As the holiday season approaches, stress hits, and comparisons increase, it is important to practice daily self-care. This may also be a season where individuals don’t feel “good enough.” When this thought pattern is present, individuals have a desperate need to feel better, and may turn to unhealthy forms of relief (e.g., plastic surgery, drinking, having sex, dieting, excessive shopping). The problem is that these tactics are not a cure and never last. As silly as it may sound, self-affirmations work and can stop the negative old spiral of unhelpful self-talk. It is normal to feel silly in the beginning, but trust the process as the natural, positive impact is experienced.
Stand in front of the mirror while stating affirming self-statements. Take a few deep breaths and relax your body and mind. Repeat each statement two or three times, slowly. Practice really embracing and feeling the statement and letting the negative thought float down the stream. This is an art and a science as you consistently redirect your mind to the positive self-affirming statement.
“If I wasn’t different, I wouldn’t be me”
“I accept all of me just as I am”
“When others do well, I am happy for them and do not use this to mean that they are more valuable than me.”
“Difficult moments don’t make me a difficult or bad person.”
“Criticism doesn’t define me.”
“The strengths of others do not make me less worthwhile.”
“I am okay in this moment just as I am”
“I don’t need to be more of anything, this is enough.”
“I am enough.”
“I can make room for these difficult feelings and still love myself.”
“I can learn from this and am able to improve.”
“I have worth during setbacks. “
“I can experience rejection or criticism without questioning my worth as a human being.”