys going to the movies. Write down your main focus at the top of the page.

2. Next, write affirmations that support the new beliefs you’re looking to instill. Be sure only to use present tense statements. 

Example: I am worthy of joy and experience it daily.

3. Take a few minutes to sit with any uncomfortable emotions or limiting beliefs that arose as you wrote. It’s completely normal for uneasy feelings to come up. 

4. Now, flip those feelings upside down and write a contradictory affirmation. 

Example: “I could never work at X! Why would they hire me?” can become “I am smart, motivated, and insightful. Any company is lucky to have me on their team!”

5. Once you have an amount you feel good about, choose 3-5 you’ll work with in the coming weeks. Display these places you’ll often see, like your work area, your phone background, or above your kitchen sink. 

Repeat these affirmations to yourself as you see their reminders, upon waking, and when having any contradictory thoughts.

Through repeating these affirmations, your brain will create new neural pathways making it easier to access these thoughts, and the hope is that eventually, your brain will access these thoughts much easier than any unaligned former beliefs.

Hoping to gain some affirmation inspiration? Here are some affirmations I’ve used + enjoy.

1. I create the life of my dreams every day.
2. My body is a gift and she carries me with love.
3. All that I seek is seeking me too.
4. I get healthier and wealthier every day. 
5. I am worthy of the love I receive and receive it often + well.
6. I enter rooms with charisma and grace.
7. I am lucky to venture into the unknown.
8. I am my own safe place.
9. Incredible growth is happening at this very moment.
10. Exciting career opportunities enter my life with ease + grace.
11. Every time I stand up for what I believe in, I encourage others to do the same.
12. Tapping into my creative flow is my birthright + I do so daily.
13. The Universe is always supporting me.
14. I am a capable person who knows what she wants.
15. I speak with kindness, and kindness is given to me.
16. I accept comfort with open arms. 
17. I get paid for being me.
18. What’s meant for me is on its way.
19. I grow through what I go through.
20. With each deep breath, I sink into peace. 

If a specific affirmation here stuck out to you, feel free to see if I’ve made it into a phone wallpaper here and download for a quick boost when your phone flips on. 

Have you practiced positive affirmations before? Will you now? Let me know what your experience has been with them in the comments!